Busy Week for Resiliency Workshops

So what does a week of Resiliency training look like? Glad you asked. The following summary highlights the events of this past week and we will post other stories down the road.

Monday October 12th:  Care for the Care Giver
An important part of rebuilding healthy community is helping those responsible for the caring of others.  Monday morning began with Ruvie Rogel, Deputy CEO of The Community Stress Prevention Center presenting the topic of Compassion Fatigue and Burnout. 

The training included a self test offering participants opportunity to evaluate their current state of being in regards to self care.  Compassion Fatigue occurs when a person “Just can’t do enough”.  Burnout however occurs when a person says “I’m DONE!  Gotta get out of here!”   

The symptoms of both Compassion Fatigue and Burnout are the same, and the solution rests in Self Care.  We gave participants time to practice what they were taught, the afternoon was spent with free massage, haircuts, an art box to create cards and posters, a writing corner with journals, and a chatting corner with tea, coffee and cookies  All the participants had time to spend on themselves, a true luxury! Participants took their smiles home to share with family and friends.

 
Tuesday October 13th – Thursday October 15th: Educating and Influencing Others
This program was developed to help equip participants to grasp the concepts of Resiliency and share them in their sphere of influence.  The three days were filled with intensive training and exercises to improve implementation of the concepts. 

During the course of the three days, participants had opportunity to explore their personal coping channels, listening skills, restoring continuities in the lives of those affected by traumatic or stressful situations and learning the art of walking with others through their challenges and leading them to positive choices for recovery. 
         
The workshop was attended by residents, clergy, caregivers and others interested in helping others cope with difficult situations.  Participants were pleased with the training given by Ruvie Rogel, Deputy CEO of The Community Stress Prevention Center and found the information to be helpful both personally and as a tool to help others.  The Certificate of Completion was given to three attendees who completed round three of training.
 
Friday October 16th: Orientation to Resiliency
Local government, law enforcement, and fire fighter leadership gathered for a presentation by Ruvie Rogel, Deputy CEO of The Community Stress Prevention Center on Disaster Preparedness.  The participants offered their insights into the challenges encountered in the face of Katrina.  Ruvie shared his experience and expertise in helping municipalities and communities prepare for disaster around the world. 

The day ended with a commitment to pursue funding for more training in this area for Bay St. Louis city government.
 
Saturday October 17th:  Youth Resiliency Day
Bouncing balls, hoola hoops, play dough and markers, what do they all have in common?  These are the tools to help youth develop the skills to encourage and help one another though difficult times.  Thirty youth gathered and spent their day exploring the coping methods of the BASIC Ph, implementing the information presented and challenging one another to change the world around them. 

The teens were divided into groups who developed a “book” on coping to be presented to the community during the “Community Resiliency Day” December 12th, 2009, during Second Saturday. Intensive training will be offered to interested youth on December 8-9th.

There are so many personal stories and miracles that come about every time we conduct a Resiliency Workshop. God truly has blessed us to bless others through this program.

One story that really made us smile during the week was we had a woman come and on the first day she had a cane, bandaid on head (from someone throwing something at her), her head down, dressed in black and bent over.

On the second day, she had her hair combed, ribbon in her hair, navy dress and making eye contact

On day three she was wearing teal colored pants and shirt with pink flowers, NO cane and smiling offering to help. 

So, on Saturday she arrived with a mat, gloves and weeded the flower bed at the church. That is the power of what God puts into resiliency.

We are truly blessed to bless others and thank everyone for their support and prayers.
Di