Transforming Lives
+ Strengthening
Communities
Transforming
Lives
Transforming
Lives
Step Forward helps people find hope, believe in their future and take steps to make it a reality.
Every day, we meet people who are ready for a change. A mother enrolling her child in Head Start Start to give them a better beginning. A young adult learning the skills to land their first job. A senior getting help to keep the heat on through winter. These are the stories we see, and support, every day at Step Forward.
As Cuyahoga County’s anti-poverty agency, we’re here to walk alongside individuals and families as they build brighter futures. Poverty looks different for everyone, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why our approach is personal, respectful, and rooted in strong community partnerships.
Through our core programs, we help people meet immediate needs and grow long-term stability:
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Early childhood education programs - Free early childhood education that prepares children for kindergarten and supports parents.
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Community Services – Programs that provide personal and professional skill-building opportunities.
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Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) - Help for income-eligible households to stay comfortable and connected to their utilities.
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We don’t just offer services. We offer a step forward.
Strengthening
Communities
Strengthening
Communities
For more than 60 years, we’ve stood beside the people of Cuyahoga County.
What began as the Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland has grown into Step Forward, a trusted guide for individuals and families navigating life’s challenges.
Over the decades, we’ve listened, adapted, and responded as poverty shifted and new barriers emerged. But one thing hasn’t changed: our commitment to helping people move forward.
We understand how overwhelming it can feel: living paycheck to paycheck, not knowing where to turn, or how to ask for help. That’s where we come in. Whether it’s a counselor helping someone access urgent support, a teacher preparing a child for kindergarten, or a coach guiding someone to a better job, our team meets each person where they are — and walks with them from crisis to confidence.
From emergency help to long-term growth, we’re not just changing lives, we’re strengthening the entire community...
One Person
One Person
One Family
One Family
One Step at a Time
One Step at a Time
Get
Involved
Get Involved
You have the potential to change our community for the better. Join us in the fight against poverty in Cuyahoga County. You can donate to Step Forward and spread the word about our programs and services. Support from people in Greater Cleveland – and beyond – allows us to reach more people and help more individuals and families. Together, we can change lives.
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See those who have partnered with and support Step Forward.
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