About Us
A STEP CLOSER FOUNDATION, INC. is a result and vision of attorneys Kendra Randall Jolivet and Yolanda F. Sonnier, partners of Randall & Sonnier, LLC. a law firm which represents children in abuse and neglect cases in Baltimore City, MD and surrounding counties. Although the cases originate in Baltimore City, Randall & Sonnier has traveled to every county in the State of Maryland, as well as the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington D.C., Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Wisconsin and Missouri to visit and service their clients.
Through daily representation of children, Kendra and Yolanda became fascinated with the talents and potential of children, but found there were financial limitations to what the government could provide to foster the children’s abilities. Kendra and Yolanda’s office began to assist children with services such as filling out financial aid forms, job applications, college applications, and other government forms. Their law firm also paid for transportation for their clients staying on campus out-of-state to come home for breaks, prom expenses, singing lessons, clothes, and even underwear. They have given gifts to their clients for birthdays, graduations, going away to college, getting their first apartment and aging out of the foster care system.
With the formation of A Step Closer Foundation, Kendra and Yolanda continue to spread their missions to benefit children involved in the child welfare system throughout the state of Maryland and across the United States. In the future, they envision helping on a larger scale by providing funds for internships, visitation centers, camps, housing, and scholarships in addition to continuing the services previously mentioned.
A Step Closer Foundation Board Members
President: Yolanda F. Sonnier | Dissemination Chair: Judge Joseph H.H. Kaplan |
Finance Chair: Kendra Randall Jolivet | Secretary: Rhonda Lipkin |
Vice President: Adam S. Cohen | Board Member: Karen Hayward-West |