Creating
CHANGE
One Caring Adult Makes All The Difference
The people of Kaua‘i clearly care about their youth. When different groups from all over the island were asked what was And for always most important to them, the resounding answer was “our kids.” Sometimes, it takes a statistic as alarming as The MORE this one—one in eleven protective factors a Kaua‘i teenagers attempted suicide youth has, it is MORE last year—to LIKELY he or she will: mobilize people at every level of - Not give up in face of adversity - Do well in school -get better grades the community to get involved.
a meal, providing safe places and opportunities for teens to gather, or simply taking an interest in a youngster.
For All…
- Have a better financial future - Take care of their health
The Kaua‘i Resilience Project evolved as a collective of individuals from the realms of health, education, social services, and the faith community. It’s
leaders launched a twelve month educational campaign to inform the public about proven “protective factors” that can help youth handle stress and bounce back when times get tough. “Every person on Kaua‘i can help,” said Mason Chock, chair of the Kaua‘i Resilience Project. Parents, community groups, schools, employers, and friends can take simple steps to create more of these protective factors, whether it’s sharing
Because adult support has been shown to help protect youth from feelings of despair, one of the campaign’s key messages is Kaua‘i’s Kids are Your Kids. And because life on Kaua‘i can be hard for teens— whether because of bullying, a breakup, a broken family, falling behind, or nothing to look forward to—another key campaign message is You Got This. There’s a lot that can be done to help the youth of Kaua‘i develop a sense of belonging
and worth, and become resilient enough to reach out for help and not give up when things look bleak. Resilience is a matter of life and death. Your help can make the difference.
DID YOU KNOW: Outcomes from the Kaua‘i Resilience Project will be fed into the data being measured by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation as part of its CHANGE Framework, a system that empowers a community to define an issue it deems important and implement community-led solutions.
If you or someone you know is in need of help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK or text ALOHA to 741741. For more information on The Kauai Resilience Project, or to get involved, visit www.kauaiskidsareyourkids.com.