SAFE stands for Supportive, Accepting, Friendly, and Empathetic. These Groups are designed to provide a healing environment for those navigating their Wellness Journeys. We choose to use the term Wellness as it supports our Holistic Approach to healing.

Wellness : the state of being in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal.

Although there are no limitations as to what is covered within a session, the two most common focuses of this Circle tend to be Mental Wellness and Substance abuse recovery. The format will vary depending on the needs of those in attendance, as we do our best to address what people are currently going through.New suitable tools are introduced on a regular basis in an attempt to serve the current challenges of our members. With backgrounds in Human Services and Substance Abuse Recovery, as well as performing, literary, and Media arts, Co-facilitators and New Now Foundation Cofounders Nino and Victoria Gabaldón, tend to incorporate as much arts and creativity as possible. “Know your limitations and know your strengths” – they said. A standard outline for a group will generally include an opening EMDR /bilateral stimulation, potentially a meditation or some creative writing, a reading and discussion on some words of hope, and a Q/A “Ask-it” Bag sharing portion. This is where Peers are encouraged to handwrite, email, or text questions in at any time, so they can be added to the bag, and used during groups.This technique is especially helpful for those who have difficulties talking in group settings. It gives them a way to contribute anonymously and still learn. They will participate when they feel safe. This, of course, is simply an outline of what a group might look like on any given day. There are more exceptions to the outline, than there will ever be in a rigid adherence to its structure. As far as conduct goes, agreements are made every time we meet, and a certain amount of routine is kept for safety and security, but this is not a group for individuals who do not wish to grow. Although no one will ever be forced to share, we welcome minds that are open to encouragement. Everyone in attendance is guided towards going beyond their current comfort zones. For some this might be writing down their thoughts, and for others this might entail sharing them. We honor ALL growth. Upon entering a SAFE Session, It would not be strange to see group members on their feet in an acting improv, or reading a monologue that they wrote, making some art, enjoying some Thai Chi, or playing with a Parakeet named Twizzle or a Chihuahua named Chuy. We keep SAFE – safe, and “Healing through the creative process” is at the HeART of everything that the New Now Foundation focuses on so fun should be expected. Please join us on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Wednesdays of every month at 4 pm at Bethlehem Lutheran in Kalispell for New Now Foundation’s SAFE groups. 603 S Main St, Kalispell, MT 59901 (Downstairs in the Hjortland Building) Also Available on the remaining Wednesdays (2nd and 4th) We invite you to attend our Peer Connections groups that we co-facilitate in Partnership with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).