Engagement Groups en·gage·ment: noun \in-ˈgāj-mənt 1. An appointment or arrangement. 2. A pledge; an obligation or agreement. 3. The act of engaging or the state of being engaged. 4. A contract, promise. Engage: 1. To occupy the attention or efforts of (a person or persons): He engaged her in conversation. 2. To secure for aid, employment, use, etc.; hire: to engage a worker; to engage a room. 3. To attract and hold fast: The novel engaged her attention and interest. 4. To become involved: 5. To pledge one's word; assume an obligation: I was unwilling to engage on such terms. Synonyms absorb, engross, interest, involve.
Key Development has several engagement groups. By definition, they meet at arranged times. The members of the group become involved with one another, they make promises to one another. The main promises are to support, to show respect, to keep confidences and to be honest with each other. People talk about their lives, share what works for them and learn what worked for others, which may or may not work for them. Most important, everyone learns they are not alone or unique. There are others who have done the same things, thought the same thoughts, and fought the same battles. But there are success stories.
Groups provide positive peer support, help you know you are not alone because you meet people who are struggling with the same issues. As you get to know the group members you will feel secure in sharing your feelings and experiences openly. Groups help members learn to cope with other problems including relating to bosses, parents, spouses, siblings, children, and people in general, how to avoid certain triggers, and the importance of abstinence as a priority. Groups offer family‐like experiences, which teaches healthy ways of interacting with families.
Treat group time as special. Groups instill hope, a sense that “If he can make it, so can I.”