The first Men’s Support Group meeting on Feb. 2 was a great success.
Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre (CFEC) program director Lloyd Garner says six men turned out and he was pleased to see all of them actively participating.
“It went fantastic; we had a really great group.”
A “dynamic” discussion ensued and carried on until almost 9 p.m., an hour past the planned end time, he says, adding everyone seemed to get something out of the meeting.
Garner notes he is really excited at the response, as the support has long been an expressed need in the community.
“Sam Moody is a very intuitive, very insightful facilitator. He does a lot of preparation for these groups.”
The program director adds that despite the fact they had no confirmation of how many would attend, Moody intuitively set out six chairs for participants ahead of time, and then six men showed up.
“I know that mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually he’s ready for this group; he’s in tune.”
There was a real openness in the group with all the men willing to share their stories, Garner explains.
“It’s a pleasure for me to be involved in something like this. I feel privileged.”
Despite his extensive experience as a facilitator of support groups, Moody says he was rather surprised at the likeness in responses he got from the men.
“I’m beginning to believe that human beings respond to different things in similar ways.”
So many unresolved issues stem from early childhood and resurface from the subconscious mind, he adds.
There are three areas involved to realize success, he explains, including self-esteem, self-confidence and self-discipline.
“I think that with this group, they are willing to make changes, and that’s the key.”
He notes it takes courage to come to a meeting and make changes to one’s life.
The session went so well that Garner expects the men who attended will be
back, and noted every one of them was saying, “see you next week” as they went out the door.
“I am hoping they will also invite their friends and others they know of in the community because they all seemed to enjoy it.”
