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7 Hills Neighborhood Houses reports revived STEPS program, serving hundreds of West End youth
Summary
7 Hills Neighborhood Houses told the Healthy Neighborhoods Committee that its STEPS (Success Through Empowering Programs and Services) program has been revived with 2024 human-services funding, enrolling more than 240 youth this school year and providing meals, workforce development and recreational programming.
Representatives from 7 Hills Neighborhood Houses briefed the Healthy Neighborhoods Committee on the organization’s youth and community services, highlighting a revived STEPS after‑school program funded in 2024 and expanded food, education and sports programming for West End youth.
Alexis Kidd, Neighborhood House executive director, said the human services funds allowed the organization to restore STEPS at full capacity and hire Desiree Byrd as STEPS youth director. Desiree Byrd described her personal connection to the neighborhood house, said STEPS provides free STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) learning and social-emotional supports, and noted the program also supplies daily nutritious meals to participants.
Kidd and Byrd told the committee that as of the 2024–25 school year, more than 240 youth had signed up for after‑school programs and athletic clubs, the neighborhood house serves an average of about 60 youth daily (72 daily in February) and that the organization has provided more than 14,000 meals to community members across programs and events. They said the STEPS educational and enrichment slate — summer camps, master classes and workforce development for teen staff — could serve roughly 200–400 learners annually when fully scaled.
Presenters described partnerships that support programs and food access, including General Mills, the Urban Farming Collective and a food-services partner identified as UFC Food Services, and noted collaborations with local colleges for design and production projects. They said the neighborhood house also supports senior programming, trauma recovery work and events tied to schools including a private Taft High School event scheduled for April 4.
Council members praised the Neighborhood House’s longevity and impact, asked for more details on program partnerships and garden-to-table initiatives, and discussed upcoming youth travel and international exposure through activities such as Korfball competitions and planned trips. The committee filed the presentation without objection.
