B4U-ACT - Revision history

Etenne at 16:59, 8 March 2024

2024-03-08T16:59:55Z

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	[[Category:BL organizations]]		[[Category:BL organizations]]
	[[Category:Websites]]		[[Category:Websites]]
			[[Category:MAP Movement]]

Meco: wikilink secret

2015-12-14T19:49:16Z

wikilink secret

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:49, 14 December 2015
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	==Workshops (2003-2011)==		==Workshops (2003-2011)==
	During its seven-year stint as a state-funded organization, B4U-ACT facilitated six annual workshops, inviting mental health professionals and minor-attracted people to convene on neutral territory to discuss the biases, apprehensions, and other obstacles to achieving mutual understanding between the two groups. Nearly thirty minor-attracted people and sixty mental health practitioners participated over the course of seven years to address issues ranging from the difficulties of living in secret with attractions to minors, the shortcomings of forensics-based treatment programs, the public stigma surrounding minor-attraction, as well as the collegial stigma faced by clinicians who openly express sympathy for minor-attracted people. The vast majority of mental health professionals in attendance responded with an enlightened sense of compassion toward their minor-attracted counterparts, while many of the latter voiced how simultaneously liberating and terrifying it was to speak so frankly about their sexuality in mixed company, considering the lengths they routinely go to understate these aspects of their identities in everyday life.		During its seven-year stint as a state-funded organization, B4U-ACT facilitated six annual workshops, inviting mental health professionals and minor-attracted people to convene on neutral territory to discuss the biases, apprehensions, and other obstacles to achieving mutual understanding between the two groups. Nearly thirty minor-attracted people and sixty mental health practitioners participated over the course of seven years to address issues ranging from the difficulties of living in [[secret]] with attractions to minors, the shortcomings of forensics-based treatment programs, the public stigma surrounding minor-attraction, as well as the collegial stigma faced by clinicians who openly express sympathy for minor-attracted people. The vast majority of mental health professionals in attendance responded with an enlightened sense of compassion toward their minor-attracted counterparts, while many of the latter voiced how simultaneously liberating and terrifying it was to speak so frankly about their sexuality in mixed company, considering the lengths they routinely go to understate these aspects of their identities in everyday life.

	==Symposium (June 2010)==		==Symposium (June 2010)==
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	* On May 1, 2014, IDEAS w/ Paul Kennedy, a radio documentary program broadcast nationwide by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, premiered "Born This Way?," an hour-long query into the nature of pedophilia, featuring interviews with [[James Cantor]] of Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Paul Federoff of Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre's Sexual Behaviors Clinic, "Jesse White," a patient of Dr. Federoff's, and Paul Christiano, B4U-ACT's Administrative Assistant. To access the archived broadcast, visit http://www.cbc.ca/ideas/episodes/2014/05/01/born-that-way/.		* On May 1, 2014, IDEAS w/ Paul Kennedy, a radio documentary program broadcast nationwide by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, premiered "Born This Way?," an hour-long query into the nature of pedophilia, featuring interviews with [[James Cantor]] of Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Paul Federoff of Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre's Sexual Behaviors Clinic, "Jesse White," a patient of Dr. Federoff's, and Paul Christiano, B4U-ACT's Administrative Assistant. To access the archived broadcast, visit http://www.cbc.ca/ideas/episodes/2014/05/01/born-that-way/.

	On October 5, 2013, Co-Founder and Board Chair Russell Dick, LCSW, served as a panelist for a workshop sponsored by the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church, part of an all-day symposium focusing on social and political issues. Sharing the panel with a YWCA counselor as well as a member of B4U-ACT's own "Family & Friends of MAPs" online support group, Russell discussed society's punitive mindset, emphasizing how the negative effects of stigma frequently prevent MAPs from seeking mental health services in advance of crisis situations, drawing particular attention to the dearth of guidance and support for adolescents -- possibly within their own communities and congregations -- grappling in secret with emergent sexual attractions to younger children. 80-100% of attendees evaluated the panelists as "Excellent" or "Good" in addressing their objectives.		On October 5, 2013, Co-Founder and Board Chair Russell Dick, LCSW, served as a panelist for a workshop sponsored by the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church, part of an all-day symposium focusing on social and political issues. Sharing the panel with a YWCA counselor as well as a member of B4U-ACT's own "Family & Friends of MAPs" online support group, Russell discussed society's punitive mindset, emphasizing how the negative effects of stigma frequently prevent MAPs from seeking mental health services in advance of crisis situations, drawing particular attention to the dearth of guidance and support for adolescents -- possibly within their own communities and congregations -- grappling in [[secret]] with emergent sexual attractions to younger children. 80-100% of attendees evaluated the panelists as "Excellent" or "Good" in addressing their objectives.

	Continuing in our efforts to provide face-to-face opportunities for MAPs and mental health professionals (MHPs) to better understand each other, B4U-ACT provided a workshop at the National Association of Social Workers, Maryland Chapter’s Fall Clinical Conference on September 28, 2012. Two MAPs and two MHPs jointly presented a workshop entitled “Beyond Fear & Distrust: Dialogue About & With Mental Health Professionals and Minor-Attracted Persons” to 29 participants. Post-workshop evaluations indicated that on 5 different criteria, 86-93% of participants rated the session as “Excellent” or “Good.” Comments included: “Very beneficial workshop. Due to high level of discussion around topic, might want to make this an all-day workshop and/or keynote speech discussion.” “Excellent, thoughtful, heartfelt presentation.” “Glad NASW took the risk to present this! VERY worthwhile!”		Continuing in our efforts to provide face-to-face opportunities for MAPs and mental health professionals (MHPs) to better understand each other, B4U-ACT provided a workshop at the National Association of Social Workers, Maryland Chapter’s Fall Clinical Conference on September 28, 2012. Two MAPs and two MHPs jointly presented a workshop entitled “Beyond Fear & Distrust: Dialogue About & With Mental Health Professionals and Minor-Attracted Persons” to 29 participants. Post-workshop evaluations indicated that on 5 different criteria, 86-93% of participants rated the session as “Excellent” or “Good.” Comments included: “Very beneficial workshop. Due to high level of discussion around topic, might want to make this an all-day workshop and/or keynote speech discussion.” “Excellent, thoughtful, heartfelt presentation.” “Glad NASW took the risk to present this! VERY worthwhile!”

Lysander: name, etc.

2015-08-16T01:11:43Z

name, etc.

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	<br>		<br>

	==~~MISSION~~==		==Name==
			The YOU in Before You Act stands for psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, social workers, doctors, researchers, media, politicians, and everyone else just as much as it stands for Minor-Attracted Persons (MAPs). It essentially means, "Doctors: BEFORE YOU ACT and report pedophiles, please determine if you have what it takes to help these people."

			==Mission==
	'''B4U-ACT''', Inc. is a unique collaboration between mental health professionals and individuals who self-identify as sexually attracted to minors. The goal of B4U-ACT is to make effective, compassionate mental health services available to this population, while challenging negative cultural assumptions which frequently serve as barriers to treatment, thus increasing the likelihood of [[MAP\|minor-attracted people]] leading productive, meaningful lives.		'''B4U-ACT''', Inc. is a unique collaboration between mental health professionals and individuals who self-identify as sexually attracted to minors. The goal of B4U-ACT is to make effective, compassionate mental health services available to this population, while challenging negative cultural assumptions which frequently serve as barriers to treatment, thus increasing the likelihood of [[MAP\|minor-attracted people]] leading productive, meaningful lives.

	==~~WORKSHOPS~~ (2003-2011)==		==Workshops (2003-2011)==
	During its seven-year stint as a state-funded organization, B4U-ACT facilitated six annual workshops, inviting mental health professionals and minor-attracted people to convene on neutral territory to discuss the biases, apprehensions, and other obstacles to achieving mutual understanding between the two groups. Nearly thirty minor-attracted people and sixty mental health practitioners participated over the course of seven years to address issues ranging from the difficulties of living in secret with attractions to minors, the shortcomings of forensics-based treatment programs, the public stigma surrounding minor-attraction, as well as the collegial stigma faced by clinicians who openly express sympathy for minor-attracted people. The vast majority of mental health professionals in attendance responded with an enlightened sense of compassion toward their minor-attracted counterparts, while many of the latter voiced how simultaneously liberating and terrifying it was to speak so frankly about their sexuality in mixed company, considering the lengths they routinely go to understate these aspects of their identities in everyday life.		During its seven-year stint as a state-funded organization, B4U-ACT facilitated six annual workshops, inviting mental health professionals and minor-attracted people to convene on neutral territory to discuss the biases, apprehensions, and other obstacles to achieving mutual understanding between the two groups. Nearly thirty minor-attracted people and sixty mental health practitioners participated over the course of seven years to address issues ranging from the difficulties of living in secret with attractions to minors, the shortcomings of forensics-based treatment programs, the public stigma surrounding minor-attraction, as well as the collegial stigma faced by clinicians who openly express sympathy for minor-attracted people. The vast majority of mental health professionals in attendance responded with an enlightened sense of compassion toward their minor-attracted counterparts, while many of the latter voiced how simultaneously liberating and terrifying it was to speak so frankly about their sexuality in mixed company, considering the lengths they routinely go to understate these aspects of their identities in everyday life.

	==~~SYMPOSIUM~~ (~~JUNE~~ 2010)==		==Symposium (June 2010)==
	In June 2010, B4U-ACT organized a symposium to debate issues surrounding proposed revisions to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) entry on “Pedophilia,” recruiting researchers from Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical School, University of Illinois, University of		In June 2010, B4U-ACT organized a symposium to debate issues surrounding proposed revisions to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) entry on “Pedophilia,” recruiting researchers from Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical School, University of Illinois, University of
	Louisville, and London School of Economics and Political Science. The symposium marked B4U-ACT’s crowning effort in an ongoing crusade (which included attending the 163rd Annual American Psychiatric Association Convention in New Orleans, in addition to the daily circulation of fifteen appeals written by minor-attracted people amongst members of the [[DSM-5]] Subworkgroup on the Paraphilias for three straight months) to hold the American Psychiatric Association to its own standards of development for diagnostic criteria, specifically "Pedophilia" (i.e., drawing from a wide variety of studies and fields of science, as well as consulting stakeholders for input).		Louisville, and London School of Economics and Political Science. The symposium marked B4U-ACT’s crowning effort in an ongoing crusade (which included attending the 163rd Annual American Psychiatric Association Convention in New Orleans, in addition to the daily circulation of fifteen appeals written by minor-attracted people amongst members of the [[DSM-5]] Subworkgroup on the Paraphilias for three straight months) to hold the American Psychiatric Association to its own standards of development for diagnostic criteria, specifically "Pedophilia" (i.e., drawing from a wide variety of studies and fields of science, as well as consulting stakeholders for input).

	==~~RESEARCH INITIATIVES~~==		==Research initiatives==
	B4U-ACT’s present initiatives include serving as a research gateway to the non-forensic minor-attracted populace, a valuable resource to clinicians otherwise restricted to research subjects currently under the jurisdiction of the criminal justice system, many of whom boast aggressive offense histories (as opposed to the untold numbers of private citizens who responsibly manage such attractions) or face pressures to self-censor in order to conform to “deviancy control” protocol/sidestep indefinite civil detainment. B4U-ACT seeks to develop trustworthy relationships between law-abiding minor-attracted people (as well as those who’ve already served sentences) and researchers seeking to broaden study samples to include such persons, thereby securing results that more accurately reflect the general minor-attracted population.		B4U-ACT’s present initiatives include serving as a research gateway to the non-forensic minor-attracted populace, a valuable resource to clinicians otherwise restricted to research subjects currently under the jurisdiction of the criminal justice system, many of whom boast aggressive offense histories (as opposed to the untold numbers of private citizens who responsibly manage such attractions) or face pressures to self-censor in order to conform to “deviancy control” protocol/sidestep indefinite civil detainment. B4U-ACT seeks to develop trustworthy relationships between law-abiding minor-attracted people (as well as those who’ve already served sentences) and researchers seeking to broaden study samples to include such persons, thereby securing results that more accurately reflect the general minor-attracted population.

	==~~TESTIMONIALS~~/Q & A ~~SESSIONS~~==		==Testimonials/Q & A sessions==

	Minor-attracted representatives from B4U-ACT have conducted both web-based and in-person testimonials/Q & A sessions with Graduate classes in Clinical Psychology/Undergraduate classes in Human Sexuality at Northwestern University, Undergraduate classes in Human Sexuality at Howard University, Graduate classes in Human Sexuality at Widener University, and in conjunction with the National Association of Social Workers’ Maryland Chapter Conference. B4U-ACT considers face-to-face dialog a crucial component to dismantling Marvel Comics-grade representations of the “Insatiable Sex Monster” in the public psyche by enabling students, clinicians, and other inquiring parties to weigh such perceptions against the nuances and complexities of actual people, and so remains committed to availing itself to universities, social justice groups, and behavioral science institutions for this purpose.		Minor-attracted representatives from B4U-ACT have conducted both web-based and in-person testimonials/Q & A sessions with Graduate classes in Clinical Psychology/Undergraduate classes in Human Sexuality at Northwestern University, Undergraduate classes in Human Sexuality at Howard University, Graduate classes in Human Sexuality at Widener University, and in conjunction with the National Association of Social Workers’ Maryland Chapter Conference. B4U-ACT considers face-to-face dialog a crucial component to dismantling Marvel Comics-grade representations of the “Insatiable Sex Monster” in the public psyche by enabling students, clinicians, and other inquiring parties to weigh such perceptions against the nuances and complexities of actual people, and so remains committed to availing itself to universities, social justice groups, and behavioral science institutions for this purpose.

	==~~PEER SUPPORT~~==		==Peer support==
	B4U-ACT also provides moderated, online peer support for minor-attracted people and families/friends of minor-attracted people. Discussion topics may include living with the stigma of being attracted to minors or of being associated with people harboring such attractions, developing healthy, safe relationships, working with mental health professionals, living within the law, and other issues which may or may not be related to sexuality.		B4U-ACT also provides moderated, online peer support for minor-attracted people and families/friends of minor-attracted people. Discussion topics may include living with the stigma of being attracted to minors or of being associated with people harboring such attractions, developing healthy, safe relationships, working with mental health professionals, living within the law, and other issues which may or may not be related to sexuality.
	B4U-ACT is dedicated to responding to the psychological needs of minor-attracted people by cultivating a social climate in which such individuals can live without fear, shame, or isolation.		B4U-ACT is dedicated to responding to the psychological needs of minor-attracted people by cultivating a social climate in which such individuals can live without fear, shame, or isolation.


	==B4U-ACT ~~News Update~~ (~~Spring~~ 2014)==		==B4U-ACT news update (spring 2014)==

	{{Quotation\|		{{Quotation\|
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	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}
	==~~EXTERNAL LINKS~~==		==External links==
	*[http://www.b4uact.org/ B4U-ACT Homepage]		*[http://www.b4uact.org/ B4U-ACT Homepage]
	*[http://www.b4uact.org/?page_id=607 B4U-ACT Workshops]		*[http://www.b4uact.org/?page_id=607 B4U-ACT Workshops]

Run4est142 at 17:33, 26 June 2015

2015-06-26T17:33:47Z

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	Co-founded in [[2003]] by [[Michael Melsheimer]] (a minor-attracted volunteer for the online support network, [[LifeLine]], until shortly before his death in 2010) and social worker Russell Dick, B4U-ACT thrived as a state-funded, Maryland-based 501(c)(3) organization for seven years. While B4U-ACT currently maintains its non-profit status, Baltimore Mental Health Systems withdrew its annual funding in 2010 – shortly after Michael Melsheimer’s passing – due to economic cutbacks. As of July 2013, B4U-ACT subsists exclusively on supporter donations.		Co-founded in [[2003]] by [[Michael Melsheimer]] (a minor-attracted volunteer for the online support network, [[LifeLine]], until shortly before his death in 2010) and social worker Russell Dick, B4U-ACT thrived as a state-funded, Maryland-based 501(c)(3) organization for seven years. While B4U-ACT currently maintains its non-profit status, Behavioral Health System Baltimore (formerly, Baltimore Mental Health Systems) withdrew its annual funding in 2010 – shortly after Michael Melsheimer’s passing – due to economic cutbacks. As of July 2013, B4U-ACT subsists exclusively on supporter donations.
	[[Image:B4U-ACT Logo.png\|thumb\|400px\|right\|B4U-ACT logo]]		[[Image:B4U-ACT Logo.png\|thumb\|400px\|right\|B4U-ACT logo]]
	<br>		<br>

Run4est142: /* EXTERNAL LINKS */

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EXTERNAL LINKS

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:32, 26 June 2015
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	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}
	==EXTERNAL LINKS==		==EXTERNAL LINKS==
	*[http://www.b4uact.org B4U-ACT Homepage]		*[http://www.b4uact.org/ B4U-ACT Homepage]
	*[http://b4uact.org/~~workshops.htm~~ B4U-ACT Workshops]		*[http://www.b4uact.org/?page_id=607 B4U-ACT Workshops]
	*[http://b4uact.org/~~news/20110817.htm~~ B4U-ACT Symposium]		*[http://www.b4uact.org/?page_id=666 B4U-ACT Symposium]
	*[http://b4uact.org/~~researchethos.htm B4U-ACT~~ Research Ethos]		*[http://www.b4uact.org/?page_id=510 Research Ethos]
	*[http://b4uact.org/~~peersupport.htm~~ B4U-ACT MAP Support Group]		*[http://www.b4uact.org/?page_id=656 B4U-ACT MAP Support Group]
	*[http://b4uact.org/~~ffsupport.htm~~ B4U-ACT Friends/Family of MAPs Support Group]		*[http://www.b4uact.org/?page_id=821 B4U-ACT Friends/Family of MAPs Support Group]
	*[http://www.~~bmhsi~~.org/ Baltimore ~~Mental Health Systems Homepage~~]		*[http://www.bhsbaltimore.org/ Behavioral Health System Baltimore]
	*[http://strawmandances.webs.com/B4U-ACT%20Spring%202015%20Workshop%20Presentation%20(Paul%20Christiano).pdf "B4U-ACT Spring 2015 Workshop Presentation"]		*[http://strawmandances.webs.com/B4U-ACT%20Spring%202015%20Workshop%20Presentation%20(Paul%20Christiano).pdf "B4U-ACT Spring 2015 Workshop Presentation"]
	*[http://webzoom.freewebs.com/strawmandances/A%20Fly%20in%20Shrink%20Soup.pdf "A Fly In Shrink Soup: B4U-ACT Attends the 163rd Annual APA Convention"]		*[http://webzoom.freewebs.com/strawmandances/A%20Fly%20in%20Shrink%20Soup.pdf "A Fly In Shrink Soup: B4U-ACT Attends the 163rd Annual APA Convention"]

Etenne: /* EXTERNAL LINKS */

2015-06-26T03:14:39Z

EXTERNAL LINKS

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:14, 26 June 2015
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	*[http://b4uact.org/ffsupport.htm B4U-ACT Friends/Family of MAPs Support Group]		*[http://b4uact.org/ffsupport.htm B4U-ACT Friends/Family of MAPs Support Group]
	*[http://www.bmhsi.org/ Baltimore Mental Health Systems Homepage]		*[http://www.bmhsi.org/ Baltimore Mental Health Systems Homepage]
	*[http://strawmandances.webs.com/B4U-ACT%20Spring%202015%20Workshop%20Presentation%20(Paul%20Christiano).pdf "B4U-ACT Spring 2015 Workshop Presentation"		*[http://strawmandances.webs.com/B4U-ACT%20Spring%202015%20Workshop%20Presentation%20(Paul%20Christiano).pdf "B4U-ACT Spring 2015 Workshop Presentation"]
	*[http://webzoom.freewebs.com/strawmandances/A%20Fly%20in%20Shrink%20Soup.pdf "A Fly In Shrink Soup: B4U-ACT Attends the 163rd Annual APA Convention"]		*[http://webzoom.freewebs.com/strawmandances/A%20Fly%20in%20Shrink%20Soup.pdf "A Fly In Shrink Soup: B4U-ACT Attends the 163rd Annual APA Convention"]
	*[http://b4uact.org/ref/Kramer-20101030.pdf Letter to the Editor (Archives of Sexual Behavior): “APA Guidelines Ignored in Development of Diagnostic Criteria for Pedohebephilia”]		*[http://b4uact.org/ref/Kramer-20101030.pdf Letter to the Editor (Archives of Sexual Behavior): “APA Guidelines Ignored in Development of Diagnostic Criteria for Pedohebephilia”]

Run4est142: /* EXTERNAL LINKS */

2015-06-26T03:11:44Z

EXTERNAL LINKS

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:11, 26 June 2015
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	*[http://b4uact.org/ffsupport.htm B4U-ACT Friends/Family of MAPs Support Group]		*[http://b4uact.org/ffsupport.htm B4U-ACT Friends/Family of MAPs Support Group]
	*[http://www.bmhsi.org/ Baltimore Mental Health Systems Homepage]		*[http://www.bmhsi.org/ Baltimore Mental Health Systems Homepage]
			*[http://strawmandances.webs.com/B4U-ACT%20Spring%202015%20Workshop%20Presentation%20(Paul%20Christiano).pdf "B4U-ACT Spring 2015 Workshop Presentation"
	*[http://webzoom.freewebs.com/strawmandances/A%20Fly%20in%20Shrink%20Soup.pdf "A Fly In Shrink Soup: B4U-ACT Attends the 163rd Annual APA Convention"]		*[http://webzoom.freewebs.com/strawmandances/A%20Fly%20in%20Shrink%20Soup.pdf "A Fly In Shrink Soup: B4U-ACT Attends the 163rd Annual APA Convention"]
	*[http://b4uact.org/ref/Kramer-20101030.pdf Letter to the Editor (Archives of Sexual Behavior): “APA Guidelines Ignored in Development of Diagnostic Criteria for Pedohebephilia”]		*[http://b4uact.org/ref/Kramer-20101030.pdf Letter to the Editor (Archives of Sexual Behavior): “APA Guidelines Ignored in Development of Diagnostic Criteria for Pedohebephilia”]

Etenne at 10:52, 17 April 2015

2015-04-17T10:52:07Z

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	[[Category:Community]]		[[Category:Community]]
	[[Category:BL organizations]]		[[Category:BL organizations]]
			[[Category:Websites]]

Etenne at 20:47, 13 March 2015

2015-03-13T20:47:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:47, 13 March 2015
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	[[Category:Activism]]		[[Category:Activism]]
	[[Category:Community]]		[[Category:Community]]
			[[Category:BL organizations]]

Etenne at 21:34, 23 June 2014

2014-06-23T21:34:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:34, 23 June 2014
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			Co-founded in [[2003]] by [[Michael Melsheimer]] (a minor-attracted volunteer for the online support network, [[LifeLine]], until shortly before his death in 2010) and social worker Russell Dick, B4U-ACT thrived as a state-funded, Maryland-based 501(c)(3) organization for seven years. While B4U-ACT currently maintains its non-profit status, Baltimore Mental Health Systems withdrew its annual funding in 2010 – shortly after Michael Melsheimer’s passing – due to economic cutbacks. As of July 2013, B4U-ACT subsists exclusively on supporter donations.
	[[Image:B4U-ACT Logo.png\|thumb\|400px\|right\|B4U-ACT logo]]		[[Image:B4U-ACT Logo.png\|thumb\|400px\|right\|B4U-ACT logo]]
	<br>		<br>
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	==MISSION==		==MISSION==
	'''B4U-ACT''', Inc. is a unique collaboration between mental health professionals and individuals who self-identify as sexually attracted to minors. The goal of B4U-ACT is to make effective, compassionate mental health services available to this population, while challenging negative cultural assumptions which frequently serve as barriers to treatment, thus increasing the likelihood of [[MAP\|minor-attracted people]] leading productive, meaningful lives.		'''B4U-ACT''', Inc. is a unique collaboration between mental health professionals and individuals who self-identify as sexually attracted to minors. The goal of B4U-ACT is to make effective, compassionate mental health services available to this population, while challenging negative cultural assumptions which frequently serve as barriers to treatment, thus increasing the likelihood of [[MAP\|minor-attracted people]] leading productive, meaningful lives.
	~~==ORIGIN==~~
	Co-founded in [[2003]] by [[Michael Melsheimer]] (a minor-attracted volunteer for the online support network, [[LifeLine]], until shortly before his death in 2010) and social worker Russell Dick, B4U-ACT thrived as a state-funded, Maryland-based 501(c)(3) organization for seven years. While B4U-ACT currently maintains its non-profit status, Baltimore Mental Health Systems withdrew its annual funding in 2010 – shortly after Michael Melsheimer’s passing – due to economic cutbacks. As of July 2013, B4U-ACT subsists exclusively on supporter donations.

	==WORKSHOPS (2003-2011)==		==WORKSHOPS (2003-2011)==