The Gatehouse Adult Support Network (GASN)
The experience of childhood abuse can leave someone feeling very isolated and traumatized. As an adult, it takes tremendous strength and resiliency to reach out to end the isolation and pain. If you reach out to find that services are limited, or non-existent, then the isolation can quickly become profound. Unfortunately, many adults encounter this very situation. In response to this, we have developed The Gatehouse Adult Support Network aimed at minimizing the feeling of isolation through one to one mentoring or mentor facilitated group self-support.
We currently offer self-support groups for:
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Men and women who have survived childhood physical abuse
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Men and women who have survived childhood sexual abuse
Support Group Information:
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There is no charge to participants;
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The groups operate in 15-week cycles;
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2 cycles may be offered annually;
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Groups are co-facilitated by trained mentor facilitators;
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Supervision of The Gatehouse trained facilitators is provided by our Community and Volunteer Development Coordinator;
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Groups are held at The Gatehouse - a safe place where everyone has a voice
We may not all have our wings yet but we’re well on our way
Well, it’s been a long journey – not only these past 15 weeks we’ve spent together but our long histories that brought us here. Although I feel sad it’s come to an end I take with me a sense of accomplishment in my personal quest for happiness and inner peace. Like my sister said after week 1, I’ve noticed I feel more energized through participating in this group. I’ve spent my whole life feeling different, ashamed and dirty but here, it’s amazing how comfortable I am to feel accepted and understood. I’ve learned a lot about myself. I think we are a product of our experiences and, whether you were abused or not, our experiences make us who we are today. These feelings have been hard wired into our minds and our souls but it’s through discussions like these, in this group, that we can consciously change the way we think and feel about ourselves. This takes a lot of effort on our part but I’ve learned that we are worth it! We can’t change the past but we can give ourselves permission to choose which path to take going forward. “Worry about the things you can change”.
Together we discussed issues like anger, secrecy, forgiveness, sexuality, boundaries, addictions, intimacy, inner child and the journey to creating our sacred path. By being here I’ve opened myself up to dealing with my anger about my abuse and feeling misunderstood, and my issues with my mother.
I want to thank the Gatehouse (Art) and especially to each and every one of you for dedicating yourselves to this process and making this journey worth my while. I thank you for your openness in sharing your personal experiences, your honesty in providing candid feedback and your encouragement in knowing that things will get better. A big thanks to our facilitators for your excellent facilitation (including paper hand-out skills) and for helping to give us all a voice. Finally, I want to give a special thank you to my sister for always being there for me – and being my crutch when I needed you most. You are my rock. Also thank you for helping me grow wings to fly (because if I didn’t I’m sure you would have resorted to taping or painting some wings on my back). I am eternally thankful to have such a constant love and support in my life. You’ve always been an inspiration in showing me how I can believe and love myself, to celebrate my differences, and to cherish my freedom and my right to choose.
After today, if anyone of us falls into a slump, remember this journey and how we all share a special bond. I take with me cherished friendships and good memories. I’m hoping the journey doesn’t end here. Here is a small token of our memory of this group experience. A butterfly symbolizes a transformation. As you know, butterflies start out as a cocoon and, when ready, spread their beautiful wings to fly. We may not all have our wings yet but we’re well on our way and, when ready, we’ll be ready for the world to shine with our beautiful wings (mine will be purple, orange, red, yellow and blue). I can see it now. Remember life is worth living and WE are WORTH IT to take the time to focus on ourselves in order to heal!!! So be selfish and take care of yourselves.
Female participant of The Adult Support Network Program (2010)
For information about our Gatehouse Adult Support Network, please call 416.255.5900.
