I want to begin a service project for homeless sex addicts, but I need the advice, experience – if anybody has any – and, hopefully, participation of some of my fellow SLAA members.

 

Alcohol and drug addictions certain contribute to homelessness – but I have to think sex addiction is a contributing cause of homelessness for some people, too. But I’m thinking that it may be difficult for homeless sex addicts to get to 12-step meetings. Even where they can do this, they may be reluctant to go to meetings where they could be the lone homeless person in the room: the shame of sex addiction could be compounded by the shame of being homeless.

 

My sex addiction therapist is intrigued by the idea of establishing SLAA chapter meetings primarily for homeless sex addicts, but he strongly urged that I approach assistance organizations that work with, but don’t shelter, homeless individuals. The idea is that homeless sex addicts would be very uncomfortable, and feel very conspicuous, attending meetings at shelters where they stay. Also, shelter operators could have an issue with invasion of privacy and their authority.

 

He also said that having local SLAA members act as trusted servants at these meetings, at least on an interim basis, would not only be welcome but critical to their establishment. I’m starting to talk to people in my home chapter about this, but I also want to throw it open to people who see this e-mail and have an interest.

 

I’ve also approached the national SLAA organization to ask if this would be permissible, and they have told me it would okay to approach local institutions as an SLAA member seeking to create SLAA meetings at their sites. I’m waiting for the starter kit they’re mailing to me.

 

So, that’s it in a big nutshell. Does anybody have any suggestions or advice? Would anybody have an interest in being an occasional trusted servant if this gets off the ground?

 

I don’t know if this is biting off more than I can chew, or even what the extent of the need for this service is. But I want to find out – and, really, is there any challenge bigger than simply becoming sexually sober and being in recovery? If I can do that, is this idea really any more difficult to make reality?

 

Thank you for any counsel anybody can provide.

 

Ray P.

SLAA