The Nonprofit FAQ

What about self-help groups
Ed Madara, [email protected], was quoted in the "Building Community" online discussion group on June 3, 1998:

Subject: community self-help groups

In building community and solving
neighborhood problems, one of the most neglected and unrecognized
segments of a local community are the variety of self-help support
groups that help people deal with a wide range of family, addiction,
disability, parenting, caregiver, bereavement, and other stressful life
problems. From Alateen (teens with an alcoholic family member) to
widowed persons groups, from arthritis clubs to Well Spouse (those
caring for a chronically ill partner), these community-based,
volunteer-run mutual help groups provide support, practical
information, and often needed advocacy efforts. Groups are also quite
specific: Parents of Murdered Children (unfortunately we have 3
chapters here in NJ), National Black Women's Health Network, Mad Dads,
etc.


National research finds 7% of the population is involved in a group.
Almost 50% meet in churches. Most operate out of "home offices."


So, in increasing the quality of community resources, please recognize
how people can find and form self-help support groups. One of the most
exciting and important capabilities of self-help support groups is that
ordinary people can develop such groups in their local communities when
none exist, and subsequently serve as an extraordinary resource to
others. They don't need a grant, an agency, or even a office - just the
idea and a few other people who share their experience and dream. What
significantly helps is simply knowing that there indeed is a national
organization or model group somewhere, that can provide them with
information so they don't have to re-invent the wheel. That is why we
update this information, provide it on a free web site, and print a
guide - so people can be empowered with the inspiration and knowledge
that comes from knowing that such groups are available for them to find
or to form.


These are emotional support groups. Over 800 are available at the web
site, with hotlinks to over 75% of them. "How to's" on starting groups,
and local self-help group clearinghouses are also provided there. If
you know of any national or model groups that you suggest we add,
please let us know.


Take care and hope,
- ed

American Self-Help Clearinghouse -- http://www.selfhelpgroups.org



  • "Who then can so softly bind up the wound of another as he who has felt the same wound himself." --Thomas Jefferson
  • "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever does." --Margaret Mead
  • "Through the propagation of belief in authoritative expertise, professionals cut through the social fabric of community and sow clienthood where citizenship once grew." --John McKnight in "John Deere and the Bereavement Counsellor"




Posted June 3, 1998; revised 7/22/01 --PB