About Roots of Resilience
Connection helps build strength where people put down roots
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.
Our Mission
Resilience isn’t something you build alone. It’s something a community builds together.
Kick Off Night
Our Kick-Off Night is designed to connect families with the opportunities already available in our community for building resilience and wellness, and to show how best to utilize them! Organized with a large selection of vendors to explore and on-site child care available, this is a space to connect and explore. This will be an opportunity to learn about our classes being offered throughout the weekend as well! Did we mention that dinner is included? You won’t want to miss it!
Classes/Workshops
Throughout Saturday and Sunday following the event, we will be offering in-person classes and workshops that community members can attend to learn how to incorporate wellness and resilience into their everyday routines, their community, and, most importantly, their own homes. Participants will be able to choose from a large selection of classes that best their own goals and lifestyles.
Week-Long Incentives
We learn best when we are given the opportunities to practice the new skills we have learned! Throughout the week, you can redeem incentives earned from attending the classes to apply your knowledge! Maybe you learned about the importance of sitting and connecting with a new friend, you can do that with discounted coffee! Maybe you learned about how when our mind is disregulated our bodies tend to be too and want to try a yoga class. Whatever fits you best, we hope to provide opportunities where you can practice those skills!
Why Does Connection 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.
Toxic stress affects cognitive and social development
The COVID-19 Pandemic decreased opportunities for connection and increased isolation, screen time, and stress.
With busier schedules and fewer connections, we have to be intentional about strengthening our connections and learning about our 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.
What Guides Us
What does this look like in our community?
Overwhelmed & Stressed Students
Charlevoix County Youth Advisory Committee identified in their 2025 Youth Needs Assessment that 3 out of 4 middle and high schoolers report feeling frequently overwhelmed and unable to manage stress.
Lack of Emotional Security
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.
Families in Constant Fatigue
The Region 2 MiFamily Engagement Center Systems Scan found that a high percentage of families reported fatigue as a barrier to engagement.
What’s the plan?
Offer a training/workshop-style format where families can choose different topics to engage with, attend classes, connect with others, and use attendance incentives to engage with their communities and build resilience!
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
By increasing education about the different ways stress affects our daily lives and the steps we can take each day to reduce it, we provide better opportunities for families to reduce the 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 more learning opportunities allows families to choose what works best for them, increasing the likelihood that new habits will become 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.
There’s a place for you here
Whether you’re looking for support or ready to lend a hand, our door is open. Come put down roots with us.
