As we close out 2024, Step Forward reflects on a year of significant progress and continued dedication to our mission: to empower families and strengthen communities. This year marked our 60th anniversary, a milestone that has given us an opportunity to look back at the strides we’ve made and the lives we’ve touched, while also renewing our commitment to building a brighter future for generations to come. The challenges we face as a community require bold action and collaboration, and we remain deeply grateful for the support of our partners, stakeholders, and the people we serve. Together, we have made a tangible impact.
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) continues to be a lifeline for families struggling to keep their homes warm during the winter months. In 2024, Step Forward processed more than 13,000 applications, providing vital financial assistance to ensure that individuals and families have the energy they need to stay safe and comfortable. Our HEAP services were particularly crucial during extreme weather conditions, helping nearly 5,000 households access emergency energy assistance, while also providing ongoing support through the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) to help more than 15,000 families manage their utility bills year-round. As heating costs continue to rise, the demand for this program has grown, underscoring the need for continued funding and support to ensure that no one is left in the cold.
This year, the HEAP team also underwent a significant reorganization, streamlining services to improve efficiency and better meet the evolving needs of our community. In addition, we reworded our website and phone lines to provide clearer, more accessible information to help educate the community about available resources and the application process. Despite funding changes and the expiration of several COVID-era programs, our team has continued to serve to the best of their ability. They have gone above and beyond to advocate for our clients, ensuring that families receive the assistance they need to navigate rising energy costs and other economic challenges. Through these efforts, the HEAP team has reinforced its role as an essential resource for vulnerable households, demonstrating resilience and dedication in the face of ongoing challenges.
Community Services
Step Forward’s Community Services division plays a vital role in supporting individuals and families across the region, helping them overcome barriers and access opportunities. This year, our workforce development programs assisted more than 180 people in enhancing their skills and connecting with meaningful employment. Through job training, resume-building workshops, and career counseling, we helped dozens of people secure better-paying jobs and find sustainable employment.
In addition, our family support services reached thousands of households, offering more than $10,000 worth of food, clothing, and other immediate assistance. Our team successfully completed and exhausted funds for our COVID Relief grant, providing much-needed support to families still recovering from the pandemic's impact. Since its inception, Step Forward’s Home Relief Assistance program distributed more than $36 million in aid, with the remaining $4 million disbursed within the first four months of 2024.
Head Start & Early Head Start
Step Forward’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs remain a cornerstone of early childhood education in our community. This year, we further expanded our reach by opening three new Head Start sites, providing high-quality educational opportunities to even more children and families. Throughout 2024, our Early Head Start program supported 178 infants and toddlers, ensuring that our youngest learners receive essential early interventions. Additionally, we served more than 1,843 children across Cuyahoga County, equipping them with a strong foundation through comprehensive early childhood education, health services, and family support.
In 2024, Step Forward achieved a significant milestone by securing a renewed five-year Head Start grant reaffirming our commitment to delivering high-quality services to children and families throughout Cuyahoga County. This accomplishment followed a rigorous and comprehensive review process during which our team worked tirelessly to strengthen and enhance our program. Through months of dedication, collaboration, and determination, we demonstrated our ability to meet and exceed national standards. This achievement reflects the resilience, passion, and hard work of our staff and ensures that Step Forward can continue providing transformative early childhood education and support to our community for years to come.
This year also marked the development of an exciting new partnership with Case Western Reserve University’s Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing. Through this collaboration, nursing students assisted with sensory (vision and hearing) and growth assessments for children in our programs. This hands-on experience provided the students with opportunities to apply their knowledge in real-world settings, develop professional networks, and refine practical skills essential for their future careers. Through this partnership, more than 1,000 children received dental exams through our partnership with Case Dental, while the Cleveland Clinic SBH mobile van provided physical exams for 122 children and lead screenings for 354 children. Together, these partnerships enhanced our ability to deliver comprehensive health services while fostering educational and professional growth for future healthcare providers.
Ultimately, Step Forward successfully transitioned more than 800 children to kindergarten. Beyond preparing children for school, these programs offer vital support for families. In 2024, Step Forward’s Carl B. Stokes Early Learning Center was recognized with a Family Engagement Award by Cuyahoga County's Universal Pre-Kindergarten program, highlighting our commitment to involving families in their children’s learning journey. In November, Step Forward was honored as a Legacy Pre4CLe Preschool, celebrating our decade-long dedication as a Pre4CLe provider and our ongoing efforts to deliver high-quality education to all of Cleveland’s 3- and 4-year-olds.
Looking Ahead
While 2024 has been a year of great achievement, we recognize that the need for our services is greater than ever. Step Forward has made significant strides in expanding our Head Start programs, offering life-changing workforce development services, and ensuring that vulnerable households have access to essential energy assistance. Our work continues to be a pillar of support in Cuyahoga County, but we are also facing increasingly complex challenges.
Rising costs, increased demand for services, and shifting political landscapes are making it more difficult to meet the growing needs of our community. Families and individuals in our region are struggling with economic instability, job insecurity, and access to affordable housing and healthcare. These challenges are compounded by unpredictable funding streams and policy changes that can directly impact our ability to provide consistent and effective support.
The solution lies in strengthening our collective commitment to community investment. Step Forward is steadfast in its mission to not only respond to these needs but to anticipate and address them with a comprehensive, sustainable approach. We are committed to expanding our reach and deepening our impact, ensuring that the services we provide are accessible and effective for all those who need them.
As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, Step Forward will continue to build on the passion and dedication that has guided us for the past 60 years. We understand that our success depends on the strength of our partnerships, and we are deeply grateful for the unwavering support we’ve received.
Moving forward, we are committed to working alongside our partners, community leaders, and residents to create even more opportunities for families and individuals to thrive—driving positive change and building a more resilient future for all.
Thank you for your continued support in making these accomplishments possible. Together, we can ensure that the next 60 years are filled with even greater achievements, as we work toward a brighter future for our community.
Happy Holidays!
Jacklyn A. Chisholm, Ph.D.
President and CEO
Step Forward
60 Years of Progress and the Road Ahead with Step Forward
Join Step Forward's President and CEO, Dr. Jacklyn Chisholm, and Board Chair, LaRese Purnell, for an engaging conversation as they reflect on Step Forward’s 60-year legacy of empowering families and strengthening communities. Together, they discuss the agency’s rich history, its pivotal role in combating poverty, and the progress achieved over the decades.
Looking ahead, they share a vision for Step Forward's future, one where the organization continues to adapt to evolving needs, expand its community impact, and transform lives across Cuyahoga County for generations to come.