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In Reply to: Re: here you are posted by Joseph on July 27, 2002 at 16:05:28:
I don't know more than what I read from both sides of the coin about "Laurelhome", but FROM what I've read, I would think the qualifying question would be to define "help". What kind of "help" does Barney give to the SGAs? Maybe some of his help-ees could post here and answer that? I think it is quality and not quantity that help. IMO, I wish that exers could maybe get together, find some sponsors or something that could set up a halfway home for SGA's where they could go and learn to develop their own personalities and get therapeutic help to do so. Part of that recovery process would be to have no pressures on them to conform to any pre-set doctrinal "guidance", solely to develop their own personality to begin with, and to get support on becoming independent after years of family institutionalization. It takes awhile to unload and then get a sense of individuality after something so all-encompassing. And it is scary at first to take steps towards your own independence.
There are halfway houses in Houston, for example, that help women for up to 18 months. (More depending on age at other places). They teach basic living skills while people go to groups, work in a thrift shop (which partially funds the place) and do chores to clean the facility. There are no rental charges. for the first 90 days, no working is allowed (with exceptions if someone is functioning at a higher level, and can do with less group, class time.) Classes are for i.e. Computer Skills, resume writing, budgeting. Yoga classes are optional and used for physical exercise and stress release. Most workers at the particular facility I speak of are Christian, but they do not foist their beliefs upon the women. Those who choose to can attend weekend religious services. Or go and explore outside services of their choice. Or none, if that is what feels safest.
