Balancing the Scale

Resiliency is the ability to bounce back from adversity. A resilient person has increased probability of school and life success despite adversities (risk factors) caused by early characteristics, conditions and experiences. Resiliency research points to the brain as being hard-wired for resilience, an inborn capacity. Three primary environmental protective factors promote resiliency in individuals: high expectations, caring and support, and opportunities for meaningful participation. These factors increase the brains capacity for adaptation and survival and meet basic developmental needs for safety; love and belonging; respect; personal power; meaning; challenge; and mastery. As a community we have the ability to see that these basic developmental needs are met by insuring the protective factors needed to nurture inherent resiliency are included in all children’s programs.

The Resiliency Initiative is an effort to train all educators and facilitators in our area in the strengths-focused philosophy of resiliency. In 2008 we provided training in resiliency to all faculty and administrators in the MDI school system. In 2010 we established a partnership with Healthy Acadia to train trainers who will provide support to the schools and other agencies that work with youth so that no matter where our children go on this island, they will bump into their own strengths. This effort, we believe, will give our youth the tools they need to develop into strong, self-directed, (and sober) adults.

To schedule training in your day care, school, church, business, or civic organization call 244-4012.