beEmboldened
OUR MISSION
beEmboldened exists to provide support in the prevention of and healing from harmful religious experiences.
OUR VISION
The world of cults and religious abuse is messy. Good information and support can be hard to find, but this doesn't have to remain true. We are committed to offering you a trustworthy organization to serve as your hub for awareness, resources, training, and support. We want to be the place you know you can go for accurate information, helpful tools, and well-equipped support professionals throughout the world.
OUR VALUES
We value integrity
We value transparency
We value empathy
We value questions
We value perseverance
Who We Help.
Trauma
Supporting your healing process
I need help. I was involved with an abusive religious group. I got out, but I'm not okay. I feel stuck and I just want to be free. I want to be happy.
Exiting
Helping you navigate your next steps
I've realized that I'm in an abusive cult. Now that I know the truth, my environment is wearing on me. I can't stay in this forever, but I'm terrified. I might lose everything, including my family.
2022 Vision
Hurt from religious abuse is everywhere we look, and for many of us, we carry the pain inside, too. As the magnitude of this reality comes more into focus, so do the details. Whether an experience is harmful, or abusive, or fully cultic, each story has a face–a heart, a mind, and a soul–and each face has a name. This past year, we had the privilege of serving many of these individuals, but we've just gotten started. In 2022, the beEmboldened team has committed to widening our reach. We have bold goals for connecting with these individual faces. Helping them and preventing future names are why we exist, but we can't create big change alone. Thank YOU for being a vital part of this team. Together, we will change the landscape of religious abuse for generations to come.
1 Course
When a young adult exits their cult group, they are usually left with less than nothing. When you think of nothing, you likely think of no community, no support, no income, homeless...but these individuals have less than that. They have been so shut off from the outside world, so hidden away right in your own neighborhood, that they don't have basic knowledge of society and how the world works. Because of this extreme lack of equipping, they are at an increased risk for drug and alcohol abuse, overdose, labor and sex trafficking, longterm homelessness, and more. This reality is unacceptable. We need to help. In 2022, we have a big goal of releasing our first virtual training course, designed for this population. Most often, someone knows before she is excommunicated from her home and her group, which means she could have a level of preparedness before she leaves. This is where the bEmboldened team steps in. While our virtual course is only Phase 1 in our plan, it is an important first step in creating easily sharable resources for those in need. Together, we can change this narrative.
3 Grants
At the close of 2021, beEmboldened contracted with an excellent grant writer. With our big goals for outreach in 2022, we are aiming to secure our first 3 grant funded projects this year. These projects have the potential to have major impact in the lives of countless individuals, and we can hardly wait to get started. Please consider partnering with us–in prayer, as a volunteer, and as a financial supporter–to help us through the grant application process. We have seen the possibilities in a survivor's eyes as he takes steps toward freedom. Let's make freedom spread.
12 Groups
Engaging with a group allows us to impact more people. Meeting collectively is a great way to educate on a variety of topics, such as the red flags of spiritual harm, or tips for grieving losses when leaving a cult, or the truth of religious abuse in the United States and beyond. In 2022, we want to meet with 12 groups. We would love the opportunity to speak at your church, visit with your small group, or present at your upcoming conference. We also seek out doors that have been cracked open within abusive groups themselves, and will not hesitate to help from the inside whenever possible.
100 Individuals
We believe in the power of one-on-one conversations. Whether we're emailing back and forth, meeting virtually, or are able to sit down together in the same room, the opportunity to hear someone's story is always an honor. There is nothing quite like being present with one person, and supporting them based on their individualized needs. In 2022, we have a bold goal of engaging 100 people one-on-one through our mentoring services. From concern for a loved one, to a harmful experience in a mainstream church, to making a cult exit, we're here for you.
About
Living out freedom.
Equipping you to recognize the red flags of unhealthy leadership
I'm a parent. I don't want my child to have a similar experience to mine as he grows up. I know groups are recruiting on campuses and I'm scared. What if he doesn't listen to me and I lose him?
Assisting you in training others
I'm a church leader. I don't want my new Christians to be at risk for false teaching. I want my young adults to recognize abusive leadership in other places they may go. How do I properly equip them? I'm not an expert in religious abuse and cult abuse tactics.