Finding a place to fit in and have a sense of belonging means being accepted despite your flaws or idiosyncrasies. When someone has had to go through life with their defenses up to ward off bullies, it may require a few extra ‘takes’ for people to connect the dots and come to understand who you […]
When I entered the field of child welfare, I was required to attend long days at core training classes. If we became fidgety, stressed or distracted by our own thoughts, our tables were stocked with pictures to color and toys that could be bent, stretched and twisted enticing us to use creativity as a coping […]
Previously, I attended the Colorado Advocacy In Action conference. “Self Care Activities” were offered at the end of the day that included your choice of a Betty Ford Alpine Garden Tour Yoga Healthy Rhythms Drumming or Group Art Therapy. If you didn’t want to choose one of these, they suggested you take a dip in […]
What does it take for a student to succeed? Is it enough to be smart? To have educated, involved parents? Does it require involvement in enrichment or athletic opportunities? Is it defined by the number of friends you have; for real and virtually? From a high level, research-based perspective, the Search Institute developed a framework […]
PREP recently sponsored a film project for youth to create a short video of their own making using their own voice. A public showing was held at the Launchpad in Carbondale, CO where the audience members were moved; some to tears, by the messages they heard from these young people. One of the young videographers […]
Are you looking for holiday gift ideas that will bring the family together this holiday season? Would you like to avoid the Black Friday mentality of materialism and create family traditions that are long lasting and memorable? This past summer, the PREP Summit offered a full day’s training on Media Literacy, and in a few days […]
by Diana Andrews, Garfield County PREP Program Manager Often times when people discuss the effects of trauma on our youth, the trauma is thought to be only sexual or violent in nature. While any child who has experienced this kind of trauma needs support and understanding to make sense of their behaviors, so do children […]
In the year I have spent as PREP Program Manager, I have had the distinct pleasure of getting to listen to youth in our valley, and I have learned a LOT. One of the goals of PREP is to engage youth and adults in conversation around sensitive topics like sexuality. […]
