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vernonia prevention coalition
december11
2012
The content on this page is provided by the Vernonia Prevention Coalition
Be a Piece of the Puzzle
Overcoming Challenges Through Partnerships
By DeAnna Pearl
What does it take to build resiliency in
children? What is resiliency? According
to Nan Anderson, MSW and President of Resiliency in
Action, it is the ability to overcome challenges of all
kinds–trauma, tragedy, personal crises, plain old life
problems–and bounce back stronger, wiser, and more
personally powerful.
It’s important because this is what we need to
do when faced with life’s inevitable difficulties. AND
it’s important because there is a growing body of social
science research that explains how you can bounce
back, even from a lifetime of “risk factors” or very
painful trauma or tragedy, and how you can help those
you care about bounce back.
This is the most useful under-publicized
research information everybody should know. There
are steps you can take today and every day to make it
more likely that you will bounce back from any problem
or challenge, “stronger, smarter and with more self-
esteem…” and more likely your family and others you
care about will bounce back, too. Fact: Of VSD 47J
students surveyed, 86% feel they can do most things if
they try. (Student Wellness Survey, 2012)
Anderson continues, “Can individuals learn to
be more resilient, or are some just born with the ability
to bounce back from adversity? Both!
Research suggests that human beings are born
with an innate self-righting ability, which can be helped
or hindered. Their findings are fueling a major shift in
thinking about human development: from obsessing
about problems and weaknesses to recognizing
“the power of the positive–identifying and building
individual and environmental strengths that help people
to overcome difficulties, achieve happiness, and attain
life success.”
This quote pretty much sums up what the
Vernonia Prevention Coalition has been working
towards for the last five years. Developing, partnering
and promoting programming that develop resiliency in
youth, families and adults. Prevention programs for
adolescents and their families are designed to reduce
youth problems and promote positive development by
addressing assets and risk and protective factors at the
family level are key to success. Fact: Most VSD 47J
students, up to 85% of Vernonia students, feel there are
lots of chances to be involved with activities outside of
class. (Student Wellness Survey, 2012)
There are five key supports developed by the
America’s Promise Alliance, that are essential in any
program: having caring adults around, providing safe
places, include a healthy start and healthy development,
effective education and an opportunity to help others
through service. The VPC has had the opportunity
to partner with many programs and agencies here in
Vernonia that do just that. One great example of this is
the Summer Meal program.
In its first year, the Summer Meal Program
prepared over 4100 meals. The second year was a
bit less. Less kids to feed? NOPE—less number of
volunteers needed due to the length of time individuals
were able to give! (an average of 25 hours a week). An
even greater aha was the partnerships and volunteers
that collaborated to make it so successful. So unique,
the group was actually honored at a statewide event
highlighting summer meal programs.
The success of the partnerships developed
through the SMP carried the volunteers to plan a winter
break event to help support youth and families out of
school: Celebrating Families. With a hope and zeal,
the group planned and successfully implemented the
first Celebrating Families during the 2011 Winter
Break. An average of 175 tickets was collected from
each activity: cookie decorating, card making, candy
cane art, cocoa mug gifts, holiday photos, pet toys, and
more. Youth were excited to bring back their families
for a holiday family photo and to make additional gifts
for extended family members. It was amazing how a
small opportunity can empower kids to feel important.
On December 20-22 nd , we are about to do it
again! This year, the Celebrating
Families’ location has changed
to keep it in the middle of town
for easier access by youth on
foot. The Vernonia Community
Church has donated its gym for
the volunteers to host this three
day event. The VPC is partnering
with eight other partners
supporting this event: Summer
Meals Program, Girl Scouts,
Vernonia School District, Head
Start Parents, Lyons, VRFPD,
Hands on Art, and the NW
Parenting HUB. Added bonus,
the event is free to all who come!
However, the program
wasn’t just thrown together. It was
developed to be purposeful and
intentional in its efforts utilizing
the five keys to support system. Like the Summer Meal
Program, all volunteers have had background checks, a
safe and accessible space was provided, and each youth
was greeted and walked through a selection process to
choose the perfect gift for family members. Further,
there was encouragement of youth to mentor others
during the three days.
What a great way to build
resiliency in, not only our
youth, but our community. Plan,
donate, implement and celebrate
successfully programs that support
healthy community norms: healthy
mentors, safe spaces, meaningful
programs, and opportunities to give
back to your community. Vernonia
Prevention Coalition has had the
privilege to partner with amazing
groups who share similar missions
to provide these opportunities.
Community resiliency cannot
be sustained by one entity, group,
government or church. It is the
collaboration that will build
sustainability of resiliency in us all. Do you want to
be a part of the puzzle in making a sustained difference
in Vernonia? Fact: Most VPC members, 90%, feel
they have an equal opportunity to provide input to the
coalition. (VPC Performance Scale Survey, Oct. 2012)
Can’t physically make the meetings? We can bring it
to you via telecommunication! Or look for us on the
web, www.vernoniapreventioncoalition.com or like us
on Facebook.
Volunteers are needed to bring their voice to the table
to address how to keep Vernonia a safe and healthy
community. Regular meetings are held on the first
Wednesday of the Month at the VCLC starting at 3:00
PM. Please contact DeAnna Pearl, Director, at 503-
369-7370 or DeAnna@vernonia-or.gov.