Why NextGen Adults exists

About NextGen Adults

Learn why NextGen Adults was founded and how its free, practical resources help teens and young adults prepare for independence.

A diverse group of young adults planning their next steps together

Our mission

NextGen Adults exists to provide young adults with practical resources for mastering essential life skills, advancing their careers, and building financial independence. The goal is to bridge the gap between classroom education and everyday adult responsibilities.

About the founder

Vernon J. DeFlanders Sr. is a U.S. Air Force veteran and retired federal logistics engineer with more than 20 years of federal service. Throughout his career, he trained, mentored, and led young professionals stepping into adult responsibilities for the first time.

He repeatedly saw capable young people enter adulthood without practical instruction in budgeting a paycheck, reading a lease, preparing for an interview, or handling setbacks. NextGen Adults is his response: a plain-language library of useful guidance without lectures or unnecessary complexity.

Vernon is also a published author whose work focuses on character, resilience, and life skills.

Core values

  • Practical wisdom
  • Accessibility
  • Growth through consistent effort
  • Personal responsibility
  • Confidence built through preparation
  • Respect for different starting points
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Useful guidance for money, career, housing, and real life. Free, practical, and easy to use.