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Towards a fresh start... a cult recovery centre.

Ulf K. Maier

Patron Meritorious
I am earnestly intending to start a cult/trauma recovery retreat centre and I am looking for people who could be interested in contributing to the effort. I'd rather not give specifics in an open forum; however, all are welcome to PM me if interested in lending a hand, or becoming a participant in the programme. I have some locations in mind already. Can't divulge those here either, sorry.

(Hai, OSA!) :p

The model I have in mind for the programme itself is MeadowHaven.

From the website:
"MeadowHaven exists to provide a refuge for former members of high control, destructive groups to rest, heal, and grow. By understanding their experience in an abusive environment and acquiring the skills necessary for life outside the group, MeadowHaven helps former members recover their ability to be thriving contributors to society. Healing is fostered in the context of healthy community, relationships with other former members with similar experiences, and a supportive staff who understand the processes of thought reform, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), identity confusion, chronic emotional disturbance, etc."

So, who's with me?
 
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anonomog

Gold Meritorious Patron
Great idea Ulf. All the very best.

Sometimes just knowing there is a safety net gives enough comfort to start the change process.
But I do worry about the 2nd generation SO escapees, who'll need more than just the comfort of the knowledge there is a safety net.
Wog life skills, how to open a bank account etc.

Perhaps people in each country or state could compile a downloadable information doc with some of the basics, helpful contact numbers, church and social welfare programmes etc?
 

La La Lou Lou

Crusader
Ulf, it's a brilliant idea.

How would it be funded? It certainly wouldn't be cheap to run, and cult survivors are likely to be penniless.
 

Ulf K. Maier

Patron Meritorious
Urgently needed

(Also posted here... Admins/Mods, please do not delete!)

I'd like to offer to be at the terminus of the Railroad.

There is a nascent plan I am working on with others to establish a full-service cult recovery centre to start with, and develop into a network.

The basic model is the MeadowHaven facility.

Here's their programme:

The Program

The average resident stays at MeadowHaven from nine months to a year, depending on the nature of their recovery needs. The first month is a period of probation for both the new resident and the MeadowHaven staff. This is to ensure a "good fit" for all concerned. During the first weeks of the program, an Individual Recovery Program (IRP) is uniquely developed for the resident. The IRP is meant to focus treatment on the specific needs of the resident, and it covers a wide variety of needs - addressing the well-being of the whole person. Not relying on any one method of treatment, MeadowHaven seeks to introduce as many healing modalities into each resident's treatment program as possible. Example of IRP activities include:

* Resting
* Community Involvement
* Individual Counseling
* Support Groups
* Social Services
* Volunteer Work
* Workshops
* Informal Mentoring
* Part-Time Employment
* Regular Exercise

Formal treatment (e.g. individual counseling and support groups) constitutes about 20% of the program. The remaining 80% takes place in a therapeutic community, where residents work out in everyday life experiences what they are encountering through formal treatment. Over the course of formal and informal treatment, residents discover their true identity as they understand the forces that shaped their cult identity. They move from feeling devalued to being able to self-validate, and ultimately are able to articulate an answer to those who ask "why."

MeadowHaven's program consists of three phases. Each phase is designed to build upon the previous phase, starting with helping the resident feel safe and secure, moving into addressing trauma issues, and eventually ending with the resident being able to articulate to themselves and others their experience. The three phases are outlines below. For a graphical illustration of the three phases, click on this link or download the pdf.

I. Resting and Safety

It is very important when a resident first arrives that they feel safe and secure. Healing cannot occur until the former member begins to feel that he or she is in a safe place. This phase of treatment focuses on:

* Resting
* Testing (MBTI, TJTA, and Millon)
* Addressing Thought Reform Issues
* Addressing Self-Esteem Issues
* Developing an Individual Recovery Plan (IRP)
* Acknowledging Spiritual Confusion
* Support Groups

II. Remembering and Mourning

Upon leaving the cult, many former members experience an extreme sense of loss. It is also true that many were severely traumatized while in the destructive group. The healing process involves remembering the experience - events leading up to joining the group, experiences while in the group, and the experience of leaving the group. Maladaptive coping mechanisms, developed within a traumatic environment, need to be replaced with adaptive ones. In this phase of treatment, the focus is on:

* Cognitive Assessments and Exercises
* Building a Chronology of the Trauma; Connect Emotions
* Develop Appropriate Boundaries
* Understanding Cult Leaders and Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
* Addressing Spiritual Issues:
o Confusion
o The Cultic Belief System
* Support Groups

III. Reconnecting

Once the resident has gone through Phases I and II, Phase III helps the former member reconnect in preparation for their graduation from the program. The focus during this phase is to look forward and help the resident prepare for the re-entering of society. A Community Integration Plan (CIP) is developed for the resident that outlines specific goals for post-MeadowHaven life. In this phase of treatment, the focus is on:

* Looking to the Future:
o Education/Career
o Life Skills
o Social Supports and Relationships
o Kolbe A Index Assessment
* Increasing Spiritual Clarity
* Building Self Image
* Self Validation Abilities/Critical Issues:
o Answering Others
o Answering Self
* Developing a Community Integration Plan (CIP)
* Support Groups


The IRP
The Individual Recovery Program (IRP)

Each individual's experiences and needs are unique. Therefore, an Individual Recovery Program (IRP) is developed for each resident based upon their specific needs, psychological testing, personal history, age, physical health, etc. the IRP serves as the road map for each resident as they make their way through the phases of the treatment program. When an individual begins their stay at MeadowHaven, several weeks are taken for the resident to get acclimated to the facility and staff. During this time the staff, together with the resident, begin to develop the IRP. The IRP includes a number of interrelated "tracks", which, in their totality, greatly enhance the resident's ability to live independently, free from sociological, psychological and traumatic bonds that previously restricted them. The MeadowHaven IRP tracks are briefly described below.

Practical Needs Track

Often people who leave high control, destructive groups struggle deeply to integrate into a world that is alien and confusing to them. The Practical Needs Track affords residents the opportunity to pursue such things as a GED, higher education, learning how to set up a checking/bank account, establishing credit, health insurance, creating a resume, how to find employment, securing a driver's license, financial management, finding relatives, better parenting, decision making etc. Trained mentors and staff are available to assist the resident in developing an independent productive lifestyle. In some cases, basic education on physical needs may be necessary. This could include education on nutrition, personal care, sleeping routine, among other subjects.

Social Skills Track

Most totalitarian groups have interpersonal relationships based on an unspoken ranking determined by the member's compliance with the group or its leadership. When a member begins to think independently, or questions the group, their relationships deteriorate and collapse. Consequently, such basic concepts as trust and friendship suddenly become hollow, meaningless words. The Social Skills Track includes training in communication, conflict resolution, setting boundaries and interdependence.

Cognitive Skills Track

Intense thought reform environments are often difficult to understand and break away from. Good and bad experiences are usually mixed together in ways that are difficult to separate. Many former members simply jettison their whole experience as "evil." However, the residual effects of a destructive group experience can last for decades. Thus, the Cognitive Skills Track takes the approach of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and includes such things as individual counseling, workshops, support groups, videos, and reading material that help the resident better understand the destructive elements of the thought reform process, and validate their own experience.

Spiritual Dimension Track

Most high control, destructive groups have a spiritual component, particularly if it is a Bible-based or other religious group. Leaving a manipulative group with this component is not like leaving a club or other social group. Frequently, the belief system continues to dominate the individual's psyche long after they have left. Abusive practices do not exist in a vacuum. Practices always arise out of some belief system that fuels the abuse. For the resident who wants to pursue this dimension, qualified staff will help them develop the tools necessary to personally work through this critical component of their recovery. When appropriate, clergy from the resident's religious heritage (Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, etc.) will be called upon to assist in the person's spiritual understanding.

Trauma Recovery Track

Trauma impacts every aspect of life, and therefore trauma recovery undergirds the entire MeadowHaven program. Cults, by definition, are trauma producing environments. Severe trauma deeply impacts various brain systems leaving a very powerful imprint on memory: the more brutal, shocking, and horrendous the events the more indelible the memory. The neural basis for these memories appears to be a sweeping alteration in the chemistry, and neural networks of the brain.

While Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) findings are typically based on the impact of a single episode, similar results can come from cruelties inflicted over a period of years, as is the case of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse. These may be experienced in religious cults, domestic violence, and childhood abuse or neglect, etc.

The Trauma Recovery Track is geared toward helping the resident understand and cope with the effects of trauma, specifically the symptoms of chronic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

A Typical Day

At MeadowHaven, each resident's schedule is uniquely suited to their needs. Some residents desire a more structured environment, while others need a more flexible schedule. Although there are established "quiet hours," there is no rigid routine. Residents schedule their own time on a weekly basis, learning how to build in a proper balance between all of the different IRP tracks. This helps them to prepare to juggle and balance the many demands they will face when they set off on their own.

Depending on where the resident is in their treatment program, these are some of the activities that take place throughout a typical day:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner - Depending on whether the resident is working or volunteering outside of MeadowHaven, meals may be taken at MeadowHaven or elsewhere. Residents are responsible for their own meals, although there is a common pantry that is stocked regularly through generous volunteer donations and weekly shopping trips. Some residents choose to cook together and share meal preparation and clean up. If a resident needs help in meal planning and preparation, this may be an item in their IRP.

Counseling - Individual counseling sessions usually happen three times a week for an hour. Support groups usually happen every other week on a Saturday morning. All residents participate in the support groups but there are also many non-resident former cult members who travel to MeadowHaven for these Saturday groups.

Volunteering or Part-Time Work - Depending on their IRP, most residents are encouraged to pursue part-time employment or volunteer work. This interaction with others helps them to ease back into society and become comfortable with social interaction while still being able to process their experiences with the residents and MeadowHaven staff.

Reading and Journaling - There is much to process for MeadowHaven residents. Reading about various aspects of cult and trauma recovery, and then journaling, become a regular part of the routine for all residents.

Exercise - Regular exercise is critical to overall physical and mental health, so each resident is encouraged to maintain a regular exercise regimen.

Chores - Weekly chores such as dusting, vacuuming, and cleaning are divided between the residents.

Regular House Meetings - Residents meet as a group with the staff on a regular basis to discuss house issues. This is a forum for residents to bring up any regular concern, divide up household chores and share information with each other.

Appointments - MeadowHaven seeks to connect residents with various support systems outside the MeadowHaven program. As a result, residents will often need to attend appointments with a doctor, social service agency, outside therapist, etc.

Just Being... Much of the time at MeadowHaven is not scheduled with an activity. It is important, after the regimented routine of the cultic group, that residents learn how to simply be. Residents use this free time to nap, take walks, read, hang out with each other, go on bike rides, explore Boston or the Cape and just simply be.

Becoming a Resident
What Kinds of People Come to MeadowHaven?

MeadowHaven serves a broad range of people. The program is designed to be flexible to the individual resident's needs, and therefore there is no "standard" resident. Among our residents are people who...

* Were recruited into a cult during college
* Joined a cult as an adult and left after a number of months or years in the group
* Grew up in a cult and left as a young adult
* Have been out of their group for several years, but desire to more fully heal from the experience
* Were married in the cult and had to leave without their spouse
* Left the group with children and needed a safe and secure place
* Suffered domestic violence over an extended period of time
* Click to see Resident Testimonies

How Do I Get Into the Program?

Prospective residents are encouraged to contact MeadowHaven to speak about the suitability of the program for their needs before filling out an application. This gives them a chance to get a feel for the program and the staff before committing time and energy in formally applying. Once a decision is made to apply to the program, an application must be filled out and submitted. The application process gives the MeadowHaven staff a better idea of the specific needs of the applicant, and at the same time helps the applicant assess whether or not MeadowHaven is right for them. Once the application is received either via email or regular mail it will be reviewed by the staff and the applicant will then be called for a phone interview. MeadowHaven can only accommodate five residents on site at one time. Acceptance into the facility and program is contingent upon availability of space.

What is the Cost?

The approximate operating cost for each MeadowHaven resident is $3000.00 per month. This includes room, board, and all counseling and social services. MeadowHaven does not charge a fee, and no one is denied participation in the program on financial grounds. However, because being responsible for one's own healing process is therapeutic, it is expected that each resident will make a determined effort to offset the costs of his or her stay. This can be accomplished by helping to maintain the facility, acquiring donations from individual sources, contributing from part-time work during residency, or through scholarships, when available, etc."

A most beautiful and (necessarily) secluded location has been selected for the Mother Facility, which could potentially house, feed, clothe, treat and train more than ten persons at once. A second location in a different sector is being scouted out as I write this.

Specifically, we want to be an independent, non-sectarian, donation-based non-profit concern who minister to the needs of people who have left a controlling group, be it Scientology or others of that loathsome ilk.

One of our guiding principles is perhaps somewhat obvious, but most apropos:
“Give a man a fish, you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish, and you have fed him for a lifetime”—Author unknown

Our concept is to provide participants with:

* the most conducive environment possible for healing to occur.
* cutting-edge clinical treatment for cult-specific trauma(s)
* all the tools we can provide the ex-cult member to be able to effectively make her/his respective way back into society as a person who can provide for themselves, including home economics, computer training, skills to find and keep a job, etc.

I've posted another thread dedicated to this (actually, this one).

We need your help to make this happen. We know it will succeed.

Please join your hands to ours in this effort. I look forward to your responses.

Note to La La Lou Lou: In addition to donations, we have in mind to set up a trust fund, which will grow and develop into a self-sustaining entity. I wish I could elaborate more on a public forum...
 

Ulf K. Maier

Patron Meritorious

AnonyMary

Formerly Fooled - Finally Free
Great idea. Love that site. Found this Lifton Criteria there, which I have read before.

Authoritarian Groups
Dr. Robert J. Lifton’s 8 Criteria
for Thought Reform
1. Milieu Control. This involves the control of information and communication
both within the environment and, ultimately, within the individual, resulting in a significant degree of isolation from society at large.

2. Mystical Manipulation. There is manipulation of experiences that appear
spontaneous but in fact were planned and orchestrated by the group or its leaders in order to demonstrate divine authority or spiritual advancement or some special gift or talent that will then allow the leader to reinterpret events, scripture, and experiences as he or she wishes.

3. Demand for Purity. The world is viewed as black and white and the members are constantly exhorted to conform to the ideology of the group and strive for perfection. The induction of guilt and/or shame is a powerful control device used here.

4. Confession. Sins, as defined by the group, are to be confessed either to a personal monitor or publicly to the group. There is no confidentiality; members’ “sins,” “attitudes,” and “faults” are discussed and exploited by the leaders.

5. Sacred Science. The group’s doctrine or ideology is considered to be the ultimate Truth, beyond all questioning or dispute. Truth is not to be found outside the group. The leader, as the spokesperson for God or for all humanity, is likewise above criticism.

6. Loading the Language. The group interprets or uses words and phrases in new ways so that often the outside world does not understand. This jargon consists of thought-terminating clichés which serve to alter members’ thought processes to conform to the group’s way of thinking.

7. Doctrine over Person. Member’s personal experiences are subordinated to the sacred science and any contrary experiences must be denied or reinterpreted to fit the ideology of the group.

8. Dispensing of Existence. The group has the prerogative to decide who has the right to exist and who does not. This is usually not literal but means that those in the outside world are not saved, unenlightened, unconscious and they must be converted to the group’s ideology. If they do not join the group or are critical of the group, then they must be rejected by the members. Thus, the outside world loses all credibility. In conjunction, should any member leave the group, he or she must be rejected also. (Lifton, 1989)

http://www.meadowhaven.org/liftoncriteria.pdf
Posted it here as well on this excellent thread
http://www.forum.exscn.net/showthread.php?t=22425&page=27
 

R2-45

Silver Meritorious Patron
Ulf, this is very ambitious.

And a worthy project.

I wish you well with it.

I just thought I should say that I would never have felt I had the resources to use anything like this when I needed it the most.

:)
 

scooter

Gold Meritorious Patron
Ulf, I've been thinking for quite some time about getting something up like this - I'm so glad you're doing it.

My idea was a website that had this sort of info so that culties could access life-skill info like how to open a bank account or where to get a drivers licence etc..

As usual, life got in the way of the project but my original idea behind my "Marshall Plan" thread (http://www.forum.exscn.net/showthread.php?t=21419) was to lay the groundwork for this sort of project, but I wanted to do it anon as I do have a high profile as an "anti" shall we say. :D

Also (and I discussed this extensively in private with Mike Laws at the time - this was before the "Zinj Wars") my idea was for POSITIVE stories of recovering from cultdom as opposed to the negative side so often portrayed of the bad influences of a cult experience. I wanted those escaping to be able to see how good life could be once they'd found their feet in a "brand new world" and to have others' experiences of recovery to guide them if needs be.

I've been mentally revisiting my original ideas in the last few days so this OP was a pleasant surprise as it's what I've been after. If you need assistance and I can give it, I will.
 

sallydannce

Gold Meritorious Patron
The concept of a recovery retreat has been on my mind for a while now. It started for me sitting in a pile of misery wishing with all my heart there was somewhere I could go, be heard, be understood and gently be helped.

It is very personal for me. Hard to write about.

For some (perhaps many), post-traumatic stress disorder is a very real aspect of leaving a cult. I have met people from other highly controlling and destructive groups who have been through hell when they left. It impacts hard on their lives and they are left to silently try to find their way in a world which makes very little sense.

There is a lot to do to build a retreat. But I will be counted in helping doing so.

I'll say it out loud...I'd like to see a retreat set up in either NZ or Australia. If a strong model could be set up out this neck of the woods maybe it could be replicated in other parts of the world. Plant a seed, provide the sunlight, nurture...but without a seed nothing can grow.

I have about a million ideas running around in my head about a recovery retreat. They come from what I have learnt along the way. They come from talking with mainstream therapists and medical doctors. They come from doing a lot reading. They come from being part of a documentary about cults in late 2009 and talking with various people in that process. They come from my heart, from my desire to offer those who suffer a safe place to go, to rest, to be heard, to begin to heal. They come from not wanting others to suffer in silence.
 

Royal Prince Xenu

Trust the Psi Corps.

Ulf K. Maier

Patron Meritorious
Let's do it!

Ulf, I've been thinking for quite some time about getting something up like this - I'm so glad you're doing it.

My idea was a website that had this sort of info so that culties could access life-skill info like how to open a bank account or where to get a drivers licence etc..

As usual, life got in the way of the project but my original idea behind my "Marshall Plan" thread (http://www.forum.exscn.net/showthread.php?t=21419) was to lay the groundwork for this sort of project, but I wanted to do it anon as I do have a high profile as an "anti" shall we say. :D

Also (and I discussed this extensively in private with Mike Laws at the time - this was before the "Zinj Wars") my idea was for POSITIVE stories of recovering from cultdom as opposed to the negative side so often portrayed of the bad influences of a cult experience. I wanted those escaping to be able to see how good life could be once they'd found their feet in a "brand new world" and to have others' experiences of recovery to guide them if needs be.

I've been mentally revisiting my original ideas in the last few days so this OP was a pleasant surprise as it's what I've been after. If you need assistance and I can give it, I will.

Hello, Paul.

I should really say first of all, that your efforts were a primary inspiration for me in turning this from an idle fancy to a concrete effort. I ought to thank you for this, and look forward to doing so in person in the not-too-distant future. :)

I did read that thread, and posted in it as well. Yes, you're a little higher-profile now than before, I would agree... all for a great cause. I'll have to out myself eventually as well ("Ulf K." is my nom de guerre); but, I feel that this is inconsequential in light of what we are trying to accomplish. :coolwink:

I read Mike Laws' thread about a recovery programme for ex-SO members, and this was also a motivating factor for me in trying to get this off the ground. Thanks, Mike! I hope we can get together on this, at least on the putative level. Your input is most welcome in my corner. :thumbsup:

I agree it's most important to talk about what successes have been achieved an not concentrate on the failures. Attitude in approach is SO important, in landing a craft and in recovery equally.

I welcome your participation more than words can say. :happydance:

Let's do put our heads together... PM me any time.
 

Ulf K. Maier

Patron Meritorious
Thank you!

The concept of a recovery retreat has been on my mind for a while now. It started for me sitting in a pile of misery wishing with all my heart there was somewhere I could go, be heard, be understood and gently be helped.

It is very personal for me. Hard to write about.

For some (perhaps many), post-traumatic stress disorder is a very real aspect of leaving a cult. I have met people from other highly controlling and destructive groups who have been through hell when they left. It impacts hard on their lives and they are left to silently try to find their way in a world which makes very little sense.

There is a lot to do to build a retreat. But I will be counted in helping doing so.

I'll say it out loud...I'd like to see a retreat set up in either NZ or Australia. If a strong model could be set up out this neck of the woods maybe it could be replicated in other parts of the world. Plant a seed, provide the sunlight, nurture...but without a seed nothing can grow.

I have about a million ideas running around in my head about a recovery retreat. They come from what I have learnt along the way. They come from talking with mainstream therapists and medical doctors. They come from doing a lot reading. They come from being part of a documentary about cults in late 2009 and talking with various people in that process. They come from my heart, from my desire to offer those who suffer a safe place to go, to rest, to be heard, to begin to heal. They come from not wanting others to suffer in silence.

Really, thanks for saying all this. It really cuts to the heart of why this needs to be done, and why I want to do this. I lost a wife to the cult, and it hurt me no end that I was unable to extricate her from their grasp at the time. I lost track of her some years ago, though I do know she's out of the SO.

There's no question that cult-experience survivors have PTSD and this needs to be addressed. PTSD can make it very hard for the ex to get along out in the wider world. I'm no expert on it (only a fellow-sufferer), so I'll leave it at that, and better to the clinicians.

I welcome your help with open arms :bighug:

Well, I AM headed out to New Zealand in a few months :happydance: so, I think your idea of starting it in ANZO will definitely grow wings. (Making a note, OSA? LOL)

I'd most value your take on all this, not to mention that you're something of a celebrity around here... :coolwink:

Please do tell me more...
 

Ulf K. Maier

Patron Meritorious
Rolling a stone uphill ain't so hard, with many hands to the task...

Before I discovered anti-Scn sites I tried to start something like this myself and found funding to be the toughest hurdle. Part of the program needs to be "surviving in a real-world work place".

I'd agree that funding is a big one. I figure if enough of us talk enough about it to a big enough audience, eventually it will reach the ears of the right people. Real philanthropy knows no bounds.

I couldn't agree with you more. One of the linchpins of the practical side of the program needs to be "how to get and keep a job", which sounds quite like what you wrote :)

Would you like to give it another shot?
 

Royal Prince Xenu

Trust the Psi Corps.
I'd agree that funding is a big one. I figure if enough of us talk enough about it to a big enough audience, eventually it will reach the ears of the right people. Real philanthropy knows no bounds.

I couldn't agree with you more. One of the linchpins of the practical side of the program needs to be "how to get and keep a job", which sounds quite like what you wrote :)

Would you like to give it another shot?

I have to fix my health first!

My approach could prove a little scary to people. I would start with a large tract of rural land that would be fenced a la Sea Org. The fencing was because I was also considering drug detox with medical supervision. The whole thing would have been run as a Commune with a bus to and from town so that people could access employment and education. I did find a lovely spot of land that included an unregistered spring and would have been ideal to establish a self-sufficient community.

I imagined a grossly over-sized "manor" house embedded into the hillside with dance hall and theatre along with underground huts that would be capable of supporting 16 people each in private rooms (not triple bunks!).

I had also worked out all the security details so that counsellors would be protected if accused of indecent behavior.

There was never any intention that any person would reside in the "manor" as it would be reserved for group activities.

I calculated that up to 200 people could live comfortably on-site.

Without a 7 or 8-digit bank balance, it remains a dream.
 

Ulf K. Maier

Patron Meritorious
Right on.

I have to fix my health first!

My approach could prove a little scary to people. I would start with a large tract of rural land that would be fenced a la Sea Org. The fencing was because I was also considering drug detox with medical supervision. The whole thing would have been run as a Commune with a bus to and from town so that people could access employment and education. I did find a lovely spot of land that included an unregistered spring and would have been ideal to establish a self-sufficient community.

I imagined a grossly over-sized "manor" house embedded into the hillside with dance hall and theatre along with underground huts that would be capable of supporting 16 people each in private rooms (not triple bunks!).

I had also worked out all the security details so that counsellors would be protected if accused of indecent behavior.

There was never any intention that any person would reside in the "manor" as it would be reserved for group activities.

I calculated that up to 200 people could live comfortably on-site.

Without a 7 or 8-digit bank balance, it remains a dream.

I understand. Nothing wrong if someone needs the programme and isn't all about helping to set it up. I expect even some folks who have been out a while could benefit from some aspects of it.

It's a great idea, yours. I hadn't envisioned a drug detox. Would you elaborate on why you think this would be necessary?

The place I have in mind wouldn't need a fence. I could tell you why, but only in PM or other secure communication method. The idea is that it be self-contained, and eventually self-sufficient.

The facility I have in mind would not be as large as the one you've envisioned. I'm look looking at providing for 10-12 persons at a time, with a caretaker staff onsite. Professionals and other staff would commute from a short distance away.

You're right about the the amount that would be needed. I am confident we could easily obtain that from the right benefactor(s).
 
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