Meet Stephanie Scalise | Strides for Survivors inc, a 501c3 nonprofit

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie Scalise and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Strides for Survivors was the brainchild of my three daughters during a very difficult time in our family: my breast cancer diagnosis. While many families crumble when adversity is thrown their way, my family, specifically my daughters – ages: 11,13, and 15 at the time –  rallied together to give back to the community that helped me get back to being me. With so many breast cancer charities around the world, Strides for Survivors is unique in many ways. First, it was created by three preteen/teen girls, who wanted to offer others what their mother received, and that was exceptional, compassionate, and transformative physical therapy and care from the unique 18-year-old nonprofit organization TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation (myturningpoint.org) in Atlanta, Georgia. Secondly, the girls became a go-to resource for other kids with mothers diagnosed with breast cancer. And finally, the main purpose of Strides for Survivors is to not only raise money but to educate the greater community on the many survivorship services available following surgery to help breast cancer patients feel better faster and get back to the routines and activities of their daily lives. In the past five years since Strides for Survivors first launched –  the girls in conjunction with the help and support of the local community –  have been able to raise nearly $50,000 for TurningPoint and continue to regularly advocate for others in need. After hosting a virtual event this year due to Covid-19, we will return to an in-person walk around Chastain Park PATH in Atlanta on Saturday, February 5, 2022, as well as offer a virtual event for those living outside of the area. You may wonder what is the catalyst behind the success of Strides for Survivors, and in short it is the tireless commitment demonstrated by my three extraordinary daughters in terms of giving back to a community that gave so much to me when I needed it most. 


Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Aside from helping the girls with Strides for Survivors, I have a tutoring company, SS Educational Specialist, in Atlanta. I differ from all of the other tutoring practices – big and small –  by engaging the whole child – strengths and weaknesses alike. My motto is really helping the whole child gain confidence, and in turn improve their academics. Not only do I teach little ones to read and write, I continue to follow and assist them throughout their primary schooling and once they advance into their chosen secondary schooling. Not only do I provide academic support, but I become a constant resource for those families and their children as they develop and advance throughout their educational journeys. 


Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh my goodness, let me think as there are so many options. I’d start the day with a walk either to my local coffee shop, REV, in Smyrna, Georgia, or around the aforementioned Chastain Park’s PATH in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta. After that I’d look towards going shopping, whether it’s just for good food or knick-knacks in the local shops of Smyrna and nearby Sandy Springs.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

This is easy.  My shoutout goes to directly to my three absolutely fantastic daughters: Samantha, Lauren & Emilie. In February 2017, they launched Strides for Survivors Walk on the tail end my breast cancer journey. I was fortunate enough to cross paths with the nonprofit TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, a unique healthcare organization in Atlanta that supported my entire family throughout my post-surgery life. The support that TurningPoint gave me helped me get back to myself and made my recovery so much easier. Each of my three girls will say, “Giving back to the organization that gave us our mom back just seemed like the least we could do. The donations to TurningPoint allow other women and their families going through the physically demanding and mentally challenging journey of breast cancer by providing critical services such as physical therapy, massage therapy, nutritional counseling, emotional support, exercise classes, and educational programs. The funds raised by Strides for Survivor have enabled TurningPoint to provide complimentary programs and financial aid so that others can get back on their feet just like our mom did.” I am now five years cancer-free and the girls have quietly grown this walk into an enormous community event in Atlanta and have even incorporated Strides for Survivors into their college lives. They are working with their respective schools in hopes of seeing it expand into different events in three different states. To learn more please visit our website https://www.stridesforsurvivors.org

In closing, Strides for Survivors is a labor of love. My daughters took something so painful and disruptive and turned it into a beautiful nonprofit in order to give back. The joy they exhibit when they are helping others, especially children, deal with the life-changing aspects of a breast cancer journey is one of the most rewarding things I’ve seen them do. Breast cancer is so emotional for all involved and being a part of a community with so many individuals who have also been touched by breast cancer is a healing event for me. I’ve previous participated in one, two and three-day walks and to this day, I become extremely emotional upon being included in this courageous, uplifting community of fighters and thrivers. My recommendation is get involved in every way for that fits your family. Many simply like to be behind the scenes and contribute their time and money – my husband falls into that particular group – while others are comfortable being front and center, like my three daughters. Do whatever comes naturally and most importantly, brings you joy!

Website: www.stridesforsurvivors.org

Instagram: Stridesforsurvivors

Image Credits
Family photo outside: Aharon Hill Photo www.aharonhill.com info@aharonhill.com 404.771.3968