Stepping Stones

Stepping Stones was a program tailored for women from refugee, migrant and asylum seeking backgrounds and any women over 50. It provided opportunities for women to achieve financial wellbeing through starting a business, finding employment, training pathways, mentoring and support.

After 15 years, and helping thousands of women our much-celebrated Stepping Stones program is coming to an end, but its legacy will continue for some time. 

Since 2009, the Stepping Stones program has supported over 2,000 women achieve financial independence through business and employment, many (59%) earning an income as a result. Developed in response to a group of women from refugee backgrounds who wanted to start small businesses, it was funded by the Victorian Government in 2011 and has gone onto enable participants to start businesses, find employment, access training pathways, and receiving mentoring and support. 

Since this time, it has changed lives, helping women fulfill their dreams of running their own businesses. It’s also provided social connection and guidance, whether in education or employment. “We saw that amazing things happen when you put a group of women together. They inspire and support each other in a way that is transformative,” said Marta Kreiser, Stepping Stones Program Manager. 

From July 2024, the Stepping Stones program will conclude but its legacy will be carried on. The program’s strongly tested and evidenced elements will be incorporated into BSL’s other programs that aim to support women’s economic security. Some of our evaluations are available on our website- just search ‘Stepping Stones evaluation’ to learn more. 

Thank you to the dedicated staff, skilled volunteers, and inspiring women who made the program successful. We’d also like to thank our partners and funders- Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council, City of Yarra, AMP Foundation, Ecstra Foundation, Hume Council and the Office for Women. 

We hope you enjoy a short video highlighting the wonderful contribution the program has made to so many women and volunteers.