b'HOMEGROWNGrowing up in a family with members who were inthey are willing to go with guidance. Providingaddiction or who possessed some sort of criminalthe resources and pointing them in that directionbackground, Kayla saw and felt the effects of thoseis a fantastic thing. circumstances, including going for periods of time without heat, water or electricity. As a result, KaylaKaylas life experiences enable her to empathize LEADERSHIP chose to walk her own path, break generationalwith the clients she meets at Huckleberry House, a curses and become a source of support for herColumbus-based nonprofit serving young adults and family, holding two or three jobs at a time families struggling with homelessness, substance beginning when she was just 15 years old. abuse, poverty and violence, as well as those who seek assistance at A Step in the Right Direction. Moreover, by sharing her own story, shes able to break the stigma and keep people moving forward. In its three-year history, A Step in the Right Direction has helped more than 5,000 people by linking them to resources that include 50 community service partners and 25 second-chance employment partners. In addition, the agency sponsors two events each year for children and their families. A Summer Bash each June around Fathers Day draws 400-500 people and a Back to School Bash at the end of summer brings out about 500. Last year, A Step in the Right Direction was able to provide 250 backpacks free to underserved youth. When I think of helping peopleA grassroots organization, relying predominately in need, especially in re-entry,on the efforts of volunteers, A Step in the Right sometimes they need help takingDirection gathers feedback and aligns theirthat first step toward their goals.services with the perceived needs of theEveryone has a path they are willingcommunity. The organization is also largelyto go with guidance. Providing thefunded by community donations.resources and pointing them in Based on the feedback weve received, we are that direction is a fantastic thing. planning more career fairs to get people linkedto employment. Were also launching a hygiene store that will enable people to request up toKAYLA DAVIS five free household cleaning or personal careB.S. Criminal Justice Administration 18 items each month.and Master of Public Administration 22Kayla is also a commissioner serving a three-year term on the Greater Hilltop Area Commission. Kayla Davis (B.S. Criminal Justice Administration 18 and Master of PublicBorn and raised on Columbus West Side, it wasThe Hilltop, one of Columbus largest urban important to Kayla to give back to the communityneighborhoods is home to about 40,000 people. Administration 22) pursued her passion and chose a path that enables herin which many of her family and friends still live. In Since this is the community I was raised in, its to be a source of support for her family, a resource provider for underserved2019, she founded her own nonprofit, A Step in thesuper heartwarming to hear people say I am doing Right Direction, on three pillars, Health Inequalities, populations and a leader in her community.Family Engagement and Workforce Development,great things for the community and neighborhood.with the intention to support restored citizens as they re-enter society. However, in 2020, when the pandemic exacerbated pre-existing gaps in services and resources, the agency expanded its focusWinston Churchill said: You make a living byInteract with Kayla and you are overwhelmed by from serving a targeted population to servingwhat you get. You make a life by what you give.the power of positivity and an unrelenting desire the community as a whole.To learn more about A Step From days leading the outreach program at theto make things right, fix whats broken or fill a need.in the Right Direction, go to Huckleberry House to evenings and weekends asThese personality traitsor super powersmakeWhen I think of helping people in need, especiallystepintherightdirection.orgthe executive director at her own nonprofit, A Stepher ideally suited for a career in social service, butin re-entry, sometimes they need help taking that in the Right Direction, Kayla Davis spends her lifeits very likely she developed them as survival skills first step toward their goals. Everyone has a path pouring into others. a long time ago.22 Clocktower | Impacting Change Clocktower | Impacting Change 23'