After high school, Debria Douglas wasn’t sure what came next. “I didn’t know if I wanted to go to college or just stay home […] I just didn’t know what I was going to do with my life.” It was her sister, an alum of the Adult Career Training Pharmacy Technician Pathway, who encouraged her to look into WMCAT programs. While the Adult Career Training pathways didn’t feel like the right fit, Step Year at WMCAT presented an opportunity for Debria to align her passion with her unique future. The emphasis on college and career exploration caught her eye and gave Debria the chance to explore her passions with guidance and a clear plan.
“I made a lot of beautiful friends [in Step Year]. I call them my family now.”
“When I first stepped off the elevator [to WMCAT], I knew this was going to be a good space for me.” Surrounded by a supportive community and a group of peers who quickly became close friends, Debria began to see her future more clearly. Through the Step Year curriculum, she reconnected with her passion for cooking and discovered the steps needed to pursue her goal of being a chef. Debria is now planning to attend Grand Rapids Community College for Culinary Arts, with dreams and a plan to own her own business.
The Spring 2025 Step Year cohort posing with their projects at Bare All Clothing.
Debria on a boat tour during the Step Year, end of the year Toronto Trip.