Manley Helps Neighbor Donate Household Appliances to Stepping Stones’ Recovery Home for Women with Children

JOLIET, Ill. – State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, joined her neighbor, Chris Springer, in delivering household items to Stepping Stones’ Recovery Home for Women with Children. Springer — and her family of eight children and 10 siblings, the Shanklands, — gifted the home with toasters, coffee pots and other items in lieu of exchanging Christmas gifts amongst themselves.

The Recovery Home for Women with Children is an 8-unit apartment building that provides a structured, supportive living environment free of alcohol and other drugs for women with a substance abuse disorder and their children up to age five. It is located in Joliet, near the site of Stepping Stones’ existing residential treatment services location that will be staffed 24-hours a day.

“We couldn’t do this without people stepping up,” said Paul Lauridsen, current executive assistant and former executive director, praising Springer and her family.

This is the second year in a row that Springer and her family have donated their Christmas gifts to the home.

When looking for a worthy recipient for the family’s Christmas idea, Springer credits Rep. Manley for suggesting Stepping Stones.

“This is the gal who got it all started for me,” said Springer of Rep. Manley.

The Stepping Stones’ Recovery Home for Women with Children is the only facility of its kind in Northern Illinois that has a program for up to eight months, said Rabbi Jenny Steinberg-Martinez, executive director. It allows women to spend the formative years with their children while they stay clean, and the children stay out of the system.

“What Stepping Stones offers is a safe, warm, comfortable place for women to get healthy while keeping families together,” Rep. Manley said. “Chris Springer and her family are wonderfully generous to give so much to help these women.”

The Springer and Shankland families’ donation included a carload of coffee pots, toasters, kids dinnerware sets, a Build a Bear and more. Each apartment is newly renovated, with a master bedroom, children’s bedroom, stocked kitchen, furniture, bedding and linens.

“Mothers take responsibility for a daily routine that includes caring for themselves and their children, practicing daily living skills, participation in recovery support and treatment groups, going to work or other meaningful activity, furthering their education and becoming financially self-supporting,” according to the Stepping Stones Treatment Center brochure.