Operating out of a former Kindel Furniture factory in Grand Rapids, Next Step of West Michigan is not only training adults and students to become woodworkers but also helping them build better lives.
Founded in 2008, Next Step is a subsidiary of Mel Trotter Ministries. Working together, Next Step and MTM focus on soft skills building, spiritual formation and housing for participants who are experiencing homelessness. In addition to homelessness, Next Step provides job training and placement in wood manufacturing, construction, and city services to individuals facing barriers such as recidivism and addiction.
The Christian faith-based non-profit’s unique ability to merge industry-standard technical training with essential life-skill development was recognized by the Wood Industry Association (WIA) with its 2025 Wooden Globe Award for Educator of the Year.
The WIA Educator Award was accepted by David Bult, executive director of Next Step at the 2025 Wood Industry Conference. Bult joined the organization in 2020 and expanded its focus on workforce development by creating a recurring seven-week woodworking and job skills training program. In 2022, Next Step furthered its commitment to workforce development with the launch of its High School Wood Tech Training Program. Through that program, students from several nearby high schools learn woodworking at Next Step’s training center…