Established in 2004, A Step 2 Success is a 501 C 3 public charity that supports young people in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. through giving educational grants and opportunities for self improvement. We help ordinary kids who need assistance in achieving some extraordinary results. Most of us can relate to ordinary, because most of us did not qualify for sports or academic scholarships. We can all relate to ordinary kids!

WHY SHOULD YOU SUPPORT THIS CHARITY?

Because our charitible work is completely underwritten by Aarsand Management Company, 100% of every dime raised goes to help youth. Our promise to you is that zero, zilch, nada...not one cent of your money goes to our administration costs. The money that you give us is given away to help young people improve their lives!

A Step 2 Success thanks those who support our work as a 501 C 3 public charity through your gifts!

We invite you to make an investment in helping a young person change his/her life! We are honored to use your charitable gifts and ask you to trust that your money will be well spent.

Thank you once again for your support.

This public charity is under the direction of the Rev. Torben G. Aarsand, an ordained clergyman of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Aarsand received his B.A. (History and Religion) from Lynchburg College, Lynchburg Virginia in 1974, and his Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in 1978.

With 30 years of experience in the congregational setting, Torben has expanded his love for young people by creating this foundation with his family’s support.

He administers all aspects of this charity, including hosting fund raising events and seeking corporate and individual donor support. He also makes selection of the grantees and maintains a mentoring relationship with them throughout their relationship as grantees.

HOW A STEP 2 SUCCESS locates youth and works with them:
Young people may come to us through many different ways; however the primary way is usually through learning about us through school or by word of mouth.

If a young person thinks he or she might benefit from a financial grant, they are welcome to email the office. To contact the executive director, please email: torben@aarsand.com

WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY?
If you are a student and you would like to learn a skill outside of your regular school program (lessons of some kind) and you need financial support to do that, you may apply.

or

If you are about to graduate from High School, or are a graduate, and want to take some educational classes, you may apply.

or

If you are an older youth and college is not something you desire, but you do want to learn a skill, you may apply.

WHAT is REQUIRED in order to APPLY?
A young person is not required to have great grades to receive support and financial help from us. The key reasons for asking for support should be one’s financial need, and one’s commitment to trying to improve life. For example, if you are the first in your family to try to get a college education, and both parents are not college-educated, you may apply. Or, perhaps your goals are lofty and you just need the help to move forward, you may also apply. Or perhaps you dropped out of school, and now realize you want to do better, you may also apply.

Please note that applicants must live in certain areas. See Geographic Restrictions.

GRANTEE SUPPORT – Once a student is admitted as a grantee, Torben Aarsand regularly seeks to support and mentor that grantee. This is done via phone, email, and during personal visits. He regularly reviews academic and other progress and encourages grantees to work hard toward improvement. If deficiencies arise, grantees are given opportunities to improve. In the event that more help is needed, Rev. Aarsand finds that help.

GRANTEE EXPECTATIONS - Grade reports are reviewed each semester. Grantees are expected to give an annual report of their progress, goals, and needs at the end of the academic year. Students are also asked to participate in fund raising, as they are able. The grantees are also expected to represent A STEP 2 SUCCESS occasionally, via interviews for the A STEP 2 SUCCESS Newsletter, by their presence at events, and other ways, as well.

There is no obligation to PAY BACK Financial support given. It is expected however that grantees who have succeeded in meeting life goals and who have improved their lives, will, however PAY it FORWARD in some way. Financially supporting A STEP 2 SUCCESS in order to help others improve their lives, is hoped for, but not expected.