Abraham Low Self-Help Systems (ALSHS) is a non-profit organization formed from the merger of Recovery International and the Abraham Low Institute. ALSHS facilitates the estimated 600 worldwide Recovery International meetings and all projects formerly run by the Abraham Low Institute including the Power to Change program. The organization is named after Abraham Low, founder of the mental health self-help organization now known as Recovery International.
Recovery, Inc., often referred to simply as Recovery, was officially formed November 7, 1937, by neuropsychiatrist Abraham Low in Chicago, Illinois.[5] Low created the organization to facilitate peer support self-help groups for former mental patients and later allowed for participation of those who had not been hospitalized, but with a desire to improve their mental health.[6] During the organization's annual meeting in June 2007 it was announced that Recovery, Inc. would thereafter be known as Recovery International.[7] As of 2008 there were over 600 weekly Recovery International meetings held throughout North America, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Israel and India.[8]
The Abraham Low Institute was founded in 1989 to develop programs, in addition to Recovery, based on Low's self-help principles.[4][9] The Institute awarded grants to further scholarly research on Low's work, provided research resources for people interested in Low's methods, and developed the Power to Change program and The Relatives Project.[10]
On January 1, 2008 Recovery International merged with The Abraham Low Institute and provisionally renamed the new organization Recovery International / The Abraham Low Institute (RI/TALI).[8][11] Celinda Jungheim, a community volunteer from Los Angeles, was elected as president of the Board of Directors.[3] Abraham Low Self-Help Systems was incorporated on January 1, 2009, completing the merger of Recovery International and The Abraham Low Institute. Abraham Low Self-Help Systems is now the provider of Recovery International community, phone and online meetings and The Power to Change program, which was a program of The Abraham Low Institute.[1]
The Relatives ProjectEdit
The Relatives Project, found in 1993, provides support for family and friends of people who have mental and emotional problems.[12] The Relatives Project teaches coping skills and stress management through meetings similar to those held in Recovery International groups, but using literature written by Abraham Low specifically for the families of his patients. Relatives are taught to maintain empathy and unconditional positive regard for their ill relative, while reframing their domestic environment to provide an empowering atmosphere for all members. The Relatives Project groups are open to adults and teenagers, and allow professionals to observe but only to participate if it is in support of a family member's mental health.[13] Mental health becomes a shared goal for a family, and all family members share in responsibility to achieve it.[14]
Power to ChangeEdit
Power to Change is a cognitive-behavioral peer-to-peer program based on Low's self-help principles. Power to Change primarily teaches at-risk students and ex-prisoners principles of Low's Self-Help system in peer-to-peer groups.[4][15] Power to Change groups generally consist of 8-12 members, meeting weekly, who learn the principles of the Low Self-Help System by describing their personal experience of disturbing events and commenting on each other's experiences using a highly structured format.[4][9]
Specifically, Power to Change consists of five components:
a peer-to-peer process intended to provide a safe environment for members to disclose their experiences to a supportive group,
a meeting structure intended to keep discussion on topic,
a four-part format to help members frame their experiences as useful examples, and
group feedback utilizing a set of tools (principles of Abraham Low's therapeutic technique).[15]
The four-part example consists of an objective description an event; a report of the feelings, sensations, thoughts, and impulses experienced in the members mind and body; how the member used the Power to Change tools to manage the experience; and a self-endorsement to remind the member of the progress made and to reward their effort. The Power to Change groups use much of the language suggested in the Recovery International program, such as identifying "temper" and avoiding judgment of right and wrong.[15]
The W. K. Kellogg Foundation has provided grants for Power to Change since 2003. The most recent grant was awarded in November 2008, and will provide funding until November 2010.[2][10][16]
Chicago Public SchoolsEdit
In 2007 Urban Networks Associates (UNA) conducted an evaluation of Power to Change as it was implemented in seventeen secondary and middle schools in the Chicago Public School system. In each school 12-24 group sessions were held and facilitated by either staff from the Abraham Low Institute or by a local facilitator trained by the Abraham Low Institute. Participating students showed significant improvement in prosocial behavior as measured by pre-testing and post-testing of emotional intelligence, specifically increasing self-restraint and decreasing violent behaviors. Although statistically significant, the effect sizes of changes were low or medium.[17]
UNA's SEM evaluation of the Power to Change logic model, the required steps and conditions for the program to be effective, found it fit the data collected well. To improve the effectiveness of the program UNA recommended improving communication with and training of local facilitators, encouraging students to develop plans to apply program tools outside of the group, updating the literature used to make it more age appropriate for the young students, adding activities to encourage confidentiality of what was said in group meetings and developing more interactive activities to teach program concepts. UNA also suggested asking for a commitment from participating schools to guarantee facilities were always available and that students would not be prohibited from attending group sessions.[17]
^ abcdKuhn, Julie (2009-01-19). "Recovery International News". Recovery International. Archived from the original on 2009-02-04. Retrieved 2009-02-03.
^ ab"Kellog Foundation Grant to Local Nonprofit will improve Academic Performance for At-Risk Chicago Youth" (Press release). PRWEB. 2005-08-24. from the original on 2008-10-24.
^ ab"People". The Chronicle of Philanthropy. 20 (9). February 2008. ISSN 1040-676X. OCLC 18498690. Archived from the original on 2013-01-31.
^ abcdeCenterPoint Institute (2006-02-07). (PDF). Organization Profiles. W. K. Kellogg Foundation Financial and Organization Sustainability Workshop. Nashville, TN: CenterPoint Institute. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2009-02-03.
^. Recovery International, Ireland. 2008-07-15. Archived from the original on 2008-10-16. Retrieved 2009-02-04.
^ abWeller, Fred (March 2008). . The Lakewood Observer. 4 (7). Archived from the original on 2008-07-25.
^ abOffice of Extended Learning Opportunities: Chicago Public Schools (2007-07-27). (PDF). p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-25.
^ abAbraham Low Institute. . Archived from the original on 2008-10-11. Retrieved 2009-02-07.
^Megan, Graydon (2008-12-08). "Kathleen Garcia, 1955-2008: Worked to improve non-profits". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, IL. from the original on 2011-05-23.
^Abraham Low Institute. . Archived from the original on 2009-01-07. Retrieved 2009-02-07.
^Berning, Phyllis; Schmitt, Marilyn; Vansickle, Rose; Sachs, Shirley (1999–2000). "Recovery, Inc. and the Relatives Project: Underutilized Community Mental Health Resources". International Journal of Self Help and Self Care. 1 (1): 33–36. doi:10.2190/558A-JXJ2-XREH-0TA2.
^Murray, Peter (December 1996). "Recovery, Inc., as an adjunct to treatment in an era of managed care". Psychiatric Services. 47 (12): 1378–1381. doi:10.1176/ps.47.12.1378. PMID 9117478.
^ abcAbraham Low Institute. . Archived from the original on 2008-10-11. Retrieved 2009-02-07.
^. W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Archived from the original on 2011-07-28. Retrieved 2009-02-04.
^ abSánchez-Cesáreo, Marizaida; Adams, Monica; Crouch, Ronald; Groh, David (2008-06-11). Power To Change Program Evaluation Report 2007 (PDF) (Report). Chicago, IL: Urban Networks Associates. Retrieved 2009-02-07.
September 02, 2023
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Abraham Low Self Help Systems ALSHS is a non profit organization formed from the merger of Recovery International and the Abraham Low Institute ALSHS facilitates the estimated 600 worldwide Recovery International meetings and all projects formerly run by the Abraham Low Institute including the Power to Change program The organization is named after Abraham Low founder of the mental health self help organization now known as Recovery International Abraham Low Self Help SystemsTypeBoard onlyLocationChicago IllinoisKey peopleExecutive Director Nancy Carstedt 1 2 President Celinda Jungheim 1 3 SubsidiariesRecovery International Power to ChangeEndowment lt One million dollars 4 Employees lt 10 4 Contents 1 History 2 The Relatives Project 3 Power to Change 3 1 Chicago Public Schools 4 See also 5 ReferencesHistory EditSee also Recovery International Recovery Inc often referred to simply as Recovery was officially formed November 7 1937 by neuropsychiatrist Abraham Low in Chicago Illinois 5 Low created the organization to facilitate peer support self help groups for former mental patients and later allowed for participation of those who had not been hospitalized but with a desire to improve their mental health 6 During the organization s annual meeting in June 2007 it was announced that Recovery Inc would thereafter be known as Recovery International 7 As of 2008 there were over 600 weekly Recovery International meetings held throughout North America Ireland the United Kingdom Israel and India 8 The Abraham Low Institute was founded in 1989 to develop programs in addition to Recovery based on Low s self help principles 4 9 The Institute awarded grants to further scholarly research on Low s work provided research resources for people interested in Low s methods and developed the Power to Change program and The Relatives Project 10 On January 1 2008 Recovery International merged with The Abraham Low Institute and provisionally renamed the new organization Recovery International The Abraham Low Institute RI TALI 8 11 Celinda Jungheim a community volunteer from Los Angeles was elected as president of the Board of Directors 3 Abraham Low Self Help Systems was incorporated on January 1 2009 completing the merger of Recovery International and The Abraham Low Institute Abraham Low Self Help Systems is now the provider of Recovery International community phone and online meetings and The Power to Change program which was a program of The Abraham Low Institute 1 The Relatives Project EditThe Relatives Project found in 1993 provides support for family and friends of people who have mental and emotional problems 12 The Relatives Project teaches coping skills and stress management through meetings similar to those held in Recovery International groups but using literature written by Abraham Low specifically for the families of his patients Relatives are taught to maintain empathy and unconditional positive regard for their ill relative while reframing their domestic environment to provide an empowering atmosphere for all members The Relatives Project groups are open to adults and teenagers and allow professionals to observe but only to participate if it is in support of a family member s mental health 13 Mental health becomes a shared goal for a family and all family members share in responsibility to achieve it 14 Power to Change EditPower to Change is a cognitive behavioral peer to peer program based on Low s self help principles Power to Change primarily teaches at risk students and ex prisoners principles of Low s Self Help system in peer to peer groups 4 15 Power to Change groups generally consist of 8 12 members meeting weekly who learn the principles of the Low Self Help System by describing their personal experience of disturbing events and commenting on each other s experiences using a highly structured format 4 9 Specifically Power to Change consists of five components a peer to peer process intended to provide a safe environment for members to disclose their experiences to a supportive group a meeting structure intended to keep discussion on topic a four part format to help members frame their experiences as useful examples and group feedback utilizing a set of tools principles of Abraham Low s therapeutic technique 15 The four part example consists of an objective description an event a report of the feelings sensations thoughts and impulses experienced in the members mind and body how the member used the Power to Change tools to manage the experience and a self endorsement to remind the member of the progress made and to reward their effort The Power to Change groups use much of the language suggested in the Recovery International program such as identifying temper and avoiding judgment of right and wrong 15 The W K Kellogg Foundation has provided grants for Power to Change since 2003 The most recent grant was awarded in November 2008 and will provide funding until November 2010 2 10 16 Chicago Public Schools Edit In 2007 Urban Networks Associates UNA conducted an evaluation of Power to Change as it was implemented in seventeen secondary and middle schools in the Chicago Public School system In each school 12 24 group sessions were held and facilitated by either staff from the Abraham Low Institute or by a local facilitator trained by the Abraham Low Institute Participating students showed significant improvement in prosocial behavior as measured by pre testing and post testing of emotional intelligence specifically increasing self restraint and decreasing violent behaviors Although statistically significant the effect sizes of changes were low or medium 17 UNA s SEM evaluation of the Power to Change logic model the required steps and conditions for the program to be effective found it fit the data collected well To improve the effectiveness of the program UNA recommended improving communication with and training of local facilitators encouraging students to develop plans to apply program tools outside of the group updating the literature used to make it more age appropriate for the young students adding activities to encourage confidentiality of what was said in group meetings and developing more interactive activities to teach program concepts UNA also suggested asking for a commitment from participating schools to guarantee facilities were always available and that students would not be prohibited from attending group sessions 17 See also EditPsychiatric survivors movement Recovery International Self help groups for mental healthReferences Edit a b c d Kuhn Julie 2009 01 19 Recovery International News Recovery International Archived from the original on 2009 02 04 Retrieved 2009 02 03 a b Kellog Foundation Grant to Local Nonprofit will improve Academic Performance for At Risk Chicago Youth Press release PRWEB 2005 08 24 Archived from the original on 2008 10 24 a b People The Chronicle of Philanthropy 20 9 February 2008 ISSN 1040 676X OCLC 18498690 Archived from the original on 2013 01 31 a b c d e CenterPoint Institute 2006 02 07 Abraham Low Institute PDF Organization Profiles W K Kellogg Foundation Financial and Organization Sustainability Workshop Nashville TN CenterPoint Institute p 1 Archived from the original PDF on 2011 07 08 Retrieved 2009 02 03 History of Recovery International Recovery International Ireland 2008 07 15 Archived from the original on 2008 10 16 Retrieved 2009 02 04 Low Abraham 1984 Mental Health Through Will Training Willett Pub ISBN 978 0 915005 01 7 LCCN 57012246 OCLC 9878531 Annual Meeting Recovery Reporter 70 2 2007 2nd Quarter OCLC 22518904 a b Weller Fred March 2008 Recovery International Merges With The Abraham Low Institute The Lakewood Observer 4 7 Archived from the original on 2008 07 25 a b Office of Extended Learning Opportunities Chicago Public Schools 2007 07 27 Office of Extended Learning Opportunities A Guide to On Site After School Enrichment Providers in Chicago PDF p 6 Archived from the original PDF on 2011 07 25 a b Abraham Low Institute Institute Activities Archived from the original on 2008 10 11 Retrieved 2009 02 07 Megan Graydon 2008 12 08 Kathleen Garcia 1955 2008 Worked to improve non profits Chicago Tribune Chicago IL Archived from the original on 2011 05 23 Abraham Low Institute The Relatives Project Frequently Asked Questions Archived from the original on 2009 01 07 Retrieved 2009 02 07 Berning Phyllis Schmitt Marilyn Vansickle Rose Sachs Shirley 1999 2000 Recovery Inc and the Relatives Project Underutilized Community Mental Health Resources International Journal of Self Help and Self Care 1 1 33 36 doi 10 2190 558A JXJ2 XREH 0TA2 Murray Peter December 1996 Recovery Inc as an adjunct to treatment in an era of managed care Psychiatric Services 47 12 1378 1381 doi 10 1176 ps 47 12 1378 PMID 9117478 a b c Abraham Low Institute Power to Change Archived from the original on 2008 10 11 Retrieved 2009 02 07 W K Kellogg Foundation Grant Detail W K Kellogg Foundation Archived from the original on 2011 07 28 Retrieved 2009 02 04 a b Sanchez Cesareo Marizaida Adams Monica Crouch Ronald Groh David 2008 06 11 Power To Change Program Evaluation Report 2007 PDF Report Chicago IL Urban Networks Associates Retrieved 2009 02 07 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Abraham Low Self Help Systems amp oldid 1110003809, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
