Statement of Purpose

The purpose of the Ventura County Hospital and Institution Committee (a.k.a. VCAAHI) is to carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous to those alcoholics in hospitals, jails, prisons, treatment centers and recovery homes.

The VCAAH&I Committee operates in accordance with the Twelve Traditions and the Twelve Concepts of Alcoholics Anonymous. Panel meetings are held at the invitation of respective hospital and institution administrations. Although we are not affiliated with these institutions, we strive to maintain the spirit of cooperation in our service.

What We Do

The Ventura County A.A. Hospital and Institution Committee organizes the membership each month to carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous into correctional facilities, hospitals, and treatment facilities. It’s easy to become a member of H&I. We encourage you to come to the monthly H&I Committee Meeting, and attend our orientation workshop. There are many opportunities for service: panel leader, chairperson positions, as a panel participant and more. A minimum of (90) days of continuous sobriety is suggested for hospitals and treatment facilities. For correctional facilities, a year or more is required. Depending on the facility, a background check and/or clearance may be necessary. Come join Us!

Responsibility Statement:

I am responsible. When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of A.A. always to be there. And for that: I am responsible.

Man on the Bed

This full-color painting first appeared as a Grapevine center spread in the December 1955 issue. It proved so popular that four-color prints were made available separately. The artist, Robert M., was a volunteer illustrator for the Grapevine, and in 1956 he presented the painting to A.A. co-founder Bill W. In his thank you letter Bill wrote: “Your representation of ‘The Man on the Bed’ hangs in my studio at Bedford Hills….The whole heart and essence of A.A. can be seen just by looking at it.”

Quoted from the AA Grapevine Article, Vol. 58, No.1 / Spring 2012

Donations

If you would like to donate to the Ventura County A.A. Hospital and Institution Committee, please mail your check (including meeting information) to:

VCAAHI
79 Daily Drive, Box 122
Camarillo, CA  93010-5807

Or by Venmo @vcaahandi

Your contributions greatly help our Committee to continue to function and most importantly, to supply alcoholics within facilities; AA Big Books, Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions and other AA literature. Thank you for your generosity and your support!

History of H&I

Since its beginning in 1935, the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous has always cooperated with hospitals, treatment facilities and institutions. Bill W. himself was a product of a treatment facility – Towns Hospital in New York City. After he had finally put together several months of sobriety, Bill returned to Towns to try to work with other alcoholics. This was the beginning of A.A.’s Twelfth Step work in hospitals and institutions. After Dr. Bob sobered up, he and Bill W. visited suffering alcoholics at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron, Ohio. On Wednesday the 26th of June in 1935, Bob and Bill shared their experience, strength and hope with Bill D., who became A.A.’s third sober member. With the loving assistance and dedication of Sister Ignatia, Dr. Bob established a ward for alcoholics; together, they reached over 5,000 alcoholics. Our founders knew that; “nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics. It works when other activities fail. Carry this message to other alcoholics! You can help when no one else can. You can secure their confidence when others fail.”
(Big Book pg. 89)