General Testimonials

Since starting with Next Step, not only have I not had to worry about diapers and necessities, but I have also had access to a wonderful support group. Pregnancy is scary and being a parent is not always easy even for second and third time parents, but with a group like Next Step, you don’t have to feel alone because you’re not alone.

-Anonymous

I visited Next Step when I was on unpaid maternity leave and money was becoming tight. The boutique was especially helpful as I got ready to go back to work and we prepared to send our kids to daycare for the first time. I was able to get breastmilk bags for pumping at work and a lot of the requested items for daycare. It was a tremendous load off our shoulders!

-Anonymous

There are certain events in life that become a transformation process. Events that are unplanned. Some call said events an inconvenience. Others call them a blessing. Becoming a parent, is one of those events.

I was 20 years old and a drug addict. Married but hardly saw my husband, because I chose the “high” over our marriage. Everything was falling apart. Failing. Including my body. I was 109 pounds and could feel my body deteriorating. The drugs were killing me and I knew it, but I still didn’t want to quit. I reached out to a friend and told her I was dying. She looked at me and asked if there was any chance I was pregnant. I doubted it but didn’t have the money for a pregnancy test. She told me about Next Step and that they offered free tests. I reluctantly went, convinced I wasn’t pregnant and that it was a waste of time.

I walked through those doors “high,” not knowing how drastically my life was about to change. We were greeted by an older lady. Sweet and warm. She didn’t know me or know the kind of life I was living. Of course when she asked about myself I only shared the good parts. “I’m married and live in a cute duplex with our pets.” Half truth. She showed me the test results and I just stared at the two pink lines. I was pregnant. The lady gave me a big smile and congratulated me. She was genuinely happy for me. No comments on how young I was or any such judgement statements. And in that moment, I felt loved. That Next Step volunteer is now one of my dearest friends.

It’s been almost four years now. Not only did Next Step help and teach me to become a mom, they (unknowingly) were my rehabilitation center. God knew what was needed to change me. A baby. I had no intentions to be sober. Until I was told I was carrying life inside of me. My son is now three and a big brother. My marriage has healed and I am four years sober. Jesus saved me and he used Next Step to do it.

-Anonymous

I visited Next Step during my third trimester… I wish I had known about this place sooner! I didn’t know what to expect coming here but I gained a lot of knowledge about taking care of my baby. The staff and volunteers were very helpful and made every experience feel very personal and welcoming. With this being my first full term pregnancy, the Earn While You Learn program helped me feel so much more confident about hearing my baby's needs. Next Step helped me obtain much needed items from the center's store that I wouldn't have been able to afford otherwise. I was able to earn a new carseat while learning about how to take care of my baby! I highly recommend Next Step!

-Brandi

I was 16 when I first visited Next Step two years ago. I came to Next Step for a pregnancy test. I got tons of help and support from the ladies who work here. They were super nice and talked to me about my options and walked me through what I needed. They are confidential but very sweet and polite. Next Step helped me get a good view on my options and keep an open mind about my situation when I got pregnant with my son last February. I went to Next Step for advice about adoption. They gave me information about open adoption... they were very supportive of my decision and my interest in adoption. It made me feel much better about my decision as a mother choosing adoption to have support from the Next Step [volunteers]. The Next Step ladies were AMAZING!!! I've had nothing but support and love from the ladies who work at Next Step. They are very kind and supportive.

Whenever I need advice they never let me down. Next Step helped my situation by welcoming me in and giving me the support and information I needed to make my decision to put my son up for adoption.

I needed support - from anyone possible, and they gave me that love and support! I would 100% recommend Next Step to anyone looking for some support or information on pregnancy. They welcome you with open arms. They support you through any decision you make. Anything you want they will walk you through your options and stand by you on any decision you make. You are never judged or spoken down to. You are never told you are making the wrong decision. Next Step WILL support you. Even after you have your baby you will both be welcomed with open arms and love. Both you and your baby will be treated with love and respect.

Next Step is an amazing resource to have!

-Jessica

I first heard about Next Step when I was chatting with a friend about how none of my clothes fit anymore and I had no money to buy maternity gear. She told me about the [Earn While You Learn] program at Next Step, and I went to check it out a few days later.

I was so surprised by the lovely atmosphere and welcoming volunteers. They made it so easy to relax in their space while I learned about pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. They helped me get set up for my precious girl with clothes, books, diapers, and swaddles. I am so grateful for the role they serve in our community and recommend them to everyone I can.

-Earn While You Learn participant

I experienced five pregnancy [losses]. Only one child out of six survived... I had hope, loss, despair. Most of my friends' way of helping/dealing with my loss was to say, "oh there will be others you can try again" and the cruelest was, "well, it wasn't a baby yet." But it was to me. They all were. I had hopes, dreams, and expectations with all of them. Know[ing] that Next Step was there for my daughter was/is a blessing. The staff is supportive. With resources to help with loss, videos/books, and someone to talk to.

-Jayce

I got more than the help I needed or expected. The Next Step ladies were amazing. They made me feel more than welcome.... visiting Next Step improved my situation because I was able to get my daughter things that was [sic] needed for her arrival. I recommend Next Step to a lot of people.

-Keanua

The [Earn While You Learn] program has made it possible for my husband and I to prepare for our little baby without breaking the bank and loading up on credit cards.

-Earn While You Learn Participant

I’m glad I watched every bit of the videos; it has helped me in so many ways. And I can proudly say I’m the mom I am now just by watching videos and interacting with the ladies at Next Step… they have helped me in so many ways. I would recommend Next Step to anybody I know that is pregnant or even if they already have kids and are struggling.

-Mary Ann

The Earn While You Learn [program] has been a double blessing. I can sit in there for hours getting all my questions answered, and on top of that, I earn boutique bucks to pick up all the baby stuff we need.

-Earn While You Learn Participant

I learned I could get help and not feel bad about it - I got help when I wasn't able to help myself. [The Next Step staff] were nice and made me feel welcome; it is a comfortable environment.

-C.S.

God has... used Next Step to inform us about our baby, give us loving women to cheer us on along the way, and to provide a huge chunk of all the baby necessities. Next Step has been the biggest blessing for our pregnancy!

-Pregnant Client

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