About Us
NextStep Recycling
Providing Employment and Keeping Electronic Waste Out of Landfills
Mission
Our mission is to provide technology and training to children and adults who have barriers to employment and education, while protecting our environment and community from hazardous waste.
Vision
Our vision is to be passionate people in service to the world through partnerships, education, training and environmental awareness. We support the education, job training, and placement programs we offer for youth graduating foster care, adults with disabilities, seniors, families leaving domestically violent relationships, migrant worker family members, and underfunded schools and nonprofits.
NextStep Recycling
Our Story
Since 1999, NextStep Recycling has been working to improve the environment and help those in need. We take donations of computers and other electronic devices, refurbish them, and put them back into the community. We also recycle over 2 million pounds of electronic waste each year. Our 10,000 volunteers have donated over 280,000 hours of service, and 5000 people have enhanced their employment marketability through our training programs.
NextStep Recycling
Our Founder
After 25 years of working class jobs, Lorraine was injured in a car accident and was forced to retrain. Her family urged her to try college. Lorraine resisted when she learned students had to use computers. The computer was a symbol of “what smart people” use—and this was a barrier to her understanding that she could be successful in school. During this time, Lorraine was diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome, which she reports was “one of the greatest moments in my life, it explained the world to me.” Suddenly, life made more sense. Before the diagnosis, “I spent years thinking I was stupid, inferior, and a danger to others.
When I was diagnosed autistic, I discovered my intelligence and capabilities. For that, I am forever grateful”. After additional prodding by her family, she enrolled in an adult education computer class to see if she could learn how to use a computer.
Lorraine was fortunate to have had a patient and supportive teacher and discovered that, like others who fall on the Autistic Spectrum, the computer was very friendly and a great communication tool. To her shock and amazement, Lorraine ended up graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Oregon, with a Bachelor's of Education degree in Family and Community Services.
Degree in hand, she went to work as a Social Service Specialist in the Oregon Department of Child Welfare in 2000, out of a desire to help children who were in situations similar to those in her own life. Because of her own struggles, Lorraine has always been determined to do whatever she could to make life easier for other children than it was for her growing up. Technology ended up being the tool she needed.
After her first computer died, Lorraine discovered she had a knack at fixing computers, and so she set about finding old ones, refurbishing them, and then gifting them to children and families who couldn’t afford to buy them—many of these recipients were the people with whom she was working at Child Welfare. She quickly discovered that demand, and need, was very high.
She found some other folks in her community who were interested in refurbishing computers and had the desire to address the digital divide, but not the means to find community members who needed access to technology. She brought the hobbyists, the geeks, and those who needed computers together.
In 2004 she took a giant leap: she quit her job and moved her little enterprise out of the garage into a real warehouse. Lorraine continued to work on building services and programs to address the needs of the community and today NextStep is a thriving community service organization with 33 employees, 10 volunteer ReUse Ambassadors, an ongoing group of Lane County Master Recyclers, and hundreds of volunteers.
NextStep now occupies over 35,000 square feet in two separate locations—much of which is used to offer free job training for community members. To date, NextStep has trained over 10,000 individuals, many who are on the autism spectrum. Lane County, OR has one of the highest autism rates in the nation – one in every 90 children are diagnosed as having autism in the community.
Lorraine has modeled her belief that everyone can participate in education and has gone on to earn her Masters in Social Work.
Lorraine continues to provide support and guidance to the organization she founded as a volunteer. Lorraine is a member of the DEQ Oregon E-Cycles workgroup and a City of Eugene Human Rights Commissioner. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the Social Welfare Action Alliance. She is a member of the Kindtree Autism Productions - Autism Rocks Board of Directors as well as a member of the Better Eugene-Springfield Transit Board of Advisors. She is a past co-founder and Board Member of the GreenLane Sustainable Business Network, a member of the Lane Community College Computer Information Technology Advisory Committee, and is a proud Lane County Master Recycler. Lorraine is a passionate advocate for people on the autism spectrum, for trauma survivors, and for people who experience disabilities. Lorraine believes that all people are brilliant, no matter what label they carry, and should be treated with respect and dignity.
Watch Lorraine's story on YouTube
NextStep Recycling
Meet Our Team
Jessica Ahrenholtz
Executive Director
Cedric Rudd
NextStep Board President
Mara Gregory
Secretary
Judith Conrad
Sandi Patton
Ivy Dreyer-Goldman
Board Member
Noelia King
Mike Grudzien
Kurt Eickhorst
NextStep Recycling
Awards
2020
Above and Beyond Award – Jessica Ahrenholtz, NextStep Recycling – from Springfield Chamber of Commerce Greeters
2021
Supporting Student Success Award – Jessica Ahrenholtz, NextStep Recycling – from Oregon Black Education Foundation
2023
Extraordinary Achievement Award – Jessica Ahrenholtz, NextStep Recycling – from Springfield Chamber of Commerce Greeters
2024
Eugene’s Outstanding Women in Business – Jessica Ahrenholtz, NextStep Recycling – from Highlite – What’s Happening in Eugene
2024
Business Person of the Year – Jessica Ahrenholtz, NextStep Recycling – from Springfield Chamber of Commerce
NextStep Recycling
Affiliations
Reuse Alliance
Reuse Alliance is building a community of like-minded individuals and organizations across the country that is revolutionizing the way we look at waste.
Oregon E-Cycles
Oregon E-Cycles
Oregon E-Cycles, Oregon’s free electronics recycling program, will become even more popular when the state’s disposal ban on computers, monitors, and televisions goes into effect on January 1, 2010.
Association of Oregon Recyclers
Association of Oregon Recyclers
The Association of Oregon Recyclers is a not-for-profit coalition of individuals, governments, not-for-profit organizations, and businesses committed to encouraging waste prevention and recycling in Oregon.
Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce
Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce
For more than 100 years, the Eugene Chamber has been committed to meeting the local business community’s needs. Our 1,200 members share a commitment and passion for doing business in Eugene.
Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce
Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber of Commerce in Springfield is an active leader in promoting a healthy and prosperous community.
National Cristina Foundation
National Cristina Foundation
Founded in 1984, the National Cristina Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation that promotes technology reuse allowing people with disabilities, students at risk, and economically disadvantaged persons the opportunity, through training, to lead more independent and productive lives.
Emerald Valley Development Professionals
Emerald Valley Development Professionals
Emerald Valley Development Professionals is a professional association formed to advance the public interest and knowledge of fund development and to encourage the professional growth of members through the exchange of information, ideas, and promotion of educational programs statewide.
Jessica Ahrenholtz
Executive Director
Jessica Ahrenholtz is the Executive Director of NextStep Recycling, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit electronics recycler in Eugene, OR.
Jessica began her career at NextStep Recycling in 2018. She has served as NextStep’s ReUse Store Manager, Director of Marketing, Grant writer, Assistant Executive Director, Community Outreach Director, Volunteer Coordinator and became NextStep’s Executive Director in 2023.
Jessica has received many community awards, including most recently, Eugene’s 2024 Outstanding Women in Business and the Springfield Chamber’s 2024 Business Person of the Year.
Jessica loves helping others and works non-stop to assist as many people in our community as possible, providing much needed computers and Job Skills Training to so many with education and employment barriers.
Cedric Rudd
NextStep Board President
Cedric Rudd, Sr. serves as the Director of Sales & Marketing for VIP Hospitality at EVEN Hotels, where he leads strategic initiatives in sales growth, marketing innovation, and revenue management. With a foundation in Business Administration and Management from DeVry University, Cedric brings a results-driven approach and a proven ability to cultivate strong client relationships. His leadership has been instrumental in driving performance excellence and advancing VIP Hospitality’s position in a competitive marketplace.
Mara Gregory
Secretary
Mara, a Eugene native, began her real estate career in 2013 and now serves as a Principal Broker for Keller Williams Realty and the Head Productivity Coach for the Xperience Brokerage Network. With a passion for helping clients and agents alike, she combines her entrepreneurial spirit with years of experience to deliver exceptional value. Mara has served as the 2023 President of the Springfield Board of Realtors, is in her 8th year on the Agent Leadership Council, and serves as the Principal Broker Director for Springfield Realtors, where she is dedicated to fostering growth, professionalism, and success in the real estate community.
Judith Conrad
Treasurer
Judith Conrad is trained to access inner intuitive communication skills with a no-nonsense style. Her extraordinary intuitive gifts make her an exceptional spiritual guide and intuitive mentor for both business and professional development. Seekers learn through intuitive guidance and sacred deepening tools & intuitive life coaching. Judith, with over 40 years of experience, has hosted radio and TV programs, showcasing her intuitive abilities.
Judith Conrad has been coaching business, personal, and intuitive skills for more than 40 years. Before her current career, she taught German, Spanish, and English at De Anza High School near San Francisco, California. She founded ‘Friendship Tours’, leading trips to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and spiritual journeys to Machu Picchu.
Judith Conrad is a Personal, Business, and Spiritual Coach with intensive Intuitive Development study and archetypal and symbolic exploration. Judith Conrad is a practical (Bottom Line) Intuitive. She always knew she was unique. On May 5th, 1984, Judith attended her first Intuitive Development Class.
It has been proven that leaders, CEOs and innovators use their intuitive skills. They can tap into their visionary overview of where the company, leaders & employees would best serve the mission & purpose of the organization. I have trained multiple entrepreneurs on the organization, purpose, action, and project management. Because I speak Spanish and German, I have worked with clients in Europe, Buenos Aires, and Lima.
Sandi Patton
Board Member
I am a native Oregonian and have lived in Eugene all but a couple of years. I had 2 daughters and I am
currently retired. I have been into recycling and reuse before it was popular. I started using cloth grocery
bags around 2000, used the recycling cans as soon as they were made available by the garbage pickup
people and bought from 2nd hand places. Being a part of NextStep’s Board of Directors has been
important to me, I love the reuse store, I haven’t purchased a new computer since Window’s 7 and I love
recommending them to others. I have had a computer since the mid 80’s when home computers first
became available (PC not Apple) that was obsolete 6 months after spending $3,000 on it. We where the
first in the neighborhood to have internet, the old dial-up kind.
Ivy Dreyer-Goldman
Board Member
Ivy Dreyer-Goldman is an Associate Social Worker at LifeStance Behavioral Health where she provides mental health services. Ivy has 20+ years’ experience in business development and operations and 5 in behavioral health. Prior to joining LifeStance she was the Executive Director for Kaiser’s Medi-Cal Health Plan Administration. She has served in executive leadership positions with Fortune 50 to 100 companies including United Health Care, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana Inc. and Molina Health Care. Her commitment to exceptional business relations, rigorous financial management and operational improvement have contributed to her success in multi-faceted, growth-focused business settings.
Ivy has served on numerous councils and boards, including the Oregon Health Policy Board Cost Target Committee, TRI-YMCA Board of Directors. She holds a Master of Industrial Social Work (MSW) from University of Southern California, a BA in Organizational Psychology from Antioch University and a Six Sigma Black Belt from Acuity Institute.
Chris Christensen
Board Member
Employer – PacificSource for 6 years now with Data Maintenance 😊
Formerly worked in Banking and Sales
I was an active member with Greeters for years and spent a year on the board.
Hobbies include, Lifting, nerdly board games and time with friends.
Noelia King
Board Member
Noelia is the CEO and Head Matchmaker of PNW Matchmaking and a certified science-based dating and relationship coach. With a background in psychology and entrepreneurship, she has built her career on creating meaningful connections and helping people thrive personally and professionally.
She brings that same relational lens to her role on the NextStep Recycling Board, supporting the mission to bridge the digital divide and promote sustainable reuse. Passionate about equity and innovation, Noelia contributes strategic vision, community engagement, and a strong commitment to reducing waste while expanding access to technology.
She is proud to help NextStep connect people, resources, and opportunities for a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Mike Grudzien
Board Member
Mike is a consummate sales and business development professional, always offering the highest level of integrity, service and commitment to a client’s success. Professionalism and work habits were forged during 4 years of service in the United States Marine Corps. Prides himself on being available, and personally answering calls, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Coming from a background in advertising and marketing, his B2B sales experience, both domestic & international, ranges from technology (software, hardware, video, telecom, data networks & equipment) to corporate services. He is successful and comfortable with sales of either products or services, business development or marketing projects.
Kurt Eickhorst
Board Member
Kurt Eickhorst is a dedicated sales and marketing professional with more than 35 years of experience spanning broadcasting, construction, landscaping, and consumer products. For the past six years, he has been part of Mielke Broadcasting Company, leading sales, marketing, and community outreach initiatives that connect local businesses with audiences across the region.
Before joining Mielke Broadcasting, Kurt owned and operated Riversedge Construction for 15 years, managing both residential and commercial projects with a focus on quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction. Earlier in his career, he worked in the nursery and landscape industry, serving as a Division Manager in the wholesale sector for seven years. He also spent 15 years with Coca-Cola USA, where he developed a strong foundation in sales, customer service, and brand promotion.
Kurt’s extensive background in business development and community engagement reflects his commitment to helping local enterprises grow and thrive through trusted partnerships and innovative solutions.