What We Do

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”  Lao Tzu

The Next Steps Liaison Project provides both supportive connection for youth in detention, and re-entry support upon release.  We empower youth in Juvenile Hall through the healing power of emotional literacy classes, in combination with hands-on skills development in an organic garden. Upon release, these teachings are followed by internships and mentoring, which help youth take tangible steps toward success in school and at work.  Through this two-step process, Next Steps empowers kids with skills and opportunity to help them stay free from detention and move forward with their lives.

This combination of emotional support and self-regulation skills, followed by tangible opportunity, makes real and permanent change possible.  It frees our vulnerable youth from the hopeless, dead-end cycle of recidivism in which too many kids have become trapped.