Introduction
The Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous offers a program designed to assist new
members after their release from treatment and correctional facilities. This service is
commonly referred to as the “Bridging the Gap” or “Temporary Contact” program.
Simply put, a temporary contact is an A.A. member who works with clients/inmates after
they are discharged from treatment, hospitals, or correctional facilities. The temporary
contact helps the new member “Bridge the Gap” between the facility and Alcoholics
Anonymous in their community. This arrangement is meant to be temporary only. The
volunteer has agreed to accompany the new member to 3 or more meetings after their
release in order to acquaint them with A.A. members and meetings in the area where
they live.
Experience has shown that attending an A.A. meeting as soon as possible after release
is vital to making a sober transition to life on the outside. During this time the new
member will learn more about sponsors, home groups, working A.A.’s twelve steps, and
doing service work. The temporary contact volunteer is available to answer questions
and explain the A.A. program of recovery. They do not provide housing, food, clothing,
jobs, money, or other such services. We are not an Uber service.
The new member will most likely hear five basic suggestions for sobriety that the
Fellowship shares with all its members:
Don’t drink
Go to meetings
Work the steps
Call your sponsor
Read the “Big Book,” Alcoholics Anonymous
Basic Program Procedures:
A confined member is eligible for this program when they are within three-six months of
being released. They fill out a form giving their name, age, gender, and release date
along with a phone number and address where released if possible; a general location if
not.
A Bridging the Gap coordinator will match them with a suitable temporary contact, taking
into consideration age, sex, and destination. After selection, the temporary contact will
confirm the request with the new member. The new member and the temporary contact
will then make arrangements to meet after the release date at their new place of
residence and attend their first A.A. meeting together. We do not pick up from the
institution.
Manning the Bed:
If you are currently in the hospital or know someone who is in the hospital suffering from
alcoholism and would like a visit from someone, we would gladly arrange this as well.
Experience shows the person should be open to this and not pushed into it. Approval
from the hospital is also required. Please contact the phone/Email listed below for more
information and immediate help.
For more information about the Bridging the Gap program in your community,
please see the following literature and contact info:
Bridging the Gap Pamphlet (Leaving District 7 Site)
A.A. in Treatment Settings Pamphlet (Leaving District 7 Site)
A.A. Temporary Contact/Bridging the Gap Volunteer Pamphlet (Leaving District 7 Site)
A.A. Temporary Contact/Bridging the Gap Request (Leaving District 7 Site)
Hope: Alcoholics Anonymous PSA (Leaving District 7 Site)
Fort Myers and Surrounding areas (SWFL) If you are willing to help an Alcoholic
who is being released from a treatment, hospital, or correctional center be
connected to the Rooms of A.A., CLICK HERE to fill out your information.
Volunteers are required to have one year of sobriety, worked the steps, and a
sponsor.
If you are in a treatment, hospital, or corrections center and are about to be
released in SWFL and need help connecting with the Rooms of A.A., please
CLICK HERE to fill out your information.
BTG Chair @ 941-499-7483
Email bridgingthegap@district7area15aa.org