ECM’s Next Step program exists to help ensure that our children are fully prepared for life after sponsorship. It consists of three steps, all critical in guiding our children from sponsorship to a Spirit-filled life of independence, from being learners to being leaders in their families, churches, and communities.

Step 1

In this step, children in the last two years of secondary school are introduced, through the Crossroads Curriculum, to the various aspects of moving from sponsorship to independence. These include but are not limited to:

• Internships and job skills
• Financial matters, including budgeting
• Decision making
• Leadership skills
• Relationships building and service to others
• Personal spiritual growth
• Personal physical and emotional health
• Educational choices
• Correspondence with US sponsors

To accomplish this goal, ECM staff will provide:

• Counseling and guidance services
• Skills and vocational training
• Appropriate opportunities for service
• Educational mentoring opportunities

Step 2

In this step, young adults who have completed secondary school or have reached the age of 20, will receive support allowing them to successfully navigate the transition from sponsorship to independence, building on all that was learned in Step 1. This support includes the following:

• Financial support through scholarships whenever possible (see Next Step Financial Support policies)
• Vocational counseling, mentoring, training
• Spiritual guidance
• Business startup assistance

Young adults in the final year of Step 2 will be encouraged to live in an independent setting, apart from family and/or caregivers.  (At Haven of Hope in Ghana, this setting will eventually be a transition home, built on the Haven of Hope campus, designed specifically to house these young adults).  During this transition year, these young adults will be strongly encouraged to take care of their own household chores, make financial decisions, build adult relationships, and make biblical choices regarding their own physical, emotional and spiritual health, all while still receiving guidance and supervision from ECM staff.  Young adults in Step 2 include:

• University students
• Vocational students
• Gap year students
• Those starting a business

Step 3

In this step, young adults make the final transition from sponsorship to independence.  After successfully completing Step 2, young adults will leave the sponsorship program, will no longer be eligible for financial support, and will live independently of ECM supervision.  However, ALL former ECM sponsored children will continue to be eligible for non-financial support through counseling, mentoring and spiritual guidance.  They will be encouraged to seek advice from ECM staff and to give of their time, abilities and resources, to support other vulnerable children