423 NEXT - College Application

423 NEXT COMMUNITIES AGREEMENT I understand that every attempt will be made to guard my anonymity and confidentiality in this group, but that it cannot be absolutely guaranteed in a group setting. I realize that the group leader cannot control the actions of others in the group. I realize that confidentiality is sometimes broken accidentally and without malice. I understand that I may share my own personal experiences in group with others outside group. I also understand that disclosing the identity or any information about others in the group with those outside group is strictly prohibited and may result in termination from 423. I understand that the group leaders are morally and ethically obligated to discuss with me if they observe any of the following behaviors which may lead to the breaking of confidentiality and/or intervention: · I communicate anything that may be interpreted as a threat to self-inflict physical harm. · I communicate an intention to harm another person · I reveal any knowledge of ongoing sexual or physical abuse committed against me or others. · I exhibit an impaired mental state. · I reveal that I am aware of or considering an act of child abuse or child molestation. · I reveal that I am aware of or considering an abusive act toward an elderly person or persons with handicaps. The group leaders are committed to maintaining confidentiality. However, I have been advised that for my protection and the protection of potential victims, group leaders may need to break confidentiality if they have concerns about the above types of information and believe I may be in danger of hurting myself or others, or am aware of the threat of harm to others. In cases like these, reports may be made to the proper authorities – police, suicide units, services to children and families, as well as to potential victims. I further acknowledge that if I am under the supervision of adult or youth authorities, part of recovery may include the need to notify these authorities of my involvement in group. I understand that this is a Christ-centered group, which integrates recovery tools with the Bible and prayer, and that all members may not be of my particular church background. I realize that the Bible may be discussed more or less than I would like it to be. I realize that this is a support group, and not a therapy group. I understand that the group leader is qualified by “life experience,” and not by professional training as a therapist. The leader’s role in this group is to create a climate where healing may occur and to support my personal recovery work. I understand that all 423 NEXT Leaders are trained to never engage in grooming or manipulation behaviors and that I can report any suspicious leader behavior to 423 Communities Leadership. To report please email and text “423 next urgent leader situation” to info@423Communities.org and (903) 328-4356. 423 NEXT Leaders will remind participants of this component frequently throughout the duration of the group. 

TYPICAL 423 NEXT MEETING 423 groups are gender-specific and meet weekly throughout the year. Groups consist of a maximum of twelve men or women who are between ages 18-22 and have various backgrounds who share this one thing in common: All members of 423 members struggle with sexual addiction or the trauma caused by sexual sin. 423 NEXT Groups are run by 2 leaders who have their own story of addiction and recovery. They are vetted, interviewed, and trained on how to share their story and journey in a way that empowers vulnerability and trust while ensuring the goals of safety and recovery growth for the group remain intact. Meetings are never longer than two hours, and always begin and end in prayer. “423 NEXT Communities Guidelines” are read at every meeting. Meetings consist of a short, assigned lesson with the majority of the time spent in open discussion and personal sharing. Sharing insights from regular devotional prayer, Bible reading, and personal journaling (PB & J) is a regular part of 423 meetings. Members of 423 NEXT recovery groups are asked to check in, which involves sharing updates from their week about their progress with temptation and acting out (positive or negative) along with feelings and emotions experienced throughout the week. This process will be modeled by your leaders first. Every member of 423 NEXT will be given an opportunity to share their personal story of struggle with sexually addictive behaviors or trauma caused by sexual sin. Each individual is expected to fully and honestly disclose the nature of his/her sin, offenses, and shortcomings with regard to their check-ins. We understand this level of vulnerability and trust takes time, but this is the level that is hoped for in our groups. Your leaders will encourage such honesty with the utmost care and compassion. No one is allowed to cross-talk, offer advice, or preach at other members of the group. This is a subtle way of introducing shame and judgment. However, you are encouraged to identify with and support your peers in the group. 423 NEXT meetings offer a safe and grace-filled environment for members to confess their personal journey of recovery with others who will offer empathy, compassion, mercy, and strength. When members see each other in a public place outside a 423 meeting, they do not reveal another member’s connection to 423 Communities to those outside our recovery program. (It is appropriate and honest to say you know each other from a bible study group if that is comfortable with you). What is shared in a 423 group remains there. A member who intentionally breaks confidentiality by revealing personal information to people who are not part of the group may be asked to leave 423. When 423 NEXT members achieve and maintain considerable sexual sobriety, or find substantial healing from the trauma or chaos of sexual choices, and exhibits leadership skills, they may be invited to consider a leadership role in their 423 group.

423 COMMUNITY GUIDELINES (TO BE READ AT EVERY MEETING) CONFIDENTIALITY Nothing that is said or done in this group is ever discussed with people outside the group without the permission of those involved. VULNERABILITY We believe that vulnerability is a key component of personal growth and community building. We encourage all members to be open, honest, and vulnerable with one another in order to create a safe and supportive space for all. RESPECT We avoid cross-talk and give each person who shares our undivided attention. We are considerate of the need for all to share and we limit our own sharing time accordingly. We guard against offending one another. If someone offends us, or when uncomfortable with anything in this group, we try to resolve the tension directly, pulling in a leader if necessary. We attempt to stay on topic with the conversation. CONSISTENCY We agree to be here every week, on time, unless there is an urgent and unavoidable scheduling conflict or genuine emergency. We will call the group leader to explain in advance when we cannot attend or must be late. We are required to complete weekly homework and to participate in small group discussion time every week. (check box) I have fully read and understand the above information: * I have been given the opportunity to ask questions about each of the above forms and agree to their conditions. I am at least 18 years old and wish to join a 423 NEXT Group. I agree to receive regular correspondence from 423 Communities International by various forms of communication including, but not limited to, email and text messages.