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Stand Up: Vulnerable Adults Safety Standards

As Jesus ministered here on earth, he worked many wondrous miracles. They were often centered around people with special needs; the lame, blind, deaf, mute, and other vulnerable people. Jesus cares deeply about people with disabilities. As Christians, we long to be like Jesus. We want to align our hearts and our priorities with God’s.

One way we can do that is by caring for people with unique needs and challenges. We can proactively protect, minister, and love them well. We’re expanding our Safety Standards to include abuse prevention for vulnerable adults. We want to help you protect people with special needs, disabilities, and the elderly.

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What are Disabilities?

According to the National Library of Medicine1, a disability is any condition of your body or mind which makes it harder to participate in activities, accomplish goals, and interact with the world around you. There are many different kinds of disabilities, and they can all occur to varying degrees. For example, while one person may walk with a cane, another may require a wheelchair.

In the United States, more than 1 in 4 adults have a disability of some kind. Some disabilities may be obvious, such as those that necessitate a wheelchair or seeing eye dog. Others may be less obvious, such as difficulty hearing, learning, or processing information. Some people are born with special needs, while others develop them later in life due to injury, illness, or age.

As Christians we view all human beings as precious, wonderfully made, and created in the image of God. Tragically, abusers often target the weak and vulnerable. This is why child abuse is such a prevalent crime. And just as an abuser may target a child, so they may target a vulnerable adult. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, people with disabilities are over three times more likely to be abused than people without disabilities.

Disabilities May Effect Your:

  • Vision
  • Hearing
  • Movement
  • Thinking
  • Memory
  • Learning
  • Communication
  • Development
  • Mental Health
  • Social Interaction
  • Relationships

1https://medlineplus.gov/disabilities.html

”"Ministries should be excited about this initiative because it honors people with disabilities as equals in ministry and in church life. Jesus honored people with disabilities by dedicating much of his earthly ministry to serving them. God sees people with disabilities as important. This initiative is exciting because it will help churches fulfill the Luke 14 mandate to ‘go out into the streets and allies, the highways and byways, find the disabled, the lame and the blind, bring them in so that the Father's house will be full.’ If God’s house is to be full, then we as Christians need to be trustworthy to protect those we invite in.”

Kimi ArcherSenior Director of Global Missions & Internships at Joni and Friends
Learn more about Joni and Friends

We Can Stand Up for Vulnerable Adults

Join ECAP by supporting our STAND UP Campaign! Whether you commit to pray for our efforts, share vital information with your community, or contribute financially, we can STAND UP for the weak and vulnerable; STAND UP against abuse and injustice; STAND UP for Jesus and the integrity of his bride.

At ECAP, we want to make your ministry into a sanctuary. We are working with counselors, physicians, attorneys, abuse survivors, and people with disabilities, to expand our Safety Standards, making them broader and more robust. In the coming months, ECAP will not only proactively protect children, but vulnerable adults as well.

In STAND UP, our goal is to raise $40,000 for the development and publication of vulnerable adult abuse prevention standards. These funds will help ECAP cover:

  • Travel and Office Expenses
  • Editorial and Administrative Staff
  • Legal Review
  • Publishing
  • Marketing and Communications

By sponsoring our STAND UP campaign, you can become part of something truly groundbreaking. You can help us develop protection policies and safety standards that defend the very people who Jesus himself prioritized: the lame, blind, deaf, mute, and all those among us who need a loving hand.

support this initiative

Scott Beard
Committee Chair

Scott Beard has devoted his 35 year professional career to advocating for crime victims as a lawyer, government agency director, non-profit agency director and community advocate. His consulting projects include working for national victim service agencies and faith based organizations. He received his BA from Clemson University and his JD from the University of Denver. He is a Member of the South Carolina Bar, although currently inactive.

Scott is nationally recognized for his work on issues for crime victim rights and services. He has extensive experience developing child protection policies for Faith Communities.

Jennifer Greenberg
Stand Up Ambassador

Jennifer Greenberg is an author, recording artist, and survivor of child abuse and domestic violence. As the author of Not Forsaken: A Story of Life After Abuse, Jennifer Michelle Greenberg has risen to become one of the foremost voices against child abuse in the church. She writes for Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, and the Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention. Jennifer also develops resources for Christian leaders and counselors to help them identify abusers, respond responsibly to crisis situations, and minister to abuse victims and survivors in a wise and loving manner. Besides her theological and ministerial work, she enjoys writing adult fantasy and science fiction novels, singing, and composing music. Jennifer and her husband, Jason, live in Texas with their three young children.

Sponsorship Opportunities

STAND UP to protect vulnerable adults

Advocate Level

$ 2000

Full Campaign
  • Premium Membership for one year
  • Name and logo featured on ECAP website
  • Social media mention

Mercy Level

$ 5000

Full Campaign
  • Premium Membership for two years
  • Name and logo featured on ECAP website
  • Exclusive social media post
  • Social media mentions throughout campaign

Blessing Level

$ 10,000

Full Campaign
  • National Membership for one year
  • Panelist at Digital Townhall Events
  • Featured article on ECAP website*
  • Name and logo prominently featured on ECAP website
  • Exclusive social media post
  • Social media mentions throughout campaign
  • Opportunity to provide small branded item for online giveaway*

*Subject to approval

Miracle Level

$ 20,000

Full Campaign
  • National Membership for two years
  • VIP Representation at Multiple Digital Townhall Events throughout campaign
  • Panelist at Digital Townhall Events
  • Featured article on ECAP website*
  • Name and logo prominently featured on ECAP website
  • Exclusive social media post
  • Social media mentions throughout campaign
  • Opportunity to provide small branded item for online giveaway*

*Subject to approval

Become a sponsor
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