Project Resilience

Introduction

The videotape James' Story is a professional development tool for clinicians, educators, and prevention specialists seeking positive approaches to working with youth. It demonstrates talking about strengths, a method of assisting youth that is based on a study of resilience in the grown children of troubled families done Drs. Sybil & Steven Wolin. The tape can stand on its own as a teaching tool, or it can be incorporated into a broader training program. It is effective with large or small groups and is also appropriate as self-directed learning for individuals. This manual was designed to guide you through the tape and to assist you in using it for training.

James' Story features James, a 16 year old youth who is struggling with several severe challenges: a history of abuse and neglect, homelessness, and his own personal vulnerabilities. He is having a conversation with Dr. Steven Wolin. The purpose of the conversation is to expand the story James tells about himself to include not only his troubles but also his strengths and his resilience.

At the beginning of the video, James introduces himself using mostly negative terms. He is a cast-off, a kid with a record, and a frequent witness to violence. As the conversation progresses and James is asked to reflect on his strengths, he shifts to a more positive vocabulary. He becomes aware of achievements that he had not previously acknowledged. He begins to feel proud of himself, and he develops hope for his future. You can hear the change in his words, and you can see it on his face.

As James' conversation with Dr. Wolin demonstrates, talking about strengths is a method that respects the resilience in youth, acknowledges what youth know about their own lives, and recognizes their ability to act constructively on their own behalf. Youth in trouble respond accordingly by forming a balanced view of themselves that includes both their difficulties and their assets and by using this new view as the basis for positive change.

This guide to James' Story is divided into six sections. Section I, Background, gives you information you will need as a trainer about the method of talking about strengths and related concepts that are mentioned in the video. Section II gives James' history and his situation at the time the video was made. Section III is a complete transcript of James' Story. It is included so that trainers can master the text, refer to it in answering questions, and highlight specific portions for discussion. Section IV provides suggestions for presenting the tape. Section V contains frequently asked questions and makes recommendations for answering them. Section VI suggests additional reading and resources of use to trainers.

The suggestions presented in this guide can be adjusted to your own personal style and the needs of your audience. In addition, including your own experiences and knowledge when conducting training will make the material your own and will bring it to life for your trainees.