“Stressed brains can’t learn,” was a clear message from our community’s recent screening of the Paper Tigers movie, a documentary highlighting the success of an alternative high school that radically changed its approach to disciplining and supporting its students. Many movie-goers stayed afterwards to discuss how our very own community could embed similar approaches — from individual to community-levels. A helpful first step is acknowledging our emotions and how our behavior can be a symptom of the events going on in our lives.
Another clear message that came from the discussion is the importance of having positive adult role models in the lives of young people. All of us can play this role here in Homer. Research has actually shown that this is the single most important factor for breaking the cycle of adversity in a young person’s life.
Thanks to the Homer Theatre for providing a community venue, the Alaska Children’s Trust for providing the movie, and the Southern Kenai Peninsula’s Resiliency Coalition for sponsoring and coordinating this opportunity for discussion. It continues. For more info on existing efforts to promote healthy relationships in our community, please contact Rachel Romberg, 235-7712 or rachel@havenhousealaska.org.
Megan Murphy
MAPP Coordinator
