Empowering the world
Trudy Parks was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA into a family of civil servants. With a father and grandfather in law enforcement, an aspiring singer/song writer mother in banking and grandmothers involved in social work and distinguished community organizations, Trudy always knew her path would likewise be one of service.
After graduating from St. Mary's Academy, an all-girl Catholic high school and inspired by the successful careers of her parents, Trudy began her colligate career on a path to obtaining a degree in social work. Knowing only that someday she would use it to somehow benefit and be of service to children and young adults. In 1993, Trudy and her family relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada. While working full-time, Trudy managed to raise her four children primarily as a single parent and still continue her pursuit of a college education.
Then, in May of 2000, Trudy's 20 year old niece, Lori Renee Gonzalez, was slain in a senseless, gang related incident. This devastating event strengthened her resolve to become a part of the solution rather than a passive observer. To that end, Trudy then changed her college major to a degree program which focused on establishing and building organizational programs and/or foundations. She also, began working for After School All-Stars; an organization whose primary focus is keeping at-risk kids engaged in positive activities during normally unsupervised times. That job led to an additional employment opportunity with WESTCARE Nevada, a live-in facility for young girls with acute drug problems and extensive behavioral and emotional issues. During her time at WESTCARE Nevada, Trudy noticed that, within 30 days of graduating the program, a high percentage of the teens would be returned to the facility. After spending time with these girls, she realized this high rate of recidivism was due to the fact that the youth lacked the tools needed to make the transition from being abused and neglected children to healthy, educated, prepared adults.Â
In 2005, having just matriculated with Honors, Summa Cum Laude, from the University of Nevada Las Vegas with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Recreation and Leisure, Trudy began to formulate a business plan around the idea of establishing several group homes in the Las Vegas area. The Mission of this organization would be to provide troubled teens with shelter, tools and the skills necessary to take their “NeXt Step” towards becoming viable, independent adults; “Xposing” them to a vision of an optimistic future. Trudy would go on to partner with her mother, Rev. Carolyne “Isis” Fuqua, PhD, the co-founder of The Foundation for the S.T.A.R.S., (Souls Taking Action Reaching Souls - a nonprofit organization that reaches out to address some of the difficulties that plague under-privileged youth in the inner-cities of America with the belief that every dream should at least have the opportunity to be realized.) As a result, NeXt Step; Xposure to Life Group Homes, was established as a branch of S.T.A.R.S.Â
In December 2006, Trudy's initial dream became realized when she opened her first group home location in Las Vegas, Nevada, The Lori Renee House , named after her beloved niece.
The Lori Renee House was created to be a safe, nurturing and supportive environment for young women, ages 14-18.
Since then, Trudy has continued to build on her initial dream. As of May 2009, the following houses, programs and projects have also been launched:
Little Sisters House (House 33) – Due to the increasing number of young women in need of these services, the Little Sisters House opened its doors in January 2008 for girls ages 12-17.
Fuller House (House 24) – Recognizing that these issues affect young women and young men alike, the Fuller House was created in October 2008 to house young males ages 11-18.
Caring Adolescent Mothers (CAM) House (House 36) – The CAM House was created in November 2008 to provide shelter, prenatal care, support, family cohesion, encouragement, parenting classes and more to pregnant teenage girls and teen mothers with newborns.
Sibling Houses (House 21 & 61) - The Sibling Houses were created in April 2009 to help minimize the trauma of separation that siblings, just entering the foster care system, encounter when they are sent to different foster homes after being taken away from their parent(s).
Empowered Women - A Sisterhood - This program was developed to “Xpose” the young ladies of NeXt Step to the strength and benefits of a goal-oriented sisterhood. They create and participate in community service projects in and around Las Vegas, as well as trips to different US cities. They have been invited to give talks and participate in forums that allow them to share their life stories in an innovative way. By giving them an opportunity to share their stories, we see that, the participants are able to recognize their strengths, embrace their past, and thus raise their self-esteem. The purpose of the sisterhood is to inspire all youth to love themselves and to strive to live an extraordinary life, regardless of how that life started.
NeXt Step...Teen Talk Radio Show - Launched in May 2009, the youth of NeXt Step will be interviewed and engage in group discussions about various topics that affect teens on an internet radio show airing live every Saturday from 1:00-2:00pm PST. , (www.alltalkradio.net)