Insights from Step Forward's 2025 Community Needs Assessment
- Sep 30, 2025
- 4 min read
At Step Forward, we know that real change starts with listening.
Each year, we conduct a Community Needs Assessment to hear directly from families, neighbors and partners across Cuyahoga County. The feedback we receive gives us a clearer picture of what our community needs most - from urgent basics like housing and food security to long-term supports like education, mental health care and job training - and the results help Step Forward shape programs and partnerships that create meaningful pathways to stability and opportunity. We're partnering with the Center for Community Solutions to use this data to guide future planning, advocacy and collaboration that strengthens our community as a whole.
What the 2025 Community Needs Assessment Revealed
When we asked community leaders what the community as a whole needs the most, they emphasized:
Mental health services
Housing assistance
Childcare vouchers or assistance
Educational support (including tuition assistance, GED, skill-building)
Clothing and household items
Support for anger management, domestic abuse, and youth/senior services
When we asked individuals about their own households, their top needs were:
Housing assistance
Clothing and household items
Car repair assistance (a major barrier to work and stability)
SNAP/food assistance
Help managing money and bills
Help finding a job and training
Mental health services and educational support
These responses reflect day-to-day financial strain, with housing and transportation challenges rising to the top. Employment data provides even more context: while some respondents reported working full time, many more described being unemployed - often for six months or longer - or piecing together part-time or temporary jobs that don’t provide stability. Families are working hard, but too many are stuck with unstable hours, low wages, or long gaps in employment that make it difficult to get ahead.
The survey also revealed common barriers that prevent families from getting help when they need it. Eighty-six respondents said concerns about eligibility kept them from seeking help, while 84 said they simply didn’t know where to find services. Others pointed to difficulty reaching someone on the phone, lack of transportation, and even shame or embarrassment about asking for support. These obstacles show that access is just as important as availability when it comes to meeting community needs.
The takeaway is that across both perspectives, housing remains the most urgent and cross-cutting need, and families are balancing immediate survival with the desire for stability and growth — often while facing hurdles that make it harder to reach available services.
What has changed since 2024
The 2024 Community Needs Assessment revealed many of the same challenges, but also some important shifts:
Housing and utilities topped the list last year as well, underscoring how persistent and widespread these struggles remain.
Food insecurity and help with clothing/household items were already rising in 2024, and they remain high in 2025.
Car repairs emerged even more strongly this year as a household-level barrier. Families told us unreliable transportation keeps them from working steadily or accessing childcare and education.
Debt management and financial strain were highlighted in 2024; in 2025, this theme continues in requests for help with bills, budgeting, and job training.
Mental health services have moved higher on both the community and household lists, reflecting both the ongoing effects of the pandemic and broader concerns about safety, stress, and well-being.
Why This Matters
Looking at 2024 and 2025 side by side makes it clear that our community’s core needs remain stubbornly consistent: housing, utilities, food, and clothing. But the data also shows that the stressors are compounding - transportation, debt, and mental health are pressing harder than before.
This is why Step Forward continues to invest in both direct assistance and systemic solutions, meeting urgent needs today while building long-term pathways out of poverty.
Moving from Data to Action
Listening is only the first step. The true measure of Step Forward's Community Needs Assessment is how it changes the way we serve. That’s why Step Forward has reorganized our Community Services programming to better align with what families told us they need most.
Financial Opportunity Center – Families told us they’re struggling with bills, debt, and budgeting. Step Forward's new Financial Opportunity Center, located in Middleburg Heights, provides financial coaching, income support, and career pathways to help households build long-term stability.
Youth Opportunity Center – Community leaders emphasized education, training, and positive opportunities for young people. Our Youth Opportunity Center, located in Euclid, equips 18–24-year-olds with job readiness training, real work experience, and résumé support, helping them gain the skills and confidence to thrive.
Free Personal Income Tax Preparation – With many households living paycheck to paycheck, every dollar counts. Our free tax preparation service helps families maximize refunds, avoid costly fees, and keep more of what they earn.
Job Fairs & Readiness Workshops – Residents identified job training and employment support as urgent needs. Step Forward now offers regular job fairs and workshops to connect people with immediate opportunities and prepare them for lasting success.
Positive Parenting Classes – Families asked for more support around mental health, family stress, and safety. Our Positive Parenting programs help caregivers strengthen family relationships, manage challenges, and create nurturing home environments.
Senior Wellness & Infant Wellness Initiatives – The Assessment revealed widespread concern about health and wellness across generations. Our initiatives support both seniors and infants, addressing critical needs at the very beginning and later stages of life.
These changes reflect exactly what we heard: that families are under pressure to meet urgent needs today while also seeking opportunities for long-term security and growth.
These new and expanded services build on the foundation of our core programs. Head Start and Early Head Start continue to meet urgent needs around childcare and education, giving children the strong start they deserve while equipping parents with resources and support. At the same time, our Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) directly tackles one of the most pressing household burdens identified in both the 2024 and 2025 assessments: the rising cost of utilities. By helping families keep their homes safe and warm, HEAP provides immediate relief while reducing the financial stress that can spiral into deeper hardship.
Together, these programs - both new and long-standing - show how Step Forward is listening, adapting, and acting. We are meeting people where they are, addressing urgent needs in the moment, and building the pathways that lead to stability, opportunity, and lasting change.
