CLEVELAND — In July, the Ohio Labor Market Information department stated that Cuyahoga County’s unemployment rate was 5.5%, which is 2% higher than the national average. Step Forward, a Cleveland organization, has stepped in to help decrease that percentage.  

What You Need To Know

  • Step Forward is an organzation trying to decrease unemployment rate in Cuyahoga County

  • They offer a variety of classes and workshops to better client's skills

  • They also have a job placement program that helps people find a positon that they like

​Audrey Taylor, the director of professional development at Step Forward, used to be unemployed and knows what that feels like. Now, she’s helping people get to where they want to be and achieve their goals while meeting their needs. 

“If we as an agency can help people become self-sufficient and this is the mission that’s in front of us, then I want to be part of that,” Taylor said. 

Step Forward has workshops that teach programs like Microsoft Word and Excel, has classes on financial literacy and a five-day job readiness course. Taylor said that it also assists people in finding jobs that fit their goals and that it’s all free. 

“Everything is free if you’re 18 years or older and also for anyone who is income eligible and a Cuyahoga County resident. And we work with the poverty guidelines and currently we are at 200% above the poverty line guidelines, so that can actually open up the amount of people we can service,” she said. 

Step Forward said it is dedicated to bettering the lives of people in Cuyahoga County.

After they place clients in positions, they continue to keep up with them to make sure they’re doing well in their new job. Taylor said that they hope to place people in a position that they like, which leads to better performance and a longer retention. 

“We like to follow our clients and track their progress and see if there’s any way that we can help them. And assist them in maintaining their employment, removing any obstacles that are in their way and allowing them to be able to work as effectively as possible,” Taylor said.