Our Latest News

Thank you to SouthPark Magazine and Charlotte Five for sharing the Brave Step story. 

The always-fun Francene Marie show welcomed Brave Step on the show to discuss its Recycled Soles campaign. The interview aired on Kiss 95.1, 101.9, 104.7, 103.7 and Power98.  https://soundcloud.com/francenemarie/donate-your-shoes-to-brave-step

THE CHARLOTTE STORYTELLERS AND CATCH TEAM UP FOR A NIGHT OF PERSONAL STORIES AND IMPROV COMEDY, WITH PROCEEDS BENEFITTING BRAVE STEP AND SURVIVORS OF ABUSE.   PURCHASE TICKETS TODAY AT HTTPS://CATCH.THEATER/IMPROV-SHOWS?EID=26535.

The term “sistering” is the process of attaching a healthy piece of wood to a weakened or damaged floor joist in order to restore strength and stability. Sistering is a powerful metaphor in that it points to the type of relationships that are possible between women...

As #MeToo and #TimesUp Movements Create Awareness, Brave Step is Ready to Help Local Non-Profit Group Works to Support Those Impacted by Sexual Abuse CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Feb. 8, 2018) — As the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements have brought sexual assault and harassment to...

#GivingTuesdayCLT is Charlotte’s version of the global giving campaign.  Now in its fourth year, #GivingTuesdayCLT is a day for our community - families, businesses, students and others - to come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to...

On Sept. 19, Stanly News and Press reporter Shannon Beamon shared a beautiful recap of Brave Step's Coffee & Conversation event.  http://www.thesnaponline.com/news/beauty-in-brokenness-brave-step-steps-up/article_3e8a2012-9d47-11e7-85b9-33a15217deee.html

Join Brave Step Wednesday, Oct. 4 as the author of "Denial," Nanette Kirsch, walks us through the compelling story of David Wagner. David Wagner leads an enviable life. He is married with five children and achieved millionaire status before the age of 35. But,...

On an early summer morning, I moved around our tiny ranch house in New Jersey getting ready for work. I’m not sure how old I was, maybe 13. My dad opened our family-owned deli at five and came back for me a few hours later. My mom, a nurse for the elderly, left early,...

Coffee & Conversation – A Women’s Event Featuring Shari Braendel When women come together over coffee, passions are ignited, friendships strengthened, silly laughter ensues and life’s toughest challenges are tackled. Join us Saturday, Sept. 16 from 9 a.m. to noon...

David Wagner is living in denial. He survived childhood sexual abuse...at least he thought so. But like many survivors David is blind to the powerful effects still rippling in his adult life more than 30 years later. No one -- not his wife, his siblings, his...

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/north-carolina-law-says-women-cant-revoke-sex-once-its-started/539349367 

Vara’s Memory Vara sits at a bench in the park with her long brown highlighted with blonde hair blowing swiftly from the heavy breeze. She starts to have flashbacks again of a distant memory. The memory was deeply buried but lately she’s consumed by it. She thinks...

Kendra Scott is a brand and culture that authentically values giving back and making a positive difference in the community. Join Brave Step for an evening of shopping and fun as 20% of all proceeds benefit our mission to strengthen men and women impacted by sexual...

On April 29, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office is hosting a community forum on sexual abuse and the impact it has on our community. Please join us for this exciting event. 

Position: Clinical Director Status: Contract Position Timeline: Starting April 2017 Brave Step is seeking a contract clinical director to assist the nonprofit in its mission to strengthen men and women impacted by sexual abuse. The clinical director will be...

From Nov. 15-29, it's your opportunity to do good. Join #GivingTuesdayCLT to celebrate Brave Step along with more than 170 other local nonprofits and raise $8 million for our community! Here's how you can help: Make a gift of funds or goods to our men...

The talented and genuine Francene Marie Morris welcomed Brave Step Founder Crystal Emerick and LCSW Sarah DeMaison on the show to celebrate the nonprofit's second birthday and also to discuss what survivors face.  Don't miss this conversation! The interview aired...

Thanks to MRN Video Productions, Brave Step now has a fantastic tool to educate others on sexual abuse and bring awareness to our work. 

The Charlotte Checkers have given Brave Step a wonderful opportunity to share its mission and also raise funds in the process. For every $16 ticket sold, Brave Step receives $5. This is a great event for family, friends, colleagues, civic groups and more. Purchase...

If you are a woman impacted by sexual abuse, Brave Step will host its next Courageous Corner meetings where you will be safe, understood and supported in your journey. This is a safe place where community and inspiration are guaranteed. Monday, Nov. 7 from 6-7 p.m....

The V-Word By: Courageous Yoga Chick Vulnerability Do you know what that word means? I'm not entirely sure I understood vulnerability until I began trauma work with my therapist when I was 27 years old. Vulnerability is when we expose ourselves, our inner-most...

The easy question is where do I start? As Brave Step grows and creates a voice for itself, our team thought it was valuable to provide real-life; “straight from the horses” mouth commentary. So, it appears my blog is it for now. Abuse is no joke. It cripples you from...

If you’re reading this and you don’t know what it is like to recount traumatic memories with a therapist, I’m here to tell you that it is super stressful. It’s stressful for so many reasons. In particular, talking to someone about your memories of childhood sexual...

Powerless By Sarah DeMaison It is difficult to focus these days. Whether it is social media, the television, radio or even…oh look, a squirrel!! Our minds race away or our minds don’t go anywhere and simply race in circles. Some days we just do not know if we are...

If you are a woman impacted by sexual abuse, Brave Step will host its next Courageous Corner meetings where you will be safe, understood and supported in your journey. This is a safe place where community and inspiration are guaranteed. Monday, August 1 from 6-7 p.m....

The Competition By Sarah DeMaison Am I the only one who thinks “THERE IS NOT ENOUGH TIME IN THE DAY”? It is almost like running a race. Who are we racing with? Who are we competing with? Maybe consider stopping and looking around to see who the “competition” is and...

Brave Step will participate in the Charlotte Knights' Community Corner on Thursday, August 25. Stop by to say hello and enjoy the game. Address: 324 S. Mint Street, CharlotteTime: 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased...

Does Therapy REALLY work?! By Sarah DeMaison There are some people reading this who have seen a therapist, or two or even five before. Someone reading this might not “believe” in therapy. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. Someone reading this might be...

HOPE By Sarah DeMaison Even though there are billions of people in the world, it is so easy to just feel so alone. Feeling as though there is no one you can count on or no one who understands. Some people may not have any support such as family or friends and others...

Thanks to a generous grant from Reemprise Fund, Brave Step is taking a critical step in its development. Reemprise Fund is established at Foundation For The Carolinas and supports game-changing initiatives for visionary nonprofits employing a venture philanthropy...

Will Someone Please Just Tell Me WHY?! Have you ever had one of those days, or weeks, or months? April was stress awareness month, and I’ve got to be honest, I got in way over my head. I have been working on volunteering on writing a grant for my children’s elementary...

Brave Step is seeking a volunteer community outreach coordinator to assist the nonprofit in its mission to strengthen men and women impacted by sexual abuse. A community outreach coordinator will engage and educate our community from civic organizations to local...

Brave Step's advisory board member and psychologist Dr. Michael Yonkovig joined Time Warner Cable News to discuss Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the important options in...

On Tuesday, April 5 in celebration of Take Back The Night, Brave Step was honored to receive the 2016 Community Achievement Award from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Education Committee. It is an honor and tribute...

Brave Step is seeking a volunteer coordinator to assist the nonprofit in its mission to strengthen men and women impacted by sexual abuse. We seek a personable, organized and motivated professional who is passionate about the cause, has the ability to establish...

Mark your calendars for an important evening. UNC Charlotte's Take Back The Night event focuses on bringing awareness to sexual violence. 

If you are a woman impacted by sexual abuse, Brave Step will host its next Courageous Corner meetings where you will be safe, understood and supported in your journey. This is a safe place where community and inspiration are guaranteed. Monday, June 6 from 6-7 p.m....

If you are a man or woman impacted by sexual abuse, Brave Step will host its next Courageous Corner meetings where you will be safe, understood and supported in your journey. This is a safe place where community and inspiration are guaranteed. Monday, April 4 from 6-7...

If you are a man or woman impacted by sexual abuse, Brave Step will host its next Courageous Corner meetings where you will be safe, understood and supported in your journey. This is a safe place where community and inspiration are guaranteed. Monday, Feb. 1 from 6-7...

On Dec, 30, 2015, Brave Step had the opportunity to join WBTV Bounce TV to discuss the impact sexual abuse has on adults, what Brave Step can offer survivors and more.

Join Brave Step at the Charlotte Checkers game Jan. 23, 2016 The Charlotte Checkers have given Brave Step a wonderful opportunity to share its mission and also raise funds in the process. For every $16 ticket sold, Brave Step receives $5. This is a great event for...

Brave Step is seeking a research and evaluation volunteer with clinical and mental health experience to assist the nonprofit in its mission to strengthen men and women impacted by sexual abuse. The volunteer will work closely with the advisory board, leadership team...

Dear Supporters, Brave Step is participating in the second annual #GivingTuesdayCLT powered by SHARE Charlotte.  #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving. After the sales of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it’s a time to celebrate and encourage charitable...

North Carolina Statutes for Reporting Child Sexual Abuse By Seth H. Langson Many people in North Carolina think that all child sexual abuse must be reported. Unfortunately, that is not true. The confusion stems from the fact that there are two sections of Chapter 7B...

Survivors of abuse take many journeys during the healing process. Some are spiritual and others are not. Either way, healing is important. Take a few minutes to listen to two of Brave Step's volunteers as they share their spiritual testimony.