Next Step
The Next Step Sponsorship Program supports a young person for three to four years, helping to move them from sponsorship to independence. The program equips our sponsored children for adult life so that they are fully prepared to live on their own once their sponsorship is complete. Children move into the Next Step Program, with staff approval, after the completion of the general child sponsorship program.
Children in the Next Step Program, working with ECM staff, develop a written plan to guide them as they make the transition to a more independent life. The young person may choose to attend university, start a business, or choose vocational training or apprenticeship to enter a trade. The sponsors are given the option to support the young person through these critical steps until they are fully ready to start life on their own. Once they complete their training or higher education, they move on from the Next Step Program and begin supporting themselves while still receiving emotional support, mentoring, and spiritual guidance from our international staff.
The program 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.
The first step occurs before the child enters the Next Program formally. 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
In the second step, young adults who have completed secondary school or have reached the age of 20, move officially into the Next Step Program. They receive various forms of support allowing them to successfully navigate the transition from sponsorship to independence, building on all that was learned in previous training. This support includes the following:
- Financial support through scholarships whenever possible
- Vocational counseling, mentoring, training
- Spiritual guidance
- Business startup assistance
In the final step, young adults make the final transition from sponsorship to independence. After successfully completing all earlier training, 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.
If you would like to sponsor a Next Step child, click here.
Click here to give to ECM's Next Step Scholarship Program to provide financial assistance to students pursuing higher level education.
Click here to give to ECM's Business Start Up Grant Program to provide start up capital for young entrepreneurs!
Watch our Next Step video to hear directly from some of the kids involved in the program. Or click here to see more of ECM's videos.