MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. — The ability to adapt to change and overcome adversities defines what is understood as resilience. In recent months, there have been a number of debilitating factors including the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in our economy, lost jobs, budget changes, civil unrest and general uncertainty which requires us individually, as well as our communities to tap into that resilience.
Research shows that cumulative experiences lead to greater risks for impacts on our long-term health and wellbeing. In light of the multitude of challenges that members in communities across the nation are facing, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware and Orange Counties are joining together to offer a series of webinars for community members across the state.
The series was launched in early October with a webinar on Growing Resilience Individually, and will commence with a session on Growing Resilience as a Community on Thursday, November 19th. The second webinar (on 11/19) will feature a group of panelists who will discuss the steps and process they engaged in to develop community resilience initiatives. Participants will then have the opportunity to identify possible steps they can take in their respective communities.
The final part of this series will be a virtual conference that focuses on Tools for Growing Resilience: in schools, health and human services, and the community at large. The final session(s) will be held on Tuesday, December 8th and Wednesday, December 9th where Scarlett Lewis, founder of the Choose Love Movement will deliver the keynote. Additional details regarding the virtual conference will be released soon.
Executive Director Jeanne Darling says “We are pleased to be able to partner with other county extensions to help address what we all need in uncertain times like these, to help us cope, get through and eventually be able to thrive again.” Julika von Stackelberg, Family and Community Resilience Educator at CCE Orange states that “Resilience is not a do-it-yourself project, as members in our communities we can all contribute to creating protective and nurturing factors, especially for children.”
Webinar participants can expect to learn strategies that support resilience as a community and there will be a special focus on schools, health care and human service providers, as well as sectors including faith-based communities, courts, law enforcement and the community at large.
There is no cost to this series, however registration is required. To register or for more information, please contact Julika von Stackelberg at (845) 344-1234 ext. 274 or jv426@cornell.edu, or Jeanne Darling at (607) 865-6531 or jmd30@cornell.edu.
To register for the webinar on Thursday, November 19, please visit: https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMoce2gpj0tEtY8VW5pcTbdvi3VPFLSy-M6
Registration for the conference will open the week of November 9.
In neighborhoods, homes, workplaces, and schools, CCE educators work to empower individuals and families with raising children, saving energy and money, growing and preparing food, starting, sustaining businesses, and protecting the environment. Each CCE office relies on county, state, and federal funds to solve local problems and strengthen communities. For more information contact Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County at 845-344-1234 or visit www.cceorangecounty.org or contact Cornell Cooperative Extension Delaware County at (607) 865-6531 or visit www.ccedelaware.org.
–Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County
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