A Letter From G.
"......I wanted you to know
that not only have you made a tremendously
positive
change in my life, but you may have saved my life. Before the
Friendship Network I was depressed and stayed in my room all day
.
Now I have been a member of
the Network for 3 years and am dating and going out socially for the first
time in 15 years.
Everyone has noticed the change
in my life and cannot believe the change for the good!
I am no longer depressed....."
G. is now married to someone
he met through the Friendship Network and continues his contact with the
Friendship Network. Best of all, he is happy and no longer lonely.
A Letter From L.
L- ".......You have helped
me to gain confidence over the past 1 ½ years. You have helped me
to gain more confidence through meeting others which in turn helped me
to take steps in my life I never thought I'd experience again.
......As of this Friday,....I
will move into my own apartment, after 3 ½ years with Mom &
Dad. I'm both nervous and excited about the move. I know it's another of
many steps back to the real me."
L is now married for close
to 3 years. She met her husband through the Friendship Network. They began
as friends and had fun together. The friendship grew and grew until they
decided they were ready to make their friendship permanent.
J.'s Story
J.'s social worker wrote...
"in
order to share my deep appreciation of your organization. I am a
psychotherapist in private practice, as well as the Clinical Director of
an out-patient mental health clinic. I have been working with 1
particular client for several years. He is a single man in his late 40's
who functions adequately at work but has been severely isolated all his
life. During the course of psychotherapy, he began showing an increased
capacity and interest in relationships but was not able to establish connections
with people on his own. He would respond to and place personal ads, but
rarely got beyond a second date. He had absolutely no social contacts outside
of work or his family."
After suggesting he contact
the Friendship Network, this man's life changed dramatically. He has friends
and participates in activities with his friends from the Network. He is
well liked by his friends, has greatly improved his self-esteem and is
no longer lonely as he has a long term girlfriend.
J.- "The Network is my lifeline.
I remember when I first became ill & before I knew of your wonderful
organization. I sat in my room without a single friend in the world.
I
never talked; I never went out. My life was bleak and empty.
I joined the Friendship Network,
but expected nothing.....I couldn't believe a silly social organization
could make a difference. I was wrong...."
Slowly, her life began to change.
She developed incentive and courage to begin talking to others. Her new
friends were just like her, with common problems, anxieties and fears which
gave her added motivation and strength. Words, ideas, and honest caring
helped her through first introductions to friends and activities.
"My life would not have changed
without the Friendship Network and I'm afraid my world might fall apart
without the central focus that you both provide.
......No one cares about the
importance of socialization for people with emotional problems. There are
workshops, groups and therapy for us, but none go the next step that provides
the experience for social skills.
I now have friends to talk
to on the phone, go places with, have lunch with, shop together and hang
with. I even have a pen pal. We cheer each other in success and comfort
each other when we are not so successful."
To
become a member or to request more information contact Alice or
Berna by e-mail:
