The following PM was sent to me. I answered the PM, but would like to share its contents and the answers I sent.
i must admit that i am the slightest bit intrigued....i would like the information, but have to check with hubby as to whether or not i can confirm.....
correct me if i'm wrong, but i'm gathering that this is a kind of support group with 12-step-ish motives; as in helping people get out and stay out? ....i did go through therapy for several years to deal with my issues with the jws, family, and . . .
i would love to help by offering support to people who are going through a hard time adjusting to the no friends, no family situation that so many of us have been put in, as i know first hand about that...but i'm not completely sure about what this group is trying to accomplish, even after reading the threads...is it just support? or is it active 'try to get people out' stuff? because, quite frankly, despite what they did to me and people who's stories i have read, i have no desire to convert people to my way of thinking...
please let me know if i can be of assistance to you, corvin...i have cried over the sadness that these people have brought upon your family, and would love to help you, and any one else, as much as i can.
The ultimate goal of the group is to not only support and assist troubled and guilt-ridden x-JW's with their issues, help them unload baggage, but to create and evolve intervention strategies, bridge the gap between traditional counseling and the specific needs of a JW or X-JW. I am inviting counselors, teachers and therapists to attend and observe, to listen and see the real need to get involved and get the mental health industry educated about the thousands upon thousands of dejected souls out there suffering from a JW upbringing. We are evolving child abuse intervention strategies and want to educate CPS, the courts, attornies and teachers about the child abuse problem in the organization and make them aware and equipped to help children they run across in their respective professions.
I am preparing a mission statement and there is lots of work to be done. The support group is a first step in discovering the various needs of those who are effected. It is a way to reach out to those who do not know their is help and resources for them. We want to create even more resources.
I am not altogether comfortable with the 12-step format, but I am open to various approaches. We do not attempt to indoctrinate, or replace one set of religious beliefs for another, but encourage independent and critical thinking. We support anything and everything that might be empowering to an individual. The individual has to make the determination for him/herself. The group will lend support to that principle.
With the professionals attending, your stories will go along way to alert and educate them to the very real and disturbing issues we carry with us out of the org. I recently attended a family group counseling session where I had to tell a portion of my story to other parents who only had a tacit knowledge of JW's and their beliefs. They were astounded, angered, concerned and very surprised at the truth about the organization and the way they operate. Their hearts went out to my children, and even me. One 16 year-old boy in the group blurted out indignantly, "That bullshit sounds just like communism!" I believe all it will take to get help to thousands and bridge that gap is an effort to educate those who can help.
Yes, your help is much needed and welcome! Your contribution will reinforce and solidify the goals of JW recovery.
I hope I answered your questions to your satisfaction. Let me know what more you would like to know.
Corvin
