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This page was last updated on February 13, 2007
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
*be safe to share feelings and viewpoints
*lessen isolation
*build friendships
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
137 Thousand Oaks
Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 568-8669
stanfeld@pacbell.net
We are a part of larger men's networks at
http://www.themenscenter.com
http://www.menstuff.org./frameindex.html