(1888PressRelease)
April 18, 2008 - The stepUP foundation was founded in 2002 by successful businesswoman Ryll Burgin after she completed the Self-Expression and Leadership programme with Landmark Education; a programme which is designed to coach people in setting up projects which make a difference in their communities. The first stepUP workshop took place just three months after the foundation was formed, with 227 Teens and 45 Coaches attending. As of the start of 2008, over 6,000 teens have since attended a stepUP programme, which have expanded throughout Australia, New Zealand, and as of this year, the UK.
At stepUP events, teens and their ‘Coaches’ – successful business people who act as mentors for the 2 days – listen to inspirational speakers who are highly successful in their fields. Whether music, sport, business or other areas – one commonality remains – all stepUP speakers have come from poverty or have overcome some major adversity. To ensure they take on what they’ve heard, teens are put into groups of 7 to 10 and work with their Coach to apply what they’ve heard from the stepUP speakers to their life – school, home, family – and futures.
stepUP Foundation will hold 12 events around the world in 2008 – across Australia, New Zealand with a minimum of two set for success in the UK this year. 25 events are planned around the world in 2009 – seeing stepUP continue its work in Australia and New Zealand while expanding to South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore and even further across the UK including Ireland and Scotland. This means stepUP will reach and work with approximately 8,000 teens this year alone, and a further 18,000 in 2009.
As stepUP has grown and thrived it has received recognition and support from a number of different organizations. The XL Results Foundation, the world’s leading entrepreneur and social enterprise network, named stepUP Foundation its charity of choice, meaning XL Events donates 10% of its profits to stepUP Foundation each year. Another successful Australian company, 10X, also co-founded by Ryll Burgin, donates 10% of its profits and $10,000 of every upfront sale to stepUP. 10X makes a difference in the small to medium sized business arena – helping business owners across Australia and New Zealand grow their business significantly and improve their quality of life. Of course, more sponsorship means stepUP can make a difference to and reach more teens, sooner – so the stepUP team are seeking further global and local partners.
For more information, please go to http://www.stepupfoundation.com or http://www.stepupfoundationuk.org/ourpurpose.html.
Media Contact:
Shane McLucas
Tel: 61- 414 656 428
Email: shanem ( @ ) stepupfoundation dot com
