AREA 16 CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES -BRIDGE THE GAP/CORRESPONDENCE -VOLUNTEER FORM

Bridge the Gap, P.O. Box 7325, Macon GA 31209

     The Bridge the Gap Committee of Area 16 Correctional Facilities Committee is made up of Alcoholics Anonymous members across the state that are dedicated to carrying the AA message to people who are seeking sobriety but are unable to participate at the community level. Specifically, Bridge the Gap provides a way for recovering alcoholics to make contacts with AA members in the area in which they will be living after their release.

     We believe that the most important time in an inmate’s recovery is the first 24 to 48 hours after his or her release.  Some of us who have been in this position can share that although we had participated in Alcoholics Anonymous while in a correctional facility, we didn’t attend meetings after our release. We were simply too nervous, frightened or jittery to walk into a strange AA meeting. Bridge the Gap hopes to help inmates cross this hurdle by giving them a “friendly ear” on the outside who will make them feel at home in their AA community.

     Neither Alcoholics Anonymous nor Bridge the Gap provides housing, food, clothing, job, money or other welfare or social services. We do, however, help to guide newcomers to find these things for themselves.

     We strongly believe that alcoholics in correctional facilities need never return if they learn to live sober lives. We believe that Bridge the Gap can play an important part in achieving this goal. We look forward to helping them enter the mainstream of AA and their communities.

Respectfully Yours,

Area 16 Correctional Facilities Committee   Email: correctional_facilities@aageorgia.org

HOW BRIDGE THE GAP WORKS

1.        Inmate AA member requests a Bridge the Gap application.

2.        The Inmate mails the application to Bridge the Gap.

3.        Mail is picked up at the P.O. Box by the Bridge the Gap coordinator.

4.        The BTG chairperson sorts the application and forwards it to the volunteer in the area the inmate to be released to.

5.        The volunteer is then responsible for contacting the inmate AA member.

It is suggested that you use a P.O. Box, or a work address for contact. The volunteer information is strictly confidential. It is never released to the inmate by anyone except the volunteer.

CORRESPONDENCE
Many inmates are simply looking for an A.A. on the outside that is willing to share their experience, strength and hope through correspondence. The volunteer is not obligated to participate in Bridge the Gap if he or she chooses to be a Correspondent only.     The same suggestions (P.O. Box, etc.) apply.

 

Area 16 Bridge the Gap                        P.O. Box 7325                     Macon, GA 31209

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

 

First and Last Name_____________________________________________(male or female)

 

Mailing address_____________________________________________________________

 

City, State_____________________________________ Zip Code_____________________

 

Telephone number (_______)_________________Email:_____________________________

 

Sobriety Date__________________________ District_______________________________
 
I Am Willing to Be a Bridge the Gap Volunteer____ I Am Willing to Be A Correspondent Only____
I Am Willing to Be of Service in Bridge the Gap or as a Correspondent________