Escapegoats Anonymous offers a groundbreaking online Christmas celebration for those estranged from their families, fostering healing and connection.
For many, Christmas is a time for family bonding, gift-giving, and festive cheer. Yet, for some, the holiday season serves as an emotional reminder of painful estrangements, toxic family dynamics, and unresolved trauma. For those who have been forced to walk away from unhealthy familial ties, this season can bring up feelings of isolation and loss. But Escapegoats Anonymous, a community designed to support those who have cut ties with harmful family members, is offering a fresh, empowering take on the holiday.
A New Kind of Christmas Celebration
Founded by Bella Devorah, a neuroscience coach and survivor of family scapegoating abuse, Escapegoats Anonymous is leading the charge in redefining what the holidays mean for those estranged from their families. This year, instead of a traditional Christmas gathering, the organization is hosting an online celebration called I Made My Family Disappear! This event, slated for Christmas Day, offers a much-needed escape and a joyful, safe space for survivors to come together, share laughter, and heal.
The event’s timing is crucial. For many individuals who have experienced family scapegoating, the holiday season exacerbates feelings of loss and grief. But Bella, who understands this struggle intimately, believes that healing begins with creating a new narrative, one where individuals celebrate their resilience, their strength, and their newfound freedom.
“I wanted to create a space where people don’t feel like they’re missing out on family, where they can instead celebrate the families they’ve built for themselves,” Bella shares. “The I Made My Family Disappear! Christmas event is about joy, community, and celebrating the power it takes to walk away from toxic relationships.”
Escapegoats Anonymous: More Than Just a Support Group
Escapegoats Anonymous is much more than a place to vent frustrations, it’s a sanctuary for individuals who have experienced emotional and psychological abuse. Similar to the structure of Alcoholics Anonymous, the organization provides a confidential environment where survivors can share their stories, learn from others, and rebuild their lives.
Bella’s personal story is at the heart of the organization’s mission. She, too, has walked away from a toxic family environment and understands firsthand the emotional toll it takes. Bella’s courage to cut ties with her family was a turning point in her life, leading her to reframe the survival skills she developed during those dark times into leadership qualities that now empower others.
“I learned that the resilience I developed in a toxic environment is what makes me capable of thriving in my personal and professional life. I wanted to show others that these traits, strength, critical thinking, resilience, are not weaknesses. They’re the foundation of leadership,” Bella explains.
The Christmas Event: A Playful Celebration with Meaningful Intent
Unlike most holiday gatherings, the I Made My Family Disappear! event is designed to bring a sense of levity, fun, and connection to those who feel isolated during the holidays. The online event will feature a series of festive games and activities, each designed to foster camaraderie and healing. Participants can look forward to quirky games like “Pin the Tail on the Flying Monkey,” “Blame Game Bingo,” and “No-Contact Confession Circle.”
The event, which will be held at 9 PM GMT (4 PM EST / 1 PM PST), is not just about entertainment. It’s about reclaiming the holiday season and acknowledging the strength it takes to walk away from harmful family relationships.
“Holiday gatherings can be incredibly difficult for those who have had to make the decision to go no-contact with their families. This event is a way for us to say, ‘You are not alone, and you deserve to celebrate,’” Bella adds.
Why This Event Matters: Empowerment Through Connection
For many, Christmas brings up painful memories of what they no longer have. But Escapegoats Anonymous is rewriting that narrative. Rather than dwelling on loss, the I Made My Family Disappear! celebration focuses on empowerment, healing, and the creation of a “found family.” It’s about showing participants that, despite the pain of estrangement, they are not defined by their past. Instead, they are defined by their courage, strength, and the community they’ve built.
In addition to the fun games, the event provides an opportunity for attendees to share their personal stories, reflect on their journeys, and connect with others who truly understand their experiences. Bella emphasizes that the skills people develop in toxic family environments, such as resilience and problem-solving, are what make survivors successful in all aspects of their lives. Through Escapegoats Anonymous, these skills are reframed into tools for personal growth and leadership.
“At Escapegoats Anonymous, we don’t just focus on surviving. We focus on thriving,” says Bella. “The survivors in our community are leaders in their own lives. They’ve overcome immense adversity, and now they’re using those survival skills to create positive change.”
What Sets Escapegoats Anonymous Apart: A Movement, Not Just a Support Group
Escapegoats Anonymous is not your average support group. It’s a movement, a place where survivors can go beyond their past trauma and develop a new, empowered version of themselves. The organization combines neuroscience coaching with peer support, helping members transform painful experiences into strength, purpose, and leadership.
Unlike many support groups that offer validation but little practical advice, Escapegoats Anonymous empowers individuals to move forward in their lives with confidence. The blend of neuroscience and community support provides participants with the tools they need to thrive, not just survive.
Additionally, Escapegoats Anonymous operates with a deep understanding of the societal stigma that often surrounds estrangement. For many, cutting ties with family is not a choice, it’s a survival strategy. The organization offers a nonjudgmental space where survivors can heal without feeling the pressure of societal expectations.
Join the Celebration: A Space for Healing and Connection
The I Made My Family Disappear! online Christmas celebration is more than just a festive event, it’s an invitation to be part of something greater: a community that understands your struggles and celebrates your resilience. Tickets are pay-what-you-can, with minimum price £1. All profits will be going to charities including both the British and American branches of Nacoa, the leading charity for survivors of parental alcohol abuse.
This Christmas, Escapegoats Anonymous is creating a space where people can come together, share in each other’s joy, and heal from the past. Whether you’re a long-time member or someone considering joining the community, the event is an opportunity to step into a safe space where you are seen, heard, and celebrated for who you truly are.
For more information or to RSVP, visit Escapegoats Anonymous or Eventbrite.
