Front Steps Housing & Services

Addressing Systemic Disparities

By Katrina McDowell on Oct 23, 2023 in Giving

Yardi is committed to supporting the community in every city where our offices are housed. Each year, the company distributes philanthropic aid to organizations selected by its employees.

Today, we introduce Front Steps Housing & Services organization, founded in 1986 in Cleveland, Ohio. This organization is a member of the Cuyahoga County Office of Homeless Services Continuum of Care and has over 35 years of experience working with homeless individuals in the county as transitional and permanent housing.

Front Steps has served more than 4,000 clients with a 98% success rate during this time. Since opening its doors in 1986, they have developed a broad array of services to serve chronically homeless individuals and community members at risk of homelessness. Services include:

• Case Management
• Employment and Training
• Intensive Outpatient Program 
• Community Support Services 
• Behavioral Health Counseling  
• Prevention Services  
• Music and Art Therapies  

Front Steps has been recognized as an organization guided by internationally recognized service standards and best practices by the Commission of Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for:

• Case Management/Services Coordination: Mental Health (adults)
• Community Housing: Mental Health (adults)
• Outpatient Treatment: Integrated: AOD/MH (adults)
• Community Employment Services: Employment Supports

Front Steps has also been certified by the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (OMHAS) to operate an outpatient alcohol and drug addiction program and has been approved to offer the following behavioral/mental health services:

• Behavioral Health Counseling & Therapy
• Employment/Vocational
• Referral and Information
• Community Psychiatric Support Treatment
• Mental Health Assessment
• Art Therapy

Today, these services are needed on a broader scale for the aging, underserved communities that are facing barriers of systemic disparities.

“We continue to respond to the call for housing assistance and behavioral health services desperately needed in this post-pandemic world. Our hands-on staff is second to none, offering life-changing support and one-on-one counseling to our residents and individuals in our community,” said Matthew Anderson, development director for Front Steps.

Front Steps hopes to expand its reach in Greater Cleveland and broaden its presence with a campus including a women’s recovery center, sober living, drug and alcohol rehabilitation and health and wellness programs.

“Help us realize these dreams by creating a safe haven for people recovering from a life of pain, suffering and intolerance,” Anderson shares.

Funding from Yardi will help Front Steps achieve behavioral outreach efforts to serve individuals needing health services. It will allow them to enhance the case management treatment and connect with more individuals throughout the region. These therapy areas include:

• Mental Health
• Substance Abuse
• Music Therapy
• Art Therapy
• Horticultural Therapy

“We’re ecstatic, not only for the financial support but for the relationship we’ve built with the Yardi Systems family over the past couple of years,” exclaimed Anderson. He continued, “We can’t say thank you enough for believing in our core value: to transform the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness.  Thank you for your faith in Front Steps, and thank you for believing in our commitment to serving as an inclusive, equitable and accessible organization where everyone can realize their full potential.”

James C. Venture

James found his way to Front Steps after suffering a deep-rooted substance abuse and mental health diagnosis after a stint in the military. This resulted in angry outbursts, isolation and related behavioral health issues. He became an overwhelming burden to himself and his family.

After arriving at Front Steps, James discovered his voice and self-expression through counseling with Life Skills coordinator Denise Jackson. Today, still overcoming his barriers, he’s an example for others and exhibits pride and self-assurance through his work in the community garden. (pictured here).

Volunteer Opportunities

Front Steps offers plenty of volunteer opportunities throughout the year. From sorting clothes to organizing its food pantry, they have various jobs inside and out. For those interested, please get in touch with Matthew Anderson at [email protected].

“We are passionate, dedicated, and unwavering in our commitment to provide essential wrap-around services that help our clients realize their personal dreams. But we can’t do it without the support of our friends and stakeholders. Your financial support is needed now more than ever in this post-pandemic era. Your gift to Front Steps has allowed us to offer our clients the potential of a new start,” Anderson shares.

Find future non-profit profiles at https://www.yardi.com/blog/category/giving.