BIRMINGHAM, AL — July 10, 2025 — The BrightSteps Initiative, a nonprofit focused on empowering youth through mentorship and educational support, announced this week that it has successfully reached over 1,000 students through its recent Step Forward campaign.
Launched just six months ago, the campaign aimed to expand BrightSteps’ mentorship, leadership workshops, and school support programs across both urban and rural communities. Fueled by a groundswell of local support, the campaign exceeded expectations—delivering backpacks, mentorship connections, and access to critical life-skills training to students who needed it most.
“This is more than just a number—it’s 1,000 young lives that now have new tools, support, and hope for their future,” said Chloe Davis, Executive Director of BrightSteps. “When students know someone believes in them, everything changes. That’s the heart of this work.”
The organization credits its success to a strong network of volunteers, donors, and partner schools, along with a clear focus on equity and access. Programs included weekend leadership intensives, one-on-one mentorship pairings, and school supply drives that reached five counties.
Marcus Taylor, BrightSteps' Operations Manager, noted, “We built this campaign around listening. We asked what students actually needed, and we showed up with those answers.”
BrightSteps plans to build on the momentum with a new initiative launching this fall focused on mental health and college readiness. The organization is actively seeking partners and donors to scale their efforts even further.
To learn more or get involved, visit www.brightsteps.org.
