Houston's a city of great giving and the CultureMap Charity Challenge, presented by Yellow Cab, aims to highlight that. CultureMap selected 12 deserving nonprofits to compete for a grand prize as they all raise awareness for worthy causes. CultureMap is highlighting the charities. Today: Small Steps Nurturing Center.

Founded in 1995, Small Steps Nurturing Center is a non-profit Christian preschool that provides early childhood education to economically at-risk children in Houston’s inner city while nurturing the student's social, emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual growth.

The non-profit’s First Ward-area school was built in 1999. The program’s success led to the opening of a second campus in Houston’s Fifth Ward in 2006.

Last year, the school served 180 economically at-risk children, ages two through six, using a social-emotional curriculum developed in collaboration with Texas Children’s Hospital in 2001.

Additionally, Small Steps provided daily transportation to and from school, served nutritious meals and snacks daily, and offered social, emotional, speech and group play therapy to those children in need.

Small Steps holds four special events every year to help raise funds for its program: Small Steps Nurture and Nourish luncheon, Small Steps Energy Classic charity golf tournament, Small Steps Clays Classic and the Small Steps Wine Classic.

High quality preschool programs for children living in poverty makes a positive impact in the lives of those children, their families and society as a whole.

Vote now for Small Steps Nurturing Center — or one of the other worthy local nonprofits — in the CultureMap Charity Challenge.