Stepping Stones
Stepping Stones is a program tailored for women from refugee, migrant and asylum seeking backgrounds and any women over 50. It provides opportunities for women to achieve financial wellbeing through starting a business, finding employment, training pathways, mentoring and support.
Financial wellbeing is key to women’s security and safety
PLEASE NOTE:
Applications for the Stepping Stones Program is now open to Women from Victoria who are from CALD backgrounds and women over 50yrs born in Australia. Session details below.
Victoria wide (Online Sessions)
Empowerment Program Online
- 1st August - 30th August 2023
- Online - Time commitment is one day a week (Either, Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays)
- 10:00am - 2:00pm
Small Business Taster Program
- Weekly each Wednesday
- 6th and 13th September
- 10:00am - 2:00pm
Small Business Program
- Weekly each Monday
- 2nd October - 20th November
- 10:00am - 2:00pm
Online Business Training extra support through tutorials - optional
- Weekly each Wednesday
- 4th October to 15th of November
- 9:30am - 11:00am
Download the upcoming Stepping Stones Schedule (Winter/Spring 23)
To register please complete the Stepping Stones form
Stepping Stones offers participants the opportunity to learn in an environment which is supportive, gender aware, friendly and actively reduces the barriers that prevent women from mainstream business training. English as an additional language (EAL) is supported.
For more information, get in touch with the team at steppingstones@bsl.org.au
To register for our programs, please click on the ‘apply now’ button below. If you have any questions please contact Linet on 0490 288 058 .
Mentoring
We are not currently recruiting for volunteer mentors. If you are interested in future rounds of recruitment, please contact
Find out how to become a Stepping Stones mentor .
What our participants say
The most important thing I learned from the program was to believe in myself. I am making my own money, I have financial independence and feel socially connected.
Giovanna
One of the things I liked about the program is that they did not push any of us to start a business. They encouraged us to look at other pathways, such as employment and education, depending on our individual circumstances.
Bahati
It wasn't easy to get a job in Australia without having any local work experience. Stepping Stones has always supported me ... made me believe and trust myself, and helped me become an independent woman. All my life I will be thankful for how this course has changed me.
Reema
Want to support a Stepping Stones business?
Visit our business directory to order catering, or purchase goods.
Financial partners
The Stepping Stones program is funded by:
- Victorian Government - Office for Women and
- Hume Council
We acknowledge the enormous contributions made by our many volunteer mentors and corporate partners.