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26 December 2001
CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY OFFERS FREE HELP TO A POST-SEPT
11 NATION; 1,100 BILLBOARDS GOING UP ACROSS THE UNITED STATES
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Today over 1,100 billboards start going up across the United States, offering free, practical help to a nation still troubled by the September 11 attacks and the dangers to loved ones fighting in Afghanistan. The billboards are funded entirely by parishioner donations from the Church of Scientology, with the largest single portion of the $1.1m campaign going to New York, where 1,000 billboards are appearing in the subway. The billboards are also going up in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Cincinnati, Chicago, Miami, Atlanta, Saint Louis, San Jose and Tampa.
The Church launched the program after surveys showed that the attacks of September 11 left many people confused and uncertain how to respond to a pervasive but non-specific threat to their safety and the safety of those close to them. Each billboard carries the message that “SOMETHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT” and gives a 1-800 number.
The billboards, which will remain up for at least a year, are the first step in a $1.8 million program that also includes newspaper and magazine information, all aimed at giving people simple tools to deal with the problems in their lives.
Callers will be directed to Church of Scientology Volunteer Ministers, who won high praise from firemen, police, medical personnel and city officials for their contribution to the rescue efforts in New York and Washington D.C. They are specifically trained to quickly and effectively deal with spiritual trauma, whether from grief, confusion or fear, as well as being trained in practical methods of help, including techniques to help people overcome drug addiction, illiteracy and a
proclivity to crime. In the Church, these methods are called “assists.”
“A Scientology Volunteer Minister has the know-how to help people in everyday situations such as dealing with an upset child, worried friends or the trauma of accidents,” said Rev. Heber Jentzsch, President of the Church of Scientology International. “Offering succor has traditionally been the province of religion. In the weeks since September 11, we have trained thousands of Volunteer Ministers, who are now out there providing practical help.” He cited a survey by the Pew Internet and American Life Project that showed that more and more Americans are seeking answers from religion, on and off the Internet, in the wake of September 11. “Many also want to help, but don’t know how,” he added.
Specially designed websites make it possible for those trained to network with other Volunteer Ministers, and thus respond rapidly to emergencies as well as to assist with regular ministerial duties in their local communities.
Program coordinator Luis Gonzalez stated that in addition to providing spiritual counseling, Volunteer Ministers have helped drug addicts free themselves of their addiction, taught young people how to read, and saved countless marriages. “We are showing people how they can be helped, and how they can help others. Anyone can learn these techniques, and so effectively help a friend in need,” said Mr. Gonzalez.
As reported by the New York Times, the Scientology ministers were retained at Ground Zero after other volunteer organizations had been asked to leave. The Chief of Department of the New York City Police Department, Joseph J. Esposito, wrote to the Church:
“The Volunteer Ministers worked with great energy and great compassion at ground zero, helping to ease the physical burdens, and mental strains, of the rescue workers. The organization, the caring, and the dedication of your Volunteer Ministers were exceptional, and very much appreciated, and will long be remembered by those who received
their help.” Similar praise has come from officials who worked with Volunteer Ministers in the wake of earthquakes, floods and other disaster scenarios in places as far apart as Western China, Korea, Mexico, Japan and Taiwan, whose president presented the Church with the “Good Citizens – Good Deeds” national award.
The Scientology Volunteer Minister program was developed in 1976 by L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion, to enable individuals from all walks of life to provide practical assistance to help people deal with problems they encounter in their lives.
(More information on the Volunteer Ministers program is available at www.volunteerministers.org or www.scientology.org. A sample image of a billboard is available by emailing us at mediarelationsdir@scientology.net. People seeking assistance from a Volunteer Minister may also call 1-800-HELP-4-YU).
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