Al-Anon
FAMILY GROUPS
Maryland &
District of Columbia
Area 24
Public Outreach
Our Mission
The mission of the Area 24 AFG Public Outreach Committee is to raise community consciousness of Al-Anon and Alateen’s purpose by participating in public Health Fair’s in the Maryland and DC area. This is done by displaying a booth or table with Conference Approved Literature (CAL), giving out directories and networking with other participants at events, answering questions by calling on our own experience, strength and hope. Public Outreach/Health Fair representatives can be at the booth full or part time, depending on the size and duration of the event.
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Any willing and active Al-Anon/Alateen member with an understanding of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions can participate in Public Outreach. We do this by participating in various Public Outreach activities, such as:
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Outreach to the public – eg: health fairs
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Outreach to professionals – eg: presentations
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Outreach through the media – eg: PSA’s and interviews
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Outreach to institutions – eg: intro meetings at treatment facilities or jails
Are YOU willing to:
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Help find Public Outreach opportunities.
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Deliver schedules and literature to public libraries.
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Place a poster in public places, schools, community centers, stores, courthouses, etc with permission.
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Donate 2 hours of your time giving out directories and other literature at an Al-Anon/Alateen health fair table.
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Leave literature in waiting rooms, hospitals, doctors’ offices.
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Become a speaker for introductory meetings at treatment centers/institutions.
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Suggest that your group “adopt” a doctor, school or other professional and send them a gift subscription to Al-Anon’s magazine, The Forum or Alateen Talks quarterly newsletter.
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Work with the Public Outreach Committee on research, developing mail lists, making phone calls and delivering literature and materials.
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If you are interested in helping contact the Area 24 Public Outreach Coordinator: publicoutreachareamddc@gmail.com. or click the helping hands!
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For Professionals
Al-Anon Family Groups, which includes Alateen, has been in existence for over 60 years as a community resource providing support to those affected by someone else’s drinking. Today, there are over 26,000 Al-Anon and Alateen groups meeting in 130 countries; with over 14,000 Al-Anon Family Groups meeting every week throughout the U.S. and Canada. Our meetings are anonymous and confidential. There are no dues or fees for membership.
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WSO has updated their profile content on LinkedIn to include articles and videos with relevant testimonials from professionals. They share about the effects of alcoholism on the families and friends of drinkers and how Al-Anon Family Groups help clients recover from the effects of alcoholism on the family. Find this information and more at:
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Press / Media
In the U.S. there are more than 18 million people with a drinking problem, and only 10 percent of them will ever get help. But every individual with a drinking problem disrupts the lives of at least four other people—the child who loses a parent due to a drunken driving accident, careers that are ruined, marriages and families that are destroyed by problem drinking. Of the estimated 72 million Americans affected by someone else’s drinking, most will not get help for themselves and many will never even realize that they could have benefited from some insight into the problems caused by another person’s drinking.
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Al-Anon Family Groups was the first of many mutual support groups to adapt AA’s Twelve Step Program. Al‑Anon is well-known, but still not widely understood. It avoids the limelight, focusing only on providing confidential help to people in need. Al‑Anon does not use celebrity spokespersons. The confidentiality and anonymity of all members is strictly protected. Go here for more background information (history) on the Al-Anon Family Groups
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Public Outreach
NEWS & Events!
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Campaign for 2019
Area 24 ran the ad below on MTA & MARC Trains serving Baltimore, Washington DC, Ocean City, and surrounding counties in September, during National Recovery Month!
This message could result in > 10 million views in one month!
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The Area 24 Public Outreach Committee has created an 8 x 11 poster for distribution. Make copies and hand out at your groups. Ask permission to hang on bulletin boards at doctor’s offices, libraries, hospital waiting rooms, schools, community centers, rec centers, etc!
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Download the Al-Anon Poster
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