Next Step Community Solutions

Celebrating 6 years of Jansen McDonald!

As our Director of Mental Health Programs, Jansen’s leadership and dedication support many lives through the counselors he leads and school districts he works alongside. We are exceptionally grateful for the hard work you do to make this team so wonderful!

Happy 6-year anniversary, Jansen!

During Su***de Prevention Month, remember:

- You matter.
- Your story matters.
- Your life matters.

Let’s look out for one another and remind those around us that they none of us have to face hard moments alone.

***depreventionmonth

Sometimes it’s not about changing the situation, it’s about changing the “what if.” Swipe for a few reminders that can help shift the way we approach back-to-school stress, challenges, and mental health!

Today marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month!

This celebration began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week before expanding in 1988 to cover a full 30 day period. The timeframe of this month is significant because it celebrates the independence days of many Central American countries that fall within the next 30 days, such as:

Sept. 15 - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua
Sept. 16 - Mexico
Sept. 18 - Chile
Sept. 21 - Belize

Here's to celebrating the contributions, traditions, and histories of Hispanic and Latino communities who have shaped the world we live in today!

Happy Birthday to Daniel Griffith, our Data & IT Manager!

We’re so grateful for all you do behind the scenes to keep Next Step functioning and how you support the staff whenever our electronics decide to mysteriously stop working. The work you do keeps all of us sane and capable of success!

Wishing you a fantastic birthday full of joy and cookie cake!

Our teams have started meeting with students on many campuses and we are beyond excited for the change they will create for their school!

Each year our Sources of Strength team trains hundred of students and teachers to prepare them for the year and how they can use their voices to have a positive impact on their campus!

Today is World Su***de Prevention Day - a reminder to support those who need it most and remember those affected by su***de.
If you or someone you know is struggling, resources are available through local community partners and through 988, the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

At Next Step, we offer mental health resources designed to provide support and help start important conversations, available in English and Spanish.

***depreventionday ***depreventionmonth

And one more birthday this week! Today we celebrate Carrie Fry, one of our amazing counselors!

We’re so grateful for the care and compassion you bring to the students you serve and for all the work you do and you start your second school year with Next Step.

Wishing you the best birthday, Carrie!

We are honored to join 10 other partners in the Health Foundation of East Texas' Building Belonging Cohort, where $1.98 million will be invested into youth connection across Smith County!

Our project is 'Three Spheres of Belonging', where we will take our peer-led su***de prevention program, Sources of Strength, beyond the classroom and into the communities and to families at home.

A HUGE thank you to the Health Foundation of East Texas for betting on connection and supporting all of these great partners! To the other 10 partners, we are glad to be in this together!

In March, the asked for community ideas on one question: What would it take for the youth of Smith County to be more connected to one another, their families and their communities without the use of technology? 💬

We received some truly inspiring answers, and we're excited to share the best of the best with you! Through our 2026 Building Belonging challenge, we’re investing more than $1.98 million in 11 new community partnerships working to create opportunities for young people to connect, engage and build a stronger sense of belonging.

Here are the projects that are bringing the vision to life:

🔵 Projects that connect youth to each other by building mentorship, teamwork, friendships and social support networks beyond screens: 🌱Led by HERO Project, Scouting America, Mentoring Alliance and Tyler Civic Theatre.

🔵 Projects that connect youth to their communities through public spaces, cultural institutions and shared experiences: 🏛️ Led by City of Tyler Parks and Recreation, Light Up Faulkner Skatepark, East Texas Symphony Orchestra and City of Tyler Urban Forester and Arborist.

🔵 Projects that connect communities around youth by strengthening the systems, organizations and networks that shape young people’s daily lives: 🏞️ Led by Tyler Area Business Education Council, Next Step Community Solutions and Tyler ISD Foundation.

And the work goes beyond funding. Through our new Building Belonging Challenge cohort, partners will come together for peer learning, networking and coaching to strengthen their impact across Smith County.

🔗 Learn more about our newly funded partners and what’s ahead: https://healthfoundationet.org/building-belonging-challenge/

Fresh off her work anniversary celebration, we all have a Happy Birthday to Lori Dunaway, one of our Lead Regional Counselors!

We’re so grateful to have Lori on our team! A phenomenal leader, caring counselor, and supporter of our community!

Hope you have the best day and thank you for being you!