Pathways to Resilience III: Beyond Nature vs. Nurture

Stories of Resilience:

Abstract #69
Suitcase of Survival
Presenter: Jane Arnfield Co - Presenter: Tony Harrington
Abstract:
Live witness testimony is an integral tool to accessing further testimony. Working with host, testimonial witnesses seeking to uncover new and engaging ways to demonstrate how testimony can continue to have a living presence through a series of surrogates. Through physical and intellectual exercises Suitcase of Survival investigates and excavates how resilience is formed and how resilience is maintained. The work of SOS depends on defining core values - personal, individual core values which contribute to building of personal resilience, helping both the development of the individual and the individual operating with a group. Utilising drama based approaches, the participants activate a personal opportunity to reflect on their life, explore their own decision making and construct or deconstruct their one value systems with the single aim of developing and nurturing themselves as active citizens - as citizens of activism. The multimodal creative programme Suitcase of Survival not only provides participants  with the tools to meet the challenges and responsibilities of active citizenship and an awareness of global communities but its themes provide a fertile ground for innovative art making. Central to Suitcase of Survival (SOS) is the exploration of memory and personal history, diversity, human rights, empathy, identity and interdependence.

Abstract #97
Courage to Heal: A Case Examination of the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children 
Presenter: Wanda Taylor
Abstract:
This paper presentation will examine how certain children who have experienced extreme childhood trauma manage to overcome horrific circumstances and find a way to cope in their everyday lives. The paper will use the example from my book on the case of the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children. Established in 1921 as an orphanage for Black children in Nova Scotia at a time when they were not permitted entry into mainstream orphanages, this institution was to be the best thing to ever happen to those poor, abandoned children. 
It wasn’t until former residents found the courage, as adults, to come forward and tell their stories (by way of a class action law suit filed against the institution and the province) that society became aware of the extremely disturbing circumstances under which those children lived. Stories of brutal rape, extreme physical abuse, near starvation, emotional and sexual abuse and neglect were a part of the everyday lives of these children, who were already coming from less than ideal circumstances. Relying on extensive interviews with former residents and making reference to Keck and Sakdapolrak’s definition of social resilience (2013), the presentation will examine issues of resiliency and coping.

Abstract #216
Live MY Life: See What It's Like
Presenter: Diana Parris
Abstract:
Youth in care tell us with frank honesty about what works and what gets in the way. 
Our workshop presents youth in care‘s experiences about what works and what gets in the way of good CYC practice.  In the workshop, audience members are challenged to take active roles in promoting youth voice in their work, as well as in quality assurance and program evaluation for agencies. 
We conclude the workshop with a youth voice video – created  by at risk youth, expressing their voice:  “Live MY Life: See what it’s like” funded by the  KB Knowledge
“What do they tell us”: We conducted focus group discussions and individual interviews with present & former youth in care who shared with us the critical skills, qualities, attitudes, beliefs, values, cultural competence and  self-awareness required by CYCP’s : what works and what doesn’t work. 
Our research speaks to the obligation we have to find ways to incorporate youth voice and feedback into ongoing quality assurance or program evaluations in youth services : evaluation needs to be mandated and iterative.