“On the instruction of the Governor of Saint-Petersburg, V.I. Matvienko, your appeal was reviewed. Organizing and conducting the International Arts Festival for children with limited capabilities will undoubtedly enable to attract the attention of the society to constructively-creative activities of this category of children as means of self-expression and self-realization, to enhance the development of socio-cultural rehabilitation, to support creatively talented children and youngsters with limited capabilities, and to assist in their more complete social adaptation within modern world.” (Vice-Governor of Saint-Petersburg, L.A. Kostkina)

“Organization of the international creative festival “Step Towards!” in order to support talented children with limited capabilities while promoting into social life toleration, friendship, concern for children welfare seems to us a highly noble and timely undertaking. With this festival our mega-polis, international from its foundation and called a cultural capital for a few centuries, will undoubtedly serve as an example for other cities and countries.” (Chairman of the St. Petersburg Social Council, member of the Social Chamber of Russia, A. Kozirev)

“The Department of Labor and Social Protection of the Citizens supports the initiative of conducting in St. Petersburg the First International Festival “Step Towards!” for children with limited capabilities which will promote the development of socio-cultural rehabilitation, support creatively talented children and youngsters, and attract the attention of specialists and broad public to problems associated with development of personality and more complete social adaptation of this special category of youth. The Department expresses its gratitude to the Fund for its active charitable work with handicapped, and is ready to continue cooperative efforts in this direction.” (Vice-Chairman of the Department of Labor and Social Protection of the Citizens, G.V. Kolosova)

“The Department of Culture of St. Petersburg supports your initiative in conducting in our city the First International Festival “Step Towards!” for the children with limited capabilities from 9 th and 12 th of March, 2008. Unification within joint creative programs healthy children and children with limited capabilities will attract the attention of broad public to the problems of the development of toleration in our country, development of personality and more complete social adaptation of this special category of youth.” (Vice-Chairman of the Department of Culture, V.Yu. Pankratov)

“The Department of Education supports the idea of conducting the Festival which would promote social rehabilitation, creative self-expression, and public acknowledgement of the artistic talents of the children with limited capabilities.” (Chairman of the Department of Education, O.V. Ivanova)

Taking into the account a high social importance of the project, the Department of the External Connections of St. Petersburg is ready to support the idea of conducting the Festival, and has included this project into the department's plan of activities for the year, 2008.” (Chairman of the Department of the External Connections, A.V. Prokhorenko).