Tell Me Something Good: Sharing Stories of Resilience & Hope
Resiliency is a word that, like ‘unprecedented,’ is much used and carries tremendous meaning during COVID-19.
Now The Resiliency Collective, an umbrella group of local service providers that includes the Therapeutic Family Care Program and Five Counties Children’s Centre, wants to better define and share stories of ‘resiliency’ in the community. The Collective is organizing a free virtual event on October 19 that is open to everyone and meant to inspire participants and local service providers with unique, uplifting stories of hope. Event details include:
WHAT: Tell Me Something Good: Sharing Stories of Resilience & Hope
WHEN: Wednesday, October 19, 10 a.m. to Noon
WHERE: Virtual Event Open to Everyone (Event will run via Microsoft Teams. To register and receive an invitation, email cmorris@fivecounties.on.ca as soon as possible)
WHY: The event will feature local stories of resiliency and hope. People set to share their stories include: a local therapist talking about her own experience during the pandemic; family members from Syria telling their experiences moving to Canada; a grassroots advocate sharing stories of community support during COVID-19; and a Big Sister discussing her role and relationship with her Little Sister. In telling stories of hope, the event will also allow participants and service providers share their perspectives and resources.
Organizers of the Tell Me Something Good virtual event say there is power in sharing stories of hope.
“After 2+ years of a global pandemic, the virtual event will explore examples of resiliency from every corner of our community,” says Krista Mathers, a Systems Navigator in Northumberland with the Therapeutic Family Care Program. “Sharing stories, even small ones that occur at certain moments, are inspiring and can have a big impact.”
Fellow organizer Cheryl Morris echoes the point.
“We want to show how people have found silver linings, even in what’s been a very bleak time over the course of the pandemic,” says Morris, a Resource Consultant with Five Counties Children’s Centre. “Storytelling is so powerful, and it can be helpful for building resilience, especially in professionals and service providers who work every day to support local families.”
There are many factors that build resilience in a person, including: structure/routine, intimate and supportive relationships, a powerful source of identify, sense of belonging, safety and support, basic needs being met, and financial security. According to Mathers, some of these factors were upended during COVID-19 leading to increased challenges for many families in the region.
The Tell Me Something Good virtual event is presented by The Resilience Collective. Its member agencies include Therapeutic Family Care Program, Five Counties Childen's Centre, WrapAround Northumberland, Peterborough, Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board, Quinte Children’s Treatment Centre, and Rebound Youth Services.
