Steppin' Up and Steppin' Out!

Baylor University’s biannual service event, Steppin’ Out, is an all day event that will occur October 30 and consist of Baylor students and Alumni interacting and helping out the Waco community.  The event is completely free; volunteers are there to offer their hands and hard work in return for communal interaction.

Many projects involve painting
houses and walls

Steppin’ Out gives students the opportunity to literally “step out” and help their community in a variety of ways. From building wheelchair ramps, to painting homes, to picking up trash, and even giving a hand at animal shelters, Baylor students raise community awareness and interaction. Baylor Alumni also contribute to the cause, and participate in the event alongside the students. Other volunteers also partake in Steppin’ Out, all of which freely donate their time and energy to collaborate among their fellow Waco community.

Baylor sophomore Sterling Moore stated, "Steppin' Out is an awesome program. It provides an opportunity for people to help and have fun."

Because of Steppin’ Out’s commitment to service, the event has not only been nationally recognized, but also considered one of the largest community service projects on American college campuses. In past years, between 2,500 and 3,200 Baylor students and Alumni have sacrificed their time and volunteered at over 175 worksites around the town of Waco, Texas.

“I am a freshman here at Baylor Univeristy, and have heard all about this event. At first I wasn’t really sure what it was all about, but after talking to some of my older friends, I have never been so pumped up! I have already registered my team and am really excited to see what kind of project we will be assigned.” comments Taylor Bradford, 18.

Students cleaning up a local
resident's backyard

Steppin’ Out partners up with organizations like Keep Waco Beautiful, the City of Waco, and more than 140 local service agencies to work together and identify the needs of the community and people around Waco.

Steppin’ Out turned compassion into action in the spring of 1985 and had originated with a full week of events on the Baylor campus that built up to the day of community service around Waco. It progressed and eventually became a one-day event in 1989, occurring in both the fall and spring semesters.

By the year 1993, the project became officially known as an independent organization under the Department of Student Activities at Baylor University.

The event enables students to learn leadership and social responsibility while reaching out and interacting with local Wacoans. After the full day of service and hard work, a Block Party is thrown for the students and community members to celebrate the achievements of the day.

South Russell CL, Julie Phan, has contributed and been a part of Steppin'  Out for the past two years, and has enjoyed every minute of it. 

"I just loved it. To know that all of us here [at Baylor] are coming together as a community and in exchange helping our local community is rewarding in itself."

If you would like more information about Steppin’ Out, please feel free to call 254.710.3199 or contact Sonja P. Davidson (Co-Director) at Sonja_Davidson@baylor.edu.

If you are interested in registering and being part of this event, or if you are in need/know of a service project please email Steppin_Out@baylor.edu

*NOTE: deadline to register is Wednesday.

If you are interested in volunteering for the spring semester, the set date for Steppin' Out is April 19.