reFOCUS
A network of referral and support for former members of closed, high demand groups, relationships or cults. See the reFOCUS web site: http://www.refocus.org
Referrals to:
Board of Directors:
*all Board Members are former members of closed, high demands groups, relationships or cults.
Referrals to:
- other former members of the same group
- other former members in your local area
- support groups
- appropriate professionals
- books, videos, and information on thought reform and recovery issues
- recovery workshops
- supportive organizations
- internet support
Board of Directors:
- Carol Giambalvo, National Coordinator/Secretary
- Rick Seelhoff, Vice Coordinator
- Mary Taylor, Treasurer
- Nancy Miquelon
- David Clark
- Maureen Griffo
- Vanessa N. Weber
*all Board Members are former members of closed, high demands groups, relationships or cults.
- Support Groups: reFOCUS does not have "official" support groups, nor do we endorse any of the following. The following are support groups that are currently meeting. The list at the end consists of support groups that are open not only to former members of cults, but to families of cult members.
California:
Sacramento Area:
Renewed Directions, P.O. Box 227, Loomis, CA 95650. Facilitator: John Morehead (916) 652-7804
Nebraska
Omaha: Victim of an abusive church? Bible based cult? Authoritarian group? Here in Omaha and the surrounding areas, like everywhere else, these groups still exist. There is help and hope and support! Our support group focuses on providing a safe place to recover and reflect on what happened to you or your family. We also look at building skills that help us as former members not fall back into other manipulative settings to be victimized again. You will know that there are others who have been through similar situations, you are not alone...there is power in that! On the first Friday of every month from 7pm to 9:30 pm we will be meeting to share, network, and learn together. If you have interest feel free to e-mail or call. We will try to respond quickly. Tricia and Jimmy Cartledge ~ 402-991-9289 triciacartledge@q.com
New Jersey/New York:
Meets monthly in Englewood, NJ. Facilitators: Bill & Lorna Goldberg. (201) 894-8515.
Meets bi-monthly at Seton Hall University. Facilitator: Tom Morris. (973) 763-2735
Midland Park: Meets bi-monthly in a church and has a Christian perspective. Facilitator: Elizabeth Davies (201) 445-5942. New: support group for parents with adult children in cults - 2nd Thursday of month at Hawthorne Gospel Church, 7:30 p.m.
Washington:
Seattle: John Goldhammer, (206) 306-0322
Canada:
Vancouver: Survivors of Mind Abuse, Facilitator: Gordon Neufeld (604) 734--3584
Melbourne, Australia:
A support group for former cult members and family members of those who are involved in cults offered by CARM (Cult Awareness Research Ministry). Meetings are once a month on the first Tuesday of every month at 8:00 p.m. Contact Troy Waller at 03-9699-1536Visit their web site for information about next scheduled meeting and location.
Helping Resources:
Colorado:
Religious Movement Resource Center, 629 S. Howes, Ft. Collins, CO 80521 (970) 490-2032
New York/New Jersey:
Cult Information Service, P.O. Box 867, Teaneck, NJ 07666 (201) 833-1212
There is a comprehensive list of helping resources on ICSA's web site http://www.icsahome.com
