About

Roots of Resilience

This project aims to strengthen families by fostering resilience, promoting well-being, and connecting our community with resources that empower parents and nurture children.

The most effective change stems from connection and a sense of belonging. Numerous studies have shown that stress undermines health and well-being, while social support serves as a protective resource against stress. Stress is an inevitable part of serving in any role a caregiver may assume. As such, a community that emphasizes social integration fosters a greater sense of belonging and meaning. These two concepts are the stepping stones to focusing on our personal and familial well-being.

Why does this matter?

  • Toxic stress is the excessive and prolonged activation of our stress response. This is the outcome of facing consistent adversity without the buffer of supportive relationships and coping skills. Consider the consistent adversities, both within and beyond our control. The key things a community can control are increasing opportunities for supportive relationships and providing education on coping skills.
  • With busier schedules and fewer connections, we have to be intentional about strengthening our connections and learning about our coping skills.
  • Toxic stress affects cognitive and social development
  • The COVID-19 Pandemic decreased opportunities for connection and increased isolation, screen time, and stress.

What does this look like in our community?

  • Charlevoix County Youth Advisory Committee identified in their 2025 Youth Needs Assessment that 3 of 4 middle and high schoolers report feeling frequently overwhelmed and unable to manage stress.
  • In the 2024 School Climate Survey for Boyne City Public Schools, a sense of emotional security ranked lowest across all age groups, including among parents and staff.
  • The Region 2 MiFamily Engagement Center Systems Scan found that a high percentage of families reported fatigue as a barrier to engagement.
  • *I encourage you to review the Region 2 systems scan in it’s entirity. It has valuable data on the strengths and areas for improvement in our community.

What’s the plan?

Our comprehensive suite of professional services caters to a diverse clientele, ranging from homeowners to commercial developers.

Increase Family Resilience

Resilience is finding the way to overcome our adversities. When we have strong communities, we build a sense of belonging that allows us the space to practice and implement coping skills.

Reduce Prolonged Stress

Through increased education on the different ways stress affects our daily lives and the steps we can take each day to decrease this stress, we provide better opportunities for families to reduce these long-term effects of prolonged stress.

Strengthen the Connection between Families, Schools, and Community Partners

When families feel more confident in their connections and skills, they are better able to collaborate with educators for their children’s best interests.

Empower Families to Find Strategies That Work For Them

There is no one-size-fits-all for well-being. What works for one family, may not be effective for another. Providing increased opportunities for learning allows families to choose what works best for them, increasing the likelihood that new habits will become new norms.

Shift Engagement From One-Time Events to Long Standing Connections

Events are wonderful ways to connect families and increase support. By providing education opportunities and ensuring follow-through with activities and community organizations, we extend these connections and new skills beyond a one-time event.

Building Confidence in Families

When parents and families feel confident in their skills and understanding, it promotes stronger resilience, emotional regulation, and decreased anxiety and depression.