Success Stories

Being at Next Step has been a great opportunity for me. It has allowed me to explore different avenues, participate in various activities and has really made a positive impact on the people I'm around. So I just want to thank you all for everything you've done for me, and I can't wait to come back!

This program I've been at since 2021. I've been here since before a lot of the youth who are here now. I've seen many staff and other youth grow up and some surpass me. I've learned a lot at this program. I guess at the beginning when I came to this program, I didn’t really know who to talk to. I didn’t really know what was going on. I'm just so glad I came because I've learned so much, and met so many new people. All the staff here are just so willing to help. Coach Brittany, she's like a mom, like a second mom. She's always there to help me

At first when I came here, I was really nervous. I was thinking I wasn't going to socialize much because people weren't going to know me as much as everybody else does. And I was really thankful and I realized there were a lot of people who were there for me. Especially the coaches. Like Coach Brandon, he was there for me the first day I came here. He had me in open arms, he was really there for me when I needed it. Coach Mary, I want to thank you as well. And right now, Coach Randall has been there for me and has been such a good coach.

I want to thank Coach Mary. Because, when I first got here, I didn't feel like doing anything. If it wasn't for Coach Mary, I probably wouldn't be who I am today. Oh yeah, Coach Kaelyn too! And I guess Coach Brittany… But yeah, thanks to Coach Mary and Coach Kaelyn, they made me the successful person I am today. And I just want to say thanks to them!

I want to thank Next Step for having me for like two, almost three years. I appreciate all ya'll that serve me, did everything for me. You all kept me right and set me on the right path school-wise and mentally-wise. And I just appreciate that. And I want to thank Coach Diamond especially! Coach Diamond is my… I can't 'favorite' right now, but she's my favorite! Thanks for all Next Step has done for me!

I would like to say Thank You to all the coaches really. Coach Mary, she's always been friendly. Coach Brandon has been here since day 1. Coach Brittany, you know she get's on me a lot, she's very firm on me. But I like that though! Coach Diamond, thats my basketball dude right there! This is gramps right here [Ernesto]! And I just thank ya'll for letting me be here and letting me be in this program. And I thank ya'll, have a good night, and say bye to gramps! He needs it!