Our Staff

A letter from the President

 

Reflecting back on 2010, it was a unique year.  It had a number of significant successes along with a challenge or too.

Step Up took big steps in 2010. In Hollywood, we completed purchase of our second property, a 32 unit motel on Sunset Blvd. near La Brea and we secured funding for a new outreach team to provide services to individuals who are the most chronically homeless and affected by mental illness on the streets of Hollywood. We owe great thanks to Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and the Hilton Foundation for their support of this effort. The outreach team will start in February and the motel project, which we now call Michael’s Village, will open this Spring. None of this would be possible without the great support of our wonderful friend and supporter, Aileen Getty.

September had my highlight of the year (or rather decade) with participation in the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) in New York. Our CGI commitment was presented on stage by President Clinton himself in recognition of our work to create some 200 units of permanent supportive housing in Hollywood in the next four years. Standing on stage next to him while he talked about the need to solve homelessness gave me goosebumps. So these days, we are really beginning to think of ourselves as based in Santa Monica and Hollywood.

Step Up was not immune the effects of the economic downturn, but it showed itself more in the slow payments by government entities. So like many, we felt the tight cash situation. I am grateful for the support of the many foundation and corporate and individual donors, old and new, who understood the challenge the recession posed for us. Many donors redirected their support from new programs to existing core programs, the basic needs of those we serve everyday. This was of immense help. We are particularly grateful to The Weingart Foundation for their support and commitment to what we do. Things improved considerably before the year was out and we weathered the storm - which was a big accomplishment.

Thanks to support from the City of Santa Monica, we acquired our fourth property there. In late December, we purchased 520 Colorado Blvd., within eyesight from Step Up on Fifth. in a couple of years, we plan to turn this property into 36 units of permanent supportive housing for individuals who are most chronically homeless and affected by mental illness on the streets of Santa Monica.

We are so grateful for the support of many.

— Tod Lipka

Step Up on Second Executive Team

President and Chief Executive Officer
Tod Lipka

Tod Lipka holds a M.P.A. degree and a M.S. from USC. With over 25 years in managing nonprofits, Mr. Lipka is a seasoned executive. He has led Step Up since 2001 and he was the initiator and impetus behind Step Up on Fifth and Daniel’s Village. He has seven years experience in development leadership and management and is the author of “Creating Affordable Housing for Individuals with Mental Illness, A Step by Step Guide”, funded by a grant from the Corporation for Supportive Housing.
contact Tod Lipka

Chief Operations Officer
Barbara Bloom, LCSW

As a seasoned mental health clinician, Ms. Barbara Bloom has over 15 years experience working in mental health settings. Ms. Bloom, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is the Chief Operating Officer of Step Up on Second and oversees clinical programs and operations of Step Up including Daniel’s Place. A member of the Executive Management Team, her responsibilities range from program development and planning, the hiring and supervision of Program Managers and Directors who oversee staff related to these programs (including staff psychiatrists) as well as related reporting procedures required for all programs. Ms. Bloom earned her B.A. at UCLA and her Master of Social Work at USC; she is also an Accredited Licensed Clinical Supervisor – for both students and interns earning hours for M.S.W. and M.F.T. and was an adjunct professor at USC School of Social Welfare. contact Barbara Bloom

Chief Financial Officer
Marlene Barkley

Ms. Barkley has over 20 years experience running Step Up on Second’s fiscal operations including all financial aspects of housing development including tax credit, HUD and local housing authority reporting and fiscal management.  Since 1986, she worked as the agency grew and developed their first housing project in Santa Monica for 36 low income supportive housing. She works closely on financial and human resource matters with the CEO and the Finance Committee. contact Marlene Barkley

Vice President of Development
Carolyn Baker, M.Ed.

Over the past 20 years, Ms. Baker has worked with numerous highly regarding human service agencies securing grant and private contributions throughout California and Arizona. Throughout her career as a senior development professional, she has secured millions of dollars through governmental, corporate, foundation, and private funders. Holding a Masters Degree in Organizational Development and a Community College Teaching Certificate, Baker’s work as both a consultant and fundraising executive has strongly benefited important LA area advocacy groups such as Western Center on Law and Poverty, and NAMI. Now as Vice President of Development, Baker directs the Annual Giving, Foundation Giving, and Major/Planned Giving fundraising activities of Step Up on Second. contact Carolyn Baker

Vice President of Vocational Services
Amy Stone

Amy Stone has been with Step Up on Second since 2004. She has 20 of years experience working in social services setting combined with an extensive background in food services, corporate restaurant training, and management. Amy attended Western Washington University and has a degree in Sociology/Criminology. At Step Up on Second Amy oversees all Vocational services including Fresh Start Market & Catering, the Served Meals Program, Job Training and Community Employment Development. contact Amy Stone

Step Up on Second Program Director
Aaron Criswell, M.A.

Mr. Criswell has been the Program Director at Step Up on Second for one year and the Team Leader of the Case Management Team at Step Up on Second for 7 years. As such, he is responsible for overseeing the Case Management and Member Services staff. Mr. Criswell also manages three City of Santa Monica contracts, including those for Dual Diagnosis and Shelter Plus Care Housing Assistance. Mr. Criswell received his M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Kentucky, and he is a Registered Psychosocial Rehabilitation Practitioner. Aaron comes to Step Up on Second after having been an integral team member of Portals Mental Health Rehabilitation Services, Boulder County Behavioral Health Program, Portals Partners, Canyon Acres Residential Center, and Mental Health Corporation of Denver, Colorado. contact Aaron Criswell

Housing Director
Lila Wiggs

Lila Wiggs is the Housing Director for Step Up on Second overseeing the planning, design, construction, and property management of our permanent housing communities. Her experience in special needs and supportive housing provides a comprehensive understanding of the role as owner, mental health provider, supportive services provider and property management agent. She has worked in special needs housing for public and private entities as an auditor, housing inspector, property supervisor, and compliance director. Her myriad of experience has made substantial contributions to the operations of these organizations, amidst tightening government regulations within the housing market. Ms. Wiggs holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Whittier College and has several affordable housing designations such as, CPM, HCCP, CSC, and FHC. Prior to working for Step Up on Second, she held various positions with Los Angeles Community Development Commission and the John Stewart Company. contact Lila Wiggs