Prostitution is a way of life for many girls and women, boys and men in the Maritimes. The reasons for getting involved in prostitution vary. Many feel they have few options when they first begin and find it very difficult to go straight once they have worked the streets. Some come from abusive homes, some are runaways, all need money.
We don't preach and we don't try to save anyone. We do try to be there to offer friendship and support, to help make the streets a safer place, and to help those who decide to leave the streets do so.

We're Stepping Stone.

Mission Statement

Stepping Stone Association is a user directed non-profit organization that supports individuals involved in the sex trade by contributing to their health, safety and well-being.

Our program user are women or men, currently or formerly in the sex trade, and youth at risk of becoming involved in the sex trade.

Stepping Stone Philosophy

The Stepping Stone Association holds the philosophy that all individuals have the right to self-determination; that those who work as sex trade workers have the basic rights to safety and access to services regardless of their occupation; and that these individuals are entitled to social alternatives to the sex trade.

The Stepping Stone Program incorporates into its service delivery the knowledge that individuals who work as sex trade workers may chose to continue this occupation. Therefore, Stepping Stone does not interfere with or attempt to stop their work but rather assists in making their choices in life as safe as possible.

The Association and its programs are user directed. The goal is to empower individuals who use Stepping Stone to play an integral part in directing the activities of the Association and in determining the content, priorities and structure of the program through defining their own needs.

Our Guiding Principles:

      • To actively employ harm reduction strategies
      • To establish and maintain close contact with this program users
      • To offer immediate response to the needs of program users
      • To encourage program users to access existing services
      • To provide long term support to those formerly involved in the sex trade
      • To educate youth regarding issues surrounding the sex trade
      • To establish a self-help program, managed and operated by program users
      • T o improve public awareness of the health and safety issues of program users