Annual Report 2023
Emergency Assistance +
Personal Development
Step Forward’s Personal Development program offers a range of resources designed to empower individuals and families on their journey towards personal and financial wellbeing. From individual and family counseling to specialized workshops like parenting classes, anger management, and domestic violence programs, Step Forward provides a nurturing environment where individuals can grow and thrive.
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Recognizing the interconnectedness of personal and economic challenges, Step Forward’s Personal Development program is designed to address the holistic needs of its clients. The agency recognizes that economic stress can often take a toll on an individual’s mental health, impacting their mindset and overall wellbeing. By providing support through counseling and workshops, Step Forward aims to help individuals build resilience and develop the skills needed to navigate life’s challenges with confidence.
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In addition to its personal development offerings, Step Forward extends a helping hand to those facing immediate financial hardships through its emergency assistance programs. Thanks to federal funding and grants, Step Forward provides vital support to individuals and families in need, offering assistance with essential expenses such as rental, utility and internet payments. This assistance not only alleviates immediate financial burdens but also helps create a stable foundation from which individuals can focus on their personal and professional growth.
In 2023, Step Forward provided personal income tax preparation at no cost to
188
188
Cuyahoga County residents
In 2023,
48
Cuyahoga County residents prioritized their mental health and enrolled for Step Forward's counseling services
48
In 2023, Step Forward distributed
$10,656,996
to Cuyahoga County residents who qualified for rental assistance
Impact Highlight
Impact Highlight
Kalika's story...
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In June 2023, Kalika Pascol’s life took an unexpected turn. She lost her job, leaving her in a precarious financial situation.
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With rent due soon, her family found themselves in a state of anxiety and uncertainty. Kalika, who had worked in property management and helped dozens of other people receive rental assistance, now found herself struggling to pay the bills. She was in tears when she finally met with one of Step Forward’s Family Development Specialists.
“She reassured me that event though I had hit a rough patch, this was only temporary and that I would get through it,” Kalika recalled.
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Shortly after applying for rental assistance, Step Forward informed Kalika that the agency would be able to provide her enough aid to cover the rent she owed from prior months and through October.
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Kalika, who is married with two children, said the financial assistance allowed her family to use what little money they did have toward food and other bills.
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“It also allowed us to not be so stressed to where it was impacting our health,” she acknowledged. “This stopped us from being on the street. Overall, our lives have improved because of this help.”