The MSCA 09 Treatment Facilities Committee (the “Committee”) is working on the Bridging the Gap Program (“BTG”) which connects the new member being discharged from a facility to A.A. in their community. We are asking for your help.
Area 9 Bridging the Gap website
Purpose: The Mid-Southern California Area 09 Treatment Facilities Committee coordinates the work of individual A.A. members and groups who are interested in carrying our message of recovery to alcoholics in hospital/treatment facilities, and to set up means of “Bridging the Gap” from treatment to A.A. in the individual’s community. The Treatment Facilities (henceforth T.F.) Committee also works to clarify what A.A. can and cannot do, within the Traditions, to help alcoholics in treatment.
Basic Functions of the MSCA09 T.F. Committee
1. Support A.A. meetings in facilities within the Area.
2. Encourage group participation.
3. Coordinate temporary contact programs (bridging the gap).
4. Arrange purchase and distribution of literature for these groups & meetings.
5. Arrange for informational presentations to the facilities’ staff for the purpose of explaining what A.A. is and is not.
Relationship With Treatment
1. Seeks to understand, respect, and adhere to all treatment facility regulations.
2. Makes information about A.A.’s function and purpose available.
3. Supports the formation of new A.A. meetings in treatment facilities.
— Taken from the A.A.® Guidelines on Treatment Committees from N.Y.
A.A. suggests that the Temporary Contact accompany the newcomer at a limited number and variety of meetings; make introductions to other A.A.’s; ensure that the newcomer has phone numbers; and, share the experience and benefits of sponsorship and a home group. This is basic 12th step work.
We always need volunteers and you can be of service in any capacity. Click the link below to visit the Area 9 BTG website to sign a newcomer up or sign up to be a volunteer.
Link: Area 9 Bridging the Gap Website
Resources for Meetings & Links: Click to visit the District Resources (https://area9btg.org/districts) section for the BTG District Kit which includes pertinent forms, guidelines, and related A.A. literature.
Our purpose is to extend a hand, in the spirit of our Twelve Steps of Recovery, to assist the newcomer to find the same help in staying sober that we ourselves found.