Our Programs

All of Next Step's programs are built on our belief that if you empower seriously ill young people with the right tools and knowledge they will begin asking "Whats Next?" instead of "Why me?"  We serve a diverse group of teens and young adults with serious illnesses, including HIV/AIDS, cancer, sickle cell disease, and metabolic and mitochondrial disorders. Programs are free of charge to participants, and take place in New England and across the country in partnership with local hospitals and service organizations.

Our approach is unique. We embrace technology but also emphasize in-person community building. A key part of our impact lies in the relationships built among the youth. The only person in the world who can understand what it's like to hide in the bathroom between classes so you can take your HIV meds without anyone seeing is another young person who's had that same experience. And the power of that shared experience can be life-changing. 

Our youth participants advise content and co-design curricula, resulting in programs that speak to youth in their own language and are remarkably successful at keeping youth engaged and learning. Programs are intentionally kept small, and many meet multiple times throughout the year, enabling us to give youth the in-depth, individualized attention they deserve.