When a nonprofit is birthed in the middle of a dot.com bust and endures through the bursting of a national housing bubble, it seems likely that it could handle most types of upheaval, even that caused by a flu that wears a crown and wildfires galore. After all, we've spent 17 years guiding our community's most complex teens!
Emboldened by our ability to handle past challenges, we were remarkably prepared for these new crises. When they hit, we asked ourselves, "What do we have to work with, who needs help and how fast can we give it to them?"
Because of your support, nearly 450 youth and youth providers can now outsmart complicated situations that many thought would take them under. This year our youth bravely confronted a virus, the overnight loss of jobs, stress over unpaid bills, social isolation, PTSD, wildfires, smoky skies, and uncertainty about their futures.
Caring for essential needs was a primary focus as was mental health support.
"YOU have done so much for me since I first got involved with JP and Next Step. I am fortunate to be a part of this. :)" - Next Stepper
