Journalist and author Hodding Carter, Jr., once said, “There are two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots. The other is wings.” HCCDC is working toward both roots and wings on behalf of children on The Hill.

Hilltop is a severely at-risk community: 2000 Census data show the poverty rate of 33% (three times the Ohio average). Over 25% of residents lack a high school diploma; the area’s Columbus West High School has an appalling 60% dropout rate (three times worse than the city overall). And neighborhood Highland Elementary has a 94% free lunch count. It’s a tough place to live, and an even tougher place to raise kids.

HCCDC's Christian after school program, Prime Time, expands the capacity of Hilltop Lutheran Church's successful mentoring and tutoring program at nearby Highland Elementary School, and its Summer Arts Camp. Through Bible study, recreation, food, and homework tutoring tuned to their specific needs, Prime Time contributes to the learning enrichment, health and safety, and positive socialization of more than 70 elementary aged children each school year.

In 2009, a group of neighbors developed 6 lots provided by the Oakley Full Gospel Baptist Church and the Columbus Land Bank into a community garden with funding from the Ohio Childrens' Foundation. Individual educational gardens became science labs for Prime Time Children. Families worked on their own plots, and the garden produced produce to give directly to the neighborhood, and to the local food banks. The Highland Community Garden was named Community Garden of the Year, and Cedric Dessin from Prime Time was named Youth Gardener of the year in the Growing to Green awards presentation.