Is a Divorce Support Group Right for You?
There are boot camps for getting back into physical shape. Why not a camp for people going through divorce and trying to reshape their lives? Thanks to Minnesota’s Jennifer Morris now there is just such a place. Morris created “Daisy Camp” twelve years ago after going through her own difficult divorce and realizing the need for a one-stop resource for support.
“I discovered that during my divorce there are so many decisions to make, at a time you are least emotionally equipped to make the most important decisions of your life,” Morris writes on her site DaisyCamp.org. “I was determined to help other women navigating divorce, so I created Daisy Camp. “D” is for divorce. “D” is for Daisy. Like a daisy, a divorce can signal a fresh start.”
Since 2006, Morris’ vision for Daisy Camp blossomed. Today, Daisy Camp is comprised of a team of legal and financial specialists, psychologists, realtors, and life coaches. These professionals joined together to break down the complexities of the divorce process, to give advice and solutions, and to offer encouragement and support as you transition into a new stage of life. The objective is to instill confidence through knowledge and provide the answers women need most. Although Daisy Camp primarily serves women in the Twin Cities and greater suburban area, women from around the country are welcome to participate.
For those who don’t live in Minneapolis/St. Paul or have the inclination to travel there, divorce resources may be closer than you think. Many communities (including Birmingham, Ala.) have Divorce Care support groups specifically for people who are going through a divorce or who have recently divorced.
Another Birmingham resource is a peer ministry called Beginning Experience (BE) for separated, divorced & widowed persons. BE includes weekend retreats and weekly support groups at Our Lady of Sorrows Church. (For information, call 205-969-8509.)
Although not specifically for divorced or divorcing people, Al-Anon provides community support for people struggling with family members who suffer from alcoholism. Meetings are held daily at a variety of locations across Birmingham (and in almost every city in the U.S.)
Before you join any group, ask about costs or fees. Many groups are sponsored by churches as a community outreach. Groups, such as Divorce Care and Al-Anon are hosted by area churches but are non-denominational. If there is a requirement for membership, determine whether that makes sense for you before you attend a meeting.
Support groups should be confidential and should be led by a qualified moderator and/or have a set of guiding principles to provide a safe place for sharing. If a group provides several meeting locations, you might feel more comfortable sharing in a group outside your immediate community.
Remember, it might be necessary to try more than one group (or attend more than one meeting) before you find one that’s right for you. Although you must determine the best approach for you and your circumstances, joining a divorce support group may provide you with a source of support beyond your immediate family and friends to help you begin a new life.
Disclaimer: The support groups mentioned in this blog are not endorsed by Nolan Byers, P.C.