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About Us
Our
Story
What Would Marcus Do is a movement. It’s not just a program or an initiative—it’s a call to action born from the lived experience of a young man who saw the cracks in his community and chose to fill them with hope, resilience, and opportunity. Marcus is the embodiment of what Hilltop youth can achieve with the right support. His journey from struggling to find financial literacy and career development resources to becoming a college graduate and community leader is a beacon of hope for others. His story shows that investing in youth pays dividends—not just for individuals but for entire neighborhoods.
On September 11, 2021 - As the world paid tribute to the attack on 9/11 our family suffered the major loss of our Marcus. He was robbed and gunned downed in Victorian Village making him the 141st Homicide of 2021 in Central Ohio. His heartbeat for the advancement of the Hilltop still lives on through What Would Marcus Do.
But Marcus cannot do this alone. The Hilltop community faces systemic challenges that require strategic, sustained intervention. Poverty, educational inequities, and cycles of instability create barriers that we want to dismantle—with the right resources.
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What Makes Hilltop’s Need So Pressing?
The Hilltop is a community with stories waiting to be rewritten. Here’s what funders need to understand:
Community Snapshot
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Poverty: 23-47% of Hilltop residents live in poverty, with over half of households earning less than $15,000 annually.
Source: American Community Survey (ACS)
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Education: Nearly 50% of residents have only some high school experience, and only 12.63% hold a bachelor’s degree.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
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Crime and Overdose Rates: Higher-than-average incidents of crime and overdoses reflect systemic neglect.
Source: City of Columbus Crime Data
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Youth Graduation Rates: Only 73% of Columbus City Schools students graduate on time.
Source: Ohio Department of Education
These statistics paint a picture of a community rich in potential but under-resourced.
Our Mission
Our Mission is to provide Hope and Resources to our Community with a smile.
Our Vision
Our Vision is to be a resourceful anchor in the Hilltop community by providing proper resources needed to maintain an enriched life with a smile.