Group wants to build children’s strength
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — A collaboration of multiple civic agencies is planning another “Growing a Resilient Aroostook” event to take place on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Campus Center at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
The Aroostook Community Collaborative (formerly Youth Vision Network) is hosting the daylong session, and Resiliency Maine’s Sue Mackey-Andrews will lead the event which includes a pre-screen showing of the hit documentary “Paper Tigers.”
“This is the second installment in a multiyear effort to combine the efforts of many agencies who are working toward the same goal of a better, stronger Aroostook for our children,” said April Flagg, ACC member and the coordinator for ACAP’s Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative program.
“Many of us repeatedly ask the question, how can we help Aroostook children be more resilient? This event is a compilation of months of work and planning done by ACC members who are focused on the Adverse Childhood Events (ACE) associated with children who grow up in poverty. As a group we have agreed that building resilience seems to be a good place to start,” Flagg said.
Adverse childhood events began to garner attention a few decades ago when research revealed that multiple traumas in a child’s life exposes him or her to major health risks later on. Although the study revealed some concerning statistics, it also highlighted the significant and positive impact that one caring adult can have on a young person. Resilience work is about helping children recognize their own power to bounce back from hard times, and to encourage adults to make those valuable connections in a child’s life.
Mackey-Andrews works with communities every day to help them build a more resilient Maine. “We all thrive and do better when we have people around us who care about us, who support us and who cheer us on when things get a little tough,” she said. “While we might like to see a world free of bumps, hurts and challenges – this isn’t reality and, in fact, managing through life’s experiences helps us to build resilience in ourselves and in others. Regardless of your profession or training, every one of us can support others in ‘growing’ their resilience.”
Registration for “Growing a Resilient Aroostook” is $35. Organizers will provide lunch and snacks. In addition to “Paper Tigers” the day’s activities include a community conversation, a review of Aroostook County data and a workshop that focuses on the language of resiliency.
Registration also includes $10 toward a spring 2017 event with Chris Trout, a leading expert on community resilience in Maine. For more information, or to register multiple attendees, please contact April Flagg at ACAP, aflagg@acap-me.org or call 554-4139. There is a Facebook event page with links for registration, “Growing a Resilient Aroostook.” Seating is limited so organizations should register early.
