What is Resiliency?
Resiliency is the ability to recover quickly from setbacks; the ability to thrive amidst change; or, as the Encarta Dictionary puts it: "a person’s capacity to weather the storms of life and come out with more power and more smarts."
Individual Resiliency Characteristics: inner strength, energy, determination, connectedness, purpose, self-confidence, and a positive outlook.
Individual Resiliency Factors: safe, supportive environment; guiding inspirational messages; and participation in setting & accomplishing goals.
Community Resiliency Characteristics: safety, productivity, responsibility, awareness, balance, pride, and a positive outlook.
Community Resiliency Factors: strong partnerships and alliances, clear & timely two-way communication, and social and educational events/programs.
These resilient factors must be present in all significant environments:
* Home
* School/Work
* Community
These resilient factors must be present for all stakeholders:
- Organizations: nonprofit and governmental agencies—i.e. churches, schools, clinics, mentoring programs
- Residents: people of all ages and situations regardless of race, religion, socio-economics, sexual orientation, etc.
- Businesses: for-profit ventures whether national chains or sole proprietors—small business concentration
Key Strategies to Advance Community Resiliency
- Partnering: Enlist a holistic approach through integrated missions, visions, goals & objectives
- Communicating: Two-way timely communication between individuals, organizations, businesses
- Educating: Provide opportunities for individual and community growth
- Celebrating: Present opportunities to celebrate success and milestones
Key Strategies to Sustain Community Resiliency
- Organizing: networking organizations, residents and businesses through action teams and wellbeing councils
- Evaluating: longitudinal data to measure effectiveness of programs, agencies, and partnerships
- Leveraging Resources: leveraging and maximizing resources through fund, resource and volunteer development
Creating a Resiliency Reserve
Crucial point about resiliency—be it individual or community—it must be replenished by maintaining a balance in all Seven Areas of Wellbeing.