Ross leaving Stepping Stone
Posted May 14, 2013 07:17:32 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A well-known voice for sex trade workers in the Halifax area is leaving her job as executive director of Stepping Stone.
Rene Ross announced on social media Monday night that she was leaving the group in an effort to ensure that there would be enough funding left for others at the outreach group to continue to do their work.
“Effective today, I will no longer be employed with Stepping Stone,” Ross wrote on her Facebook timeline. “As many of you know, there have been significant challenges with funding that began last September and hopes for other funding did not come through. Moreover, the remaining staff are delivering critical programming that program users depend on for their health and safety.”
“Those programs…must be protected at all costs. I am hopeful that the savings the organization will accumulate by eliminating the ED position will allow the staff to carry on with their crucial work,” said Ross.
“I will continue to support the staff and program users and will provide any support required by the Board in this challenging time. Stepping Stone is my heart, the staff are the amongst the best I have ever worked with, and the program users have taught me more than I could ever dream of learning in a university or from a book – because those impacted by policy are the true experts for change.”
Ross ended the post by saying she isn’t sure what’s in store for her next, but she will continue to be an advocate for human rights.
Stepping Stone was founded in 1987 and according to the agency’s website is the only organization in the Maritimes that deals specifically with street life and sex work from a harm reduction model. Many of the staff members are former sex-workers.
