Overview of 4WARDSTEPS (the program)
PROGRAM FLOW
4WARDSTEPS is our flagship, direct-action, 90-day transitional support program, designed to move individuals from surviving → thriving. It provides trauma-informed, mental health centered care to people facing humanitarian crises such as instability and displacement.
Our program fills a critical gap in the aid ecosystem: while most crisis responses focus on food, shelter, or safety, we focus on delivering specialized mental health and wellness services to help individuals truly heal and rebuild.
Some individuals come to requiring basic needs, where we begin with
Phase 1: Stabilization (survival: shelter, food, aid, and safety), before transitioning them to Phase 2: Mental Health & Healing (therapy, EMDR, TMS, ECT, and more) and
Phase 3: Thrive (support and resources: animal therapy, community connection opportunities, education) – all focused on mental health and wellness services. Other individuals who are more stable and/or already connected to government or nonprofit systems and structures enter our program at phases 2 and 3, where we deliver specialized mental health care and long-term support they need. We provide emotional, psychological, and practical support to people experiencing humanitarian crisis, with a clear timeline and measurable outcomes.
Individuals are assigned a wellness coordinator to facilitate delivering our 3 tiers (phases) of services, designed to move people from surviving → thriving
Breakdown:
Delivery Model: Specific Demographic Groups
4WARDSTEPS operates through providing services to specific demographic groups, targeting specific populations in crises and sets up service hubs (physical or digital) to deliver our three tiers of services within the program. Every participant, regardless of demographic, is guided by a dedicated Wellness Coordinator who ensures services are delivered in a personalized, step-by-step manner.
How it Works/Program Flow: From Intake to Thriving
(3 CORE SERVICE STEPS WITHIN OUR PROCESS)
> Intake & Assessment
- Every participant is paired with a Wellness Coordinator.
- Intake determines whether they begin with Phase 1 (Stabilization) or move directly into Phases 2–3 if already stabilized through other systems.
> Phase 1 – Stabilization
Survival & Safety (Emergency Support) (applied if needed)
- For those in immediate crisis with no support system.
- Services include: cash aid, temporary shelter placement, medically tailored meals, hygiene kits, various survival resources, safety planning, emotional first aid
- Stabilization is the first step before deeper healing.
> Phase 2 – Mental Health & Healing
Direct Mental Health Services (core of program)
- One-on-one and group trauma-informed services: Counseling, group therapy, peer circles.
- Trauma-informed creative therapies: art, music, dance, gardening.
- Play therapy for children.
- Advanced interventions: EMDR (70% PTSD reduction), TMS (77% clinical response).
- Psychiatric support and medication management.
- Crisis Navigation
> Phase 3 – Thrive
Support & Resources (Wellness, Resilience, Community)
- Long-term stabilization with holistic services.
- Workshops on healing, emotional intelligence, and resilience.
- Yoga, meditation, and fitness (reduce anxiety by 40%).
- Therapeutic recreation and animal-assisted therapy (boosts adherence by 25%).
- Social/community connection opportunities.
- 24/7 crisis communication support (hotline, text, response teams)
- Life skills, Re-Anchoring, Emotional regulation
- Support and Resources
- School/work reintegration + job readiness, education, employment pathways.
Ongoing Evaluation & Transition
- Progress is monitored through regular, trauma-informed check-ins, ensuring care is responsive to each client’s needs and psychological well-being.
- After 90 days, individuals are transitioned to sustained community-based supports or advanced care as needed.
- Upon completion of the program, individuals will be equipped with appropriate strategies, guidance, tools, and resources to ensure sustainable progress.
Current Active Demographics:
Pathways Home (The Unified Demographic), supporting people experiencing housing instability & displacement. Including: Unhoused Individuals, At-Risk of Homelessness, and Displaced Youth & Young Adults (12–25)
Scale
4WARDSTEPS and each of our campaigns we launch are designed for scalability, allowing successful pilots in Los Angeles to expand nationwide and adapt to individual crises. This flexibility not only meets a growing demand for mental health services serves as an effective and replicable solution to pressing social issues.
Our History
Founded in 2022, A New Era America has spent the past three years on the ground and behind the scenes, researching, developing, and testing what truly works to heal and empower communities in crisis. Through pilot programs and direct outreach, we have helped individuals across Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and cities throughout Texas rebuild their lives with dignity, wellness, and mental health at the center. Our work is the result of years of listening, learning, and leading with compassion, proving that lasting change begins with understanding. As we expand our programs and take this nationwide, our commitment remains unwavering: to restore hope, transform systems, and help every person we serve move forward toward a brighter, more stable future.
Our Team
Our team is made up of dedicated individuals (both employees and volunteers) who are passionate about making a difference in the world, starting in the United States. From our volunteers to our board members and staff, everyone at A New Era America is committed to our mission and the individuals we serve.
We Customize Services Per Demographic
Each demographic group is offered the same 3-tier (steps) program, but services are customized to the unique trauma and environment of the target population and individual. Although the program is designed to be complete after 90 days, many clients may repeat the program for an additional 90 days depending on their state, readiness, acuteness, and overall determination by our team.