Session F – “Resiliency”

There are youth at risk in every school, in every community.  There are many factors that marginalize the at risk youth including single parent families, poverty, substance abuse, alcoholism, physical and sexual abuse.  So the question remains how do we help these children?  How do we find the solution for a problem that has been called simple deviance or disorder where it may be better understood as pain-based behaviour? 

John MacCormack introduced us to the circle of courage; the circle holds components such as belonging, mastery, independence and generosity.  “I implement the circle of courage into young people’s lives to show them that they need balance in their lives,” said John MacCormack.  There are six main components to resiliency, these are caring and support, high expectations, opportunities for meaningful participation, positive bonds, clear and consistent boundaries, and life skills.  “Students need to know that they are important.”