As our leaders prepare to leave for Europe to visit a few of the new and established program locations for training, mentorship and assessment, we thought it timely to address a question we often get asked: “What does it look like for a new program to actually start? How does this happen?”
Well, great questions first of all. As the SA Foundation we are privileged to be a replicating movement of freedom, where we can impart years of history, wisdom and knowledge to other leaders to support and empower them to open up new doors of recovery and healing in their cities. This is crucial now more than ever in such a desperate world.
The need is evident in every country worldwide, so as an organization our heart has always been for women anywhere to experience true hope and new life. This injustice must end throughout the nations, and it starts with each of us recognizing the need and leaning into what God is personally asking of us.
For some, this looks like a fiery passion to work against this evil, through advocacy and rallying others. For others, it is to financially support the ministries involved in anti- trafficking. For still others, there is a deep conviction that they want to help the women affected more personally– to walk alongside them through the ups and downs of recovery and healing, helping them towards starting a new life. All are valid and necessary, but each is a distinct role that one must come to understand for themselves and pursue with open hands.
When an individual expresses a deep sense of desire and conviction to work with the women, often they have already begun researching the need in their city and partnered with other organizations working with marginalized groups. Some have ministries within churches that desire to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need. They come to find out about the work of the SA Foundation in planting programs and desire to know more or become a location for recovery, so they reach out and contact us.
We do everything in relationship, so this is where it starts–coming to know that person or team and working with them in this journey from desire to operating. This is not a fast process, so that each person can feel well-equipped and have longevity in this line of ministry.
Here is a very concise overview of the process to seeing a new program established.
- The SA leaders are able to meet online with these individuals, hear their hearts and what they desire to see established in their city
- They ask for at least 3 leaders to be in place to establish a team that will support the frontline ministry in program, operations and mentorship capacities.
- This team must gain charity status to establish themselves and develop relationships with the local service providers.
- The SA Foundation provides support through grants, formation of a team, as well as spirituality, assessment, training and mentorship to help establish this program, sharing all the values, principles and the SA Program Model that has been uniquely designed to meet the needs of the women.
- Training and support continue in a 5-year development and relational journey to see the program as well-established and self-supporting as able, serving the needs of the women locally
- SA Programs and leaders share and support one another through our SA Global Network.
Over the years we have been privileged to work with amazing global leaders and have helped 15 programs start within 8 countries, helping an estimated 6100 women and 2000 children (to date) to be set free from slavery. THIS IS WHY WE EXIST! We are very excited for a potential new program in Bologna to continue through the training and assessment to become a new door to freedom within Italy. If you are interested in finding out more about program development and the steps needed, please view our website www.safoundation.com for details or get contact details here: https://www.safoundation.com/contact