Next Step of West Michigan

We have been keeping a secret… We are so excited to finally share that we have been selected as one of the Gable Grant recipients. Through our partnership with the Lowe’s Foundation and its Gable Grants program, we are equipping a new carpentry training facility on our Garden Street campus. This will allow us to expand on-the-job training in construction with a carpentry focus and build tiny and small homes for more affordable housing options in Grand Rapids.

Our High Schoolers have been hard at work! This semester they are designing their own projects (rough drawing to technical drawing and now moving to SketchUp phase). They are also working on completing cabinet projects. On top of that they are working toward their Saw Blade and OSHA10 certificates!

Last week we graduated another adult class of eleven students! It was a great group of students with a great sense of humor. They are hardworking and eager to get into the workforce! Congratulations!

We are excited to share that we will begin laying foundations for Hope Village, Grand Rapids first tiny home community, in 2 weeks! In partnership with Mel Trotter Ministries the project aims to provide affordable housing for people experiencing homelessness or who have recently completed a workforce development program. Stay tuned for more updates over the coming weeks and months!

Thank you Wolverine Building Group for the mention and allowing us to collaborate with you on the Eastern Kille Distillery trellis project!

We are #hiring! Know anyone interested? Please apply at the link below:

Great story about MTM board member Bruce Bush. Also featured is David Hill, former MTM guest and 2022 graduate of Next Step's wood training program.

Today we honor the legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His vision of justice and equality has inspired us and countless others to build the beloved community, where all can find meaning and purpose.

We are so grateful for your partnership Colonial Saw!

We are back! Our staff took some well deserved time off for the holidays and now we are back in the full swing of things. We welcomed a new group for our Adult Training Program yesterday and our high schoolers have returned for second semester. It has also been a busy start to 2025 for our construction, manufacturing, and city service divisions. Thank you to everyone who hired and supported our teams in 2024 and we are excited for what’s in store for 2025!