Honoring Life, Inspiring the Future: Jessica Receives the Joshua Michael Liu Memorial Scholarship. At Next Step, we believe that every life is sacred—and that when we invest in the next generation, we’re building a future rooted in compassion, courage, and conviction. That’s why we’re honored to share the story of Jessica, the recipient of this year’s Joshua Michael Liu Memorial Scholarship. This annual scholarship was established to celebrate the life of Joshua Michael Liu, a child whose brief time on earth left a lasting legacy. It is awarded to a high school student who exemplifies a deep commitment to cherishing and valuing human life—and Jessica embodies this calling with grace and determination.

Honoring Life: Meet Sophia, the 2025 Joshua Michael Liu Memorial Scholarship Recipient. At Next Step, we believe the future of the pro-life movement is being shaped by young people who speak with boldness, compassion, and conviction. That’s why we are proud to introduce Sophia, the 2025 recipient of the Joshua Michael Liu Memorial Scholarship—an annual award given to a high school student who demonstrates a deep commitment to the value of every human life.

We were able to show Next Step moms how important and valuable they are at a recent Mother's Brunch event to celebrate them. On July 1 from 11 AM to 1 PM, we invited our clients to join us for a time of fellowship, food, pampering and gifts.

Today we celebrate the strength, sacrifice, and steady love of dads—the ones who stay, step up, and show up. We also see fathers navigating unexpected pregnancies—young men facing big decisions, often unsure of how to lead or support. Just like moms, they need encouragement, truth, and a safe place to ask, “What now?” We honor the dads who rise to the moment, even when it’s hard. And we’re here to walk with them too—because strong families start with support, and every child deserves a father who knows he matters. To the dads, mentors, and father-figures making a difference: thank you. You’re part of the story of hope.

Happy Mother’s Day! Today we celebrate the strength, courage, and love of moms everywhere—from those rocking newborns to those still wondering “Can I really do this?” At Next Step, we walk alongside women facing unexpected pregnancies, many of whom are just beginning to discover the depth of their strength. Whether she chooses parenting, adoption, or is still exploring her path, we believe every woman deserves to be honored, supported, and reminded: you are not alone.

In This Issue, learn about how God Is Using This Ministry to Save Lives with Your Support, Healing After Pregnancy Loss, Volunteer Spotlight: Doug Quadara, and more!

We partnered with Valley Community Church in Pleasanton to support their Easter in Narnia event. Inspired by C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia, attendees experienced the wonder, adventure, and beauty of the Easter story. They stepped through the wardrobe at this family friendly gathering into a world of wonder and adventure, where joy abounded, courage was kindled, and the greatest story ever told came to life.

Carrie Slaton, Next Step’s Executive Director, recently had the opportunity to participate in a Q&A panel at Harvest Valley Church in Pleasanton. The purpose was to get educated about this topic, and hear what local pro-life organizations are doing and how they’re impacting the community around this topic.

Harvest Valley Church in Pleasanton blessed Next Step with a diaper drive! Here’s a huge thank you to Christie Zulim and all the Harvest Valley donors, supporters, and volunteers who showed up to make this happen! We are so grateful for your partnership.

The Diaper Dash & Baby Shower event was amazing and helped us restock the resource room. A big thank you to all who were part of this event. We collected over 10,000 diapers and were able to see supporters face-to-face.

Merry Christmas from Next Step! Your partnership saved lives and will touch generations. Thank you for supporting Next Step in so many ways, including spiritual and financial support. We need and appreciate all the ways you partner with us to impact lives. We wish you a very happy Christmas and a 2025 full of blessing and hope.

In This Issue, learn about how God Is Using This Ministry to Save Lives, the way Knights of Columbus come to the rescue, how a woman chose life, about the Barbara Saba Award, and more!

View the year end letter for 2024 from Carrie Slaton, executive director of Next Step. She discusses the help we’re able to offer (including God’s Truth!) to women and men experiencing an unexpected pregnancy. Because of your support, our staff can give the care, compassion, time, and hope to each one who walks through the door; each an opportunity to choose life!

Thank you for your support! Our heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who has supported Next Step in monetary contributions, prayer, volunteering, and sharing this mission with others. This includes the 216 people who attended, 37 of which are new supporters of Next Step. Thanks to your support, we have successfully raised $155,000 in funds, allowing us to continue empowering women to make confident and healthy life choices. Your support makes a significant difference, and we are deeply grateful for your partnership in advancing our mission. Together, we are making a meaningful impact, and we couldn’t do it without incredible supporters like you!

Thanks to our generous donors, Next Step is honored to present the Joshua Michael Liu Memorial Scholarship to local high school seniors. This $500 scholarship underscores our passion to give back to the community and foster the value of a mother and child's lives to the next generation of young adults. 

Gianni’s Tips for change was fun and delicious for all! Volunteers & staff from Next Step—including founder Barbara Saba—served for the evening at Gianni’s in San Ramon. Tips and a percentage of sales from the night were donated directly to Next Step!

Thank you to everyone who pitched in to make the Mother's Brunch a success! Because of your generosity, Next Step clients enjoyed a delicious brunch and relaxing massage. The best part of the event was that these moms made new friends, empowering stories were shared, and those cute babies were there to be held.

As Executive Director at Next Step, I am always looking for ways to support decisions for life. That's why I was in Sacramento for the March for Life. California Family Council and March For Life hosted the 2024 March for Life in Sacramento on Monday 4/22. It was an encouraging and memorable event.

Recently we had the opportunity to present our grief program and partner with Harvest Valley Church in Pleasanton, CA in a baby bottle campaign. Next Step offers Abortion Recovery and Reproductive Grief care.

It isn’t very often we see a bill in the state of California in favor of pregnancy centers, so I am very excited to share with you, and ask you to support the upcoming SB 1368. This bill has been assigned a hearing for the Senate Education Committee on April 24.