Avondale hoping for lots of attendance at second community conversation on resiliency

Avondale United Church is encouraging adults to join a community conversation to learn how they can evaluate what affects their own resilience.

In partnership with Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Huron-Perth, the Huron-Perth Centre for Children and Youth, and the Kiwanis Club of Stratford, Avondale will host their second virtual Community Conversation on Resilience on June 9 from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. via Zoom.

The series incorporates Michael Ungar’s teachings on building resiliency in children. Each session includes a short video covering one of his teachings and group discussions. The second out of three sessions will focus on how adults can look at what external factors contribute to their resiliency to help build resiliency in children.

"It's an important self-care skill that we all should have that if we have developed the things around us that help us during times of trouble, that any of us can navigate those challenges in life over a lifespan, but we also know that when children are surrounded by strong adults, they do better because those strong adults become one of those nine things that they need, which is supportive relationships – so it's really a win-win,” said Terri Sparling, congregation member and retired CEO of the Huron-Perth Centre for Children and Youth.

Avondale had their first Community Conversation on Resiliency on March 25. Sparling said it went well, but that attendance was lower than expected.

"We prepared for the masses, and we didn't have that, but the people that came seemed to get something out of it,” she said.

Aleah Graff, Avondale’s community engagement coordinator, said that anyone with or without children in their lives is welcome to attend the free virtual event.

"It doesn't have to be dependent on who we're supporting,” Graff said. “You can come to this session even if you'd like to have some support yourself on assessing your own resilience factors."

Registration can be done online via https://tinyurl.com/33c6z2rm no later than June 8.