Next Steps Today is a nonprofit dedicated to helping men maintain sobriety after completing rehab by providing a structured development program and transitional housing in several dedicated homes. Their mission is to offer more than just support. They aim to build a brotherhood rooted in accountability, strength, and transformation.

The challenge was to create a brand identity that felt raw and real, moving away from the cold, clinical look often associated with recovery programs. It needed to reflect the grit of the journey and foster unity among men choosing a new way of life. With high turnover common in recovery, the brand had to be strong enough to be embraced immediately, something participants could wear with pride.

After a creative session with the Executive Director, we anchored the brand in the metaphor of the journey, twisting, rising, and relentless. Drawing inspiration from topographic maps, we designed a visual identity with grounded colors and bold, unapologetic typography to reflect resilience and forward motion.

Originally envisioned as an online only program with a five year goal of opening its first home, Next Steps Today launched its first house in just six months. The brand’s clarity and strength created immediate trust, filled homes within 24 hours of opening, and fueled rapid expansion to seven houses with a waiting list that continues to grow.

As Executive Director Kyle Marsh put it, “When we open a house, it gets filled in 24 hours.”