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StepUP^庐 at 海角社区 is one of the original handful of collegiate recovery programs in the United States. At its 25th anniversary, it鈥檚 also one of the largest and most comprehensive.

Several factors account for the program鈥檚 success over time, including the residential facility in Oren Gateway Center, on-staff chemical dependency counselors, and strong connections to Minnesota鈥檚 recovery networks. But ask students, staff, and supporters what makes StepUP more than the sum of its parts, and one answer comes up every time.

The magic is in the community.

The number of U.S. collegiate recovery programs has grown to nearly 150 in the years since Augsburg joined Rutgers, Texas Tech, and Brown University in starting its own program. But it鈥檚 still unusual for an institution of Augsburg鈥檚 size to operate a program on the scale of StepUP. Rarer still is the level of financial support donors have provided to ensure the program鈥檚 sustainability.

Early on, StepUP leadership set an ambitious goal to raise a $10 million endowment to provide funds for staff salaries and programming costs into the future. Augsburg reached this fundraising milestone in 2022 thanks to the generosity of supporters and alumni. Now, staff are focused on expanding philanthropic support for critical student needs, including tuition and housing.

鈥淔or young people in recovery, living in a residential community like StepUP can make all the difference, but it鈥檚 a big financial commitment,鈥� said Martha Truax 鈥�16 MAL, director of leadership gifts for StepUP. 鈥淕oing forward, we want to be able to provide more tuition support and housing stipends so that students don鈥檛 have to face a choice between paying for college and staying sober.鈥�

Director Ericka Otterson 鈥�15 MSW returned to Augsburg to lead StepUP in January, having previously worked as a StepUP administrator and chemical dependency counselor from 2007 to 2014. Under her leadership, the program will also explore new partnerships with local colleges and universities鈥攊ncluding the University of Minnesota鈥攖o reach more students.

鈥淒espite increasing need, not every school can afford to build its own collegiate recovery program from scratch,鈥� Otterson said. 鈥淔or institutions in the metro area, StepUP can help.鈥�

A recently finalized agreement with the University of St. Thomas allows students to live in Oren Gateway Center and participate in StepUP programming while still attending classes at their home institution. With a caring support network on Augsburg鈥檚 campus and more than 800 program alumni, they鈥檒l be in good company.

鈥淎 lot has changed in 25 years,鈥� said Nell Hurley, recruitment and outreach manager. 鈥淏ut StepUP is still doing what we set out to do: To create a community of students who are in this together and supporting each other. That鈥檚 what makes it work.鈥�

StepUP will hold its 25th anniversary gala with emcee Don Shelby on May 13 at the Radisson Blu hotel in Bloomington. For tickets and more information, visit the StepUP website.

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Top image: StepUP students pose in Murphy Square. (Photo by Courtney Perry)