METHOD OVERVIEW
NEXT is a weekday program for adults affected by disability in the West Michigan community. This program is designed to support individuals with a 5:1 staff ratio. We offer a robust scholarship program to help families afford this program.
NEXT offers a comprehensive and specialized adult program committed to whole person growth and development. Our wide array of programs fosters growth in independence, vocational skills, and community engagement. Using a person-centered approach, our experienced staff help participants identify goals and natural talents that can be developed.
NEXT PARTICIPANTS CHOOSE FROM AN ARRAY OF CREATIVE AND PURPOSEFUL LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT FOSTER INTELLECTUAL, SPIRITUAL, EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL WELLNESS.
INDEPENDENT GROWTH
Why: Independent Growth prioritizes the individual’s goals and dreams to work on maintaining skills and fostering new skills to achieve their aspirations. As individuals grow in independence they gain confidence, self-worth and sense of purpose.
What: Participants work toward mastery in tasks of daily living, social, leisure, and vocational skills.
How: Utilizing task analysis participants develop skills essential for adult life.
Daily Living Skills
Social Skills
Leisure Skills
Vocational Skills
SOCIAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Why: Utilizing a strengths-based approach, Social Skill Development supports individuals to grow the ability to self-advocate, self-regulate, and have meaningful engagement with others. Together we create a reliable support system that fosters reciprocity, genuine relationships and an active social network.
What: NEXT participants grow in the ability to interact and communicate with others in a positive way.
How: Growth in social skills occurs through intentional social skill coaching while engaging in structured learning experiences with peers. Participants grow in their ability to follow directions, complete purposeful tasks, and problem solve.
Social Skills
Sensory Integration
RPM (Rapid Prompting Method)
Community Outings and Volunteering
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Why: The practice of providing access to opportunities and resources within the broad community reinforces the value of all humans and expands community acceptance of individuals affected by disability.
What: Strategic partnerships with local organizations and businesses afford creative opportunities to fully engage in our community.
How: NEXT participants meaningfully contribute to the broad community through:
Community Volunteering
Campus Stewardship
IMAGINATIVE EXPRESSION
Why: The arts allow creative expression of one’s thoughts, feelings, and unique gifting. NEXT participants grow in confidence as they express themselves in original and artistic ways.
What: NEXT provides an avenue to engage an individual's imagination in art, dance, drama, and music. Exploring different techniques, history, and application of the arts gives participants a robust learning experience.
How: NEXT offers creative programming designed to allow individual expression to bloom:
Creative Arts
Sensory Integration
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Why: Health and Wellness impacts our ability to participate in community, to achieve goals and fully engage in abundant life.
What: Exercise and proper nutrition contribute to physical and emotional regulation and well-being.
How: Health and wellness programming focuses on creating healthy rhythms that contribute to wellness. Creative programming equips participants to care well for their bodies and the earth.
Daily Fitness Groups
Culinary
Horticulture
Barn
INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT
Why: A life-long learning model affirms dignity, stimulates learning, and expands engagement. It makes the world bigger.
What: Participants grow in breadth and depth of understanding of self, humanity, and the world through rich and relevant programming.
How: We presume intelligence and communicate with one another accordingly. Using dignity-based communication and age-appropriate content participants expand in ability to think, reason, and organize ideas.
Reading Around the World
Newsletter
RPM (Rapid Prompting Method)
Sensory Integration
SPIRITUAL GROWTH*
Why: The transforming power of the love of Christ changes lives.
What: We believe an understanding of God’s word enables us to live together in grace, celebrate one another as image bearers, and bring the light of Christ to the world.
How: NEXT programming is infused with Biblical teaching that values all humans, and helps us live abundant life together.
Morning Devotions
On-site Pastoral Care & Counseling
*Funded by the Church of Benjamin’s Hope, Spiritual Growth programs are optional and available for any NEXT participant who chooses to participate.
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
Why: Individuals gain a special sense of ownership and accomplishment through learned vocational skills while creating tangible products.
What: Social enterprise is centered around creating opportunities to empower people.
How: All of our Social Enterprises endeavors honor the dignity of people through the making of real products and by providing work experiences that create real improvement to the environment.
Market Products
Campus Stewardship
Horticulture
Community Volunteering
FAQ
When and how often does “NEXT” occur?
This program occurs 5 days a week from 9am-3:30pm. We have 3 options:
Full time (5 full days a week: Mon - Fri)
Part time (3 full days a week: Mon, Wed, Fri)
Part time (2 full days a week: Tues & Thurs)
Half days are not an option.
What is program eligibility based on?
Participants must be successful in a cohort with a 5:1 staff ratio. Cohorts are designed for 10 individuals supported by 2 staff.
As a participant, do I need to bring lunch?
Participants are to provide their own lunches and a snack. Microwave is available for use on campus!
Who are the staff of NEXT?
NEXT Sidekicks: Work alongside participants in the cohort during all programming and provide direct care when needed.
Program Leaders: Facilitate and run the program itself.
Is transportation included?
Participants will need their own transportation to and from Benjamin’s Hope.
What is the age range of participants?
This program is designed for adults who have completed schooling and are ages 18 and up.
How much does NEXT cost?
For individuals who private pay the cost is $80/day. We offer a robust need-based scholarship program.
Some NEXT participants receive Medicaid funding through a contractual arrangement with their community mental health provider. Community Mental Health determines eligibility. If participant desires to utilize Medicaid funding to attend NEXT please have your supports coordinator contact us!
Next steps!
Our NEXT program is currently full and we are not scheduling any evaluations at this time. You are welcome to complete an intake form here, however we will not get back to you until we are ready to start a new cohort, likely not until fall of 2024. The next cohort start date is dependent on staffing. Please be patient with us as you wait for a response.
If you have any questions, please send an email to next@benjaminshope.net.