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“I’m going to go to college, get a good job and just live my best life!” Erica has finally finished! She tried traditional high school, but was told by the school counselor that she “wouldn’t graduate on time.” She’s proud of her achievement,

Carlos finished his last HiSET test in January of 2018. He dedicated time and to completing one test at a time and kept his eye on his goal of starting a career and getting into the Carpenter’s Union. Carlos is currently working full-time. “It was something I had been want

Journey and Natavia completed their high school courses and graduated in February 2018! These friends held down jobs, supported themselves and finished their senior year at Next Step.  

David graduated with his high school equivalency diploma in December. He is now working full time with plans to go to college next semester. “Next Step…it is the doorway to everything. That’s the best way to describe it. You actually help. Actually build our confidence and make us fee

Carol came to Next Step after dropping out of high school some 40 years before. She completed her final unit of geometry this week and is now a high school graduate! “I would recommend Next Step to anyone. Where else can you get all this attention and patience? I am so proud that I fi

Lakeisha, a hard working mother of two, is motivated to graduate. Over the past year she has completed an impressive 30 credits. Lakeisha had an initial goal of building her basic reading skills; she now reads at a high school level and has improved her math skills by more than four g

Taking the Next Step… The enrollment form at Next Step asks prospective students about their long-term goals. College is the most common answer. During a recent intake, a nervous new enrollee—we’ll call her Julie—predictably wrote about her post-secondary hopes. When asked to el

Next Step has been an inspirational news story in Oakland for over two decades. Since 1994, this “small but mighty” nonprofit organization has provided life-transforming educational programs for thousands of Oakland’s most vulnerable families.  Click here to read more in our Fall 2015

On November 6, 2014 Next Step Learning Center marked its 20th Anniversary with a wonderful evening of celebration at Scott’s in Jack London Square. Friends and supporters gathered to celebrate Next Step’s mission of strengthening Oakland families and communities through li