Second Harvest ECI is a brand that provides support and education to help individuals break the cycle of generational poverty. They recognize that addressing poverty requires not only access to food but also a change in personal lifestyle and thinking, as well as improvements in governmental, educational, and corporate systems. Forward STEPS, their community learning initiative, offers several unique programs to achieve these goals.

Through The Community Food Experience and Poverty Simulation, individuals can gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by under-resourced neighbors. These trainings simulate the realities of living with limited resources and help participants grasp the depth and complexity of poverty. Additionally, Second Harvest offers educational courses like Getting Ahead, which empowers under-resourced families to analyze and break the cycle of poverty.

Graduates of the program receive ongoing support through Staying Ahead and the Ally Program. By participating in Forward STEPS, individuals can learn to navigate the dominant culture, change their mindset, and forge a path to success