From Devastation to Hope—The Power of the Al-Anon Program

Dear Al-Anon and Alateen Members,

As I have been reflecting on the coming year end, my thoughts naturally gravitated to the major events of 2024, particularly the hurricanes which have swept across the Southeastern United States. Seeing the images, as we can all now so easily do, I was devastated by the destruction these acts of nature wrought on families, property, and whole communities. And at the same time, I was comforted by the way that so many people—across all walks of life, religions, political beliefs, and levels of affluence—came together to help those who had lost everything, who felt devastated and scared by the circumstances over which they had no control, who felt alone and hopeless.

Thankfully, we also witnessed compassion and service expressed regardless of differences in demographics and economics—simple acts of kindness such as the local hotel owner who offered a room to a friend’s stepson stranded in Hurricane Helene or a retiree who drove cross country to rescue animals left behind in the panic.

This contrast between the devastation of an uncontrollable fact of nature and the kindness of those sharing a singleness of purpose to offer help reminded me of our Al-Anon Family Groups. I thought about our Suggested Welcome, read in hundreds of languages at the beginning of tens of thousands of Al-Anon meetings around the world: “… but in Al-Anon we discover that no situation is really hopeless…” Those who attend and serve our groups—the longtime member, the chairperson who leads the meeting, the member who sets up the chairs or the literature, and the Group Representative who holds group business meetings—these are the first responders in the face of another uncontrollable fact of nature: the family disease of alcoholism.

This year, our fellowship has struggled to balance how we express our welcome to those who are not typically well-represented in our rooms with the message that the Al-Anon program is available to anyone, and everyone, who struggles with the “problem of alcoholism in a relative or friend.” Thankfully, our spiritual principles assure me that as long as we continue to “practice these principles in all our affairs”—that we strive to acknowledge our differences while focusing on our similarities—hope remains that unity and understanding will ensure our common welfare comes first.

So, as we close 2024, I offer my thanks to every member who attends a meeting that welcomes the newcomer regardless of beliefs, race, age, or financial status. Each of you are demonstrating that “each Al-Anon Family Group has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics” and ensuring that “when anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help…the hand of Al-Anon and Alateen [will] always be there.”

Vali F., Executive Director

December 2024