Goodwill's NextSteps program helps people leaving prison to regain their footing

Teresa Martinez once was incarcerated and had struggled heavily with substance abuse.

But she achieved sobriety six years ago, and she credits Goodwill’s NextSteps program for that and other ways she has turned her life around.

Goodwill’s NextSteps program is a reentry services program for people who are seeking employment after release from prison. The program aims to provide a means of legitimate income for individuals and to provide stability in their lives. The program also teaches people soft skills — from communication techniques and conflict resolution to résumé building.

After she was released from jail, Martinez was able to find stable employment, housing and opportunity through the NextSteps program.

“We’re their biggest cheerleaders,” said Sesha Lee, chief services officer, about Martinez and others with similar experiences through the program. “You’re walking out and you may not have family or friends, and it’s lonely.”

The program, founded in July 2022, aims to lower the reoffense rate. As of December 2023, 84% of total NextSteps participants had not committed additional crimes.

“We get people from all walks of life, and have the opportunity to impact their lives,” said NextSteps caseworker Samantha Chavez.

Individuals who have participated say they are given the tools they need to become successful.

“I’ve been sober for almost six years,” Martinez said. “I’m working towards my education. It’s helped navigate me through just daily living things, like my employment, and just growing as a person, really.”

“It’s pulled me away from my old way of life — like, a lot of it,” said Jermey Pacheco, another NextStep participant.

Individuals apply to the program while still incarcerated. The program begins 90 days prior to an individual’s release with work on soft skills and setting goals. After release, individuals work with their caseworker to form strategies to meet those goals, such as ways to gain employment and stable housing and continue their education.

The program is funded entirely by Goodwill, with a cost of $1,980 per person served, which covers the salaries of caseworkers as well as the resources provided by the program..

“The program all the way around I’m very grateful for, because I honestly think that if I didn’t have this program to come out to, who knows where I would be?” Martinez said.