One Step A La Vez has a long history of providing a safe space for youth involved in the juvenile justice system to explore their goals, recognize their strengths, and discover the power of their own voice. We understand that when young people exhibit extreme behavior, it often stems from extreme trauma. As Richard Rohr wisely states, “If you don’t transform your suffering, you’ll transmit it.” By visiting youth in juvenile facilities and building trust early on, we create relationships that increase the likelihood of them engaging with our teen center once they return to their community.

Our Next Step program supports youth with signing up for court-ordered classes, completing community service hours, and providing transportation to probation and court appointments—all with the goal of helping every youth successfully finish their probation. Along the way, they develop social skills beyond their usual peer groups, strengthen bonds with caring staff, and build friendships that support healthier choices.

Through the Next Step program, youth referred by Probation or community partners not only gain access to all the resources of the teen center—such as tutoring, mentoring, art classes, music lessons, daily meals, field trips, and career readiness workshops—but also receive personalized case management to ensure they meet the terms of their probation. This holistic support helps address the root causes of behavior, equipping young people with tools for long-term success.

The Next Step Program also operates as an Evening Reporting Center for the Santa Clara River Valley Region, in partnership with the Ventura County Probation Agency, whose long-standing juvenile justice reform efforts in collaboration with the Burns Institute and the YES Collaborative (Youth Equity & Success) continue to reshape opportunities for local youth. One Step A La Vez proudly participates in the YES Collaborative, which works to reduce racial disparities in Ventura County’s juvenile justice system and advocates for directing county and state resources to community-based organizations.

Research consistently shows that investing in prevention and community-based youth development not only transforms individual lives but also reduces poverty and crime, strengthens community safety, and yields significant social and economic benefits for society as a whole. By helping youth heal within their own communities rather than through detention, One Step A La Vez and programs like Next Step foster resilience, reduce recidivism, and create pathways for brighter futures.