Commander Stephen Martin from the Massachusetts Army National Guard met with members of the School Community Partnership of Partners’ Youth Violence Prevention Task Force on April 26, 2017 to offer a training on Self-Resilience. The training covered Real-Time Resilience, and Character Strengths in Self and Others, providing personal insight into personal concepts and outlooks. Commander Martin addressed the competencies of  Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, Optimism, Mental Agility, Strengths of Character, and Connection. One emphasis of the training is the concept of “Hunt the Good Stuff”, which encourages participants to notice positive experiences in order to enhance their gratitude and positivity. Click here for a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the US Army Resilience Training. Commander Martin may be contacted at sm215th@gmail.com .

(Top row) Michaela Gagne Hetzler, Co-Chair of the Fall River Youth Violence Prevention Task Force opens the session and introduces Commander Stephen Martin of the MA Army National Guard as School Wellness Coordinator Marcia Picard and Fall River Youth Services Coordinator listen. (Middle row, left and center) Commander Martin leads the group through a Character and Strength Definition exercise as Tina Shorette of the Fall River Youth Connection works with Maria Bairos. (Middle row, right) April Cabrera of the Bristol County District Attorney's Office asks a question. (Bottom row, left and center) Commander Martin responds to questions at the end of his talk and confers with Americorps Volunteer Jay Wong after the session (Bottom row, right) Michaela Gagne Hetzler talks with Tina Shorette about the session.