Mission Statement
Our purpose is to build community and friendship through sharing our life concerns with other men. We are an affiliation of small groups of men dedicated to the concept of self-help with the leadership function shared by all. Each group meets weekly on a rotational basis at each member's homes. Members live within an easy drive of the Oakland/Berkeley, CA, hub. Each member is encouraged to develop his facilitation and active-listening skills, and be willing to give and receive feedback. While participation can complement individual therapy, these are support groups, not therapy substitutes. All members are expected to give group a high priority. Our groups provide a place where you can
How are groups formed? 1. Ads are placed in the local newspapers and in other community
media. Men respond by calling our intake line and leaving a message. A
trained volunteer screener returns calls. Screeners assess suitability
of each prospect for participation in a group. We encourage diversity
in membership. 2. We attempt to meet each prospective member's needs
through the group. If this is not appropriate, a referral is made to a
professional psychotherapist or another community resource. These are
peer support groups and not therapy groups. All men are expected to
balance giving and receiving feedback. 3. When approximately eight men have been identified as having compatible needs, an EBMN volunteer facilitates the initial meeting or refers the prospect to an existing group. 4. Issues such as commitment, trust, confidentiality and attendance are explored at the first meeting.The group quickly becomes independent. Screeners provide ongoing support, guidance and referrals for existing groups. We depend on a nominal fee ($15 every six months) for administrative costs, phone expenses, mailings, ads and community events. EBMN http://www.ebmn.org 510 473 6367 (510-473-MENS) ebmensnetwork@gmail.com We are a part of larger men's networks at http://www.themenscenter.com
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