The African Heritage Rites of Passage^TM Systems and the Rites of Discovery Academy matches effective specialists to youth to guide their motivations, enhance personal growth, and develop positive social interaction. This provides a stable group and peer based infrastructure that acts as a social family, complementing high expectations, goals oriented decision-making, communal responsibility, and lifetime aspirations that are reinforced in each participant and the group. The building blocks that form group cohesion, a positive group ethos, and a guiding goal for the process and its success are based on four (4) skills training areas: 1. Self-Esteem Enhancement; 2. Decision Making; 3. Personal Control; and 4. Interpersonal Communication. The Basic Stages Of The Rites Of Passage Process are Preparation, Separation, Transition, and Reincorporation.

Stage 1: Preparation –

The stage where the candidate learns what it is to be a member. The preparation stage starts with recognition of the end in mind.

Stage 2: Separation –

The stage when the candidate is tested. The candidate must demonstrate the ability to fulfill their responsibilities within the group and their particular stage of life.

Stage 3: Transition –

The stage to become a full member. It is the betwixt and between, the rituals, and the ceremonies, where the candidate enters as a non-member and exits as a full member.

Stage 4: Reincorporation –

The stage where the groups’ new full member is presented back to the community. The new full member will be accountable for his or her new responsibilities.