July Newsletter 2020 | Page 7

Coloring Books for Kids Pictured here are Doug Murray, Youth Coalition Coordinator, and Matt Murray, The Orchards Vice President of Operations. COLORING BOOKS FOR KIDS Our friends at Family Recovery Center have been focused on providing Resilience Bags to neighborhood children all summer. We were honored to assist their ongoing efforts by providing Eat Right, Eat Healthy coloring books and crayons. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic the Family Recovery Center Prevention Department has been reaching the vulnerable children throughout the area by distributing “Resilience Bags.” The bags have strategically been placed at food banks, children services, police departments, churches, and various other similar agencies to potentially reach the most at-risk families. The content of these resilience bags have included journals, puzzles, various board games for the family, a family activity, coloring books, crayons, pens, pencils, and ideas for families to do while social distancing. The most important content of the bags are the resources for the parents that stress the parent/ child relationship qualities that are important in youth development such as key elements of a strong parent – youth relationships, developmental assets, and ways to support a child’s mental health and crisis information. By providing these parent resources and items we are assisting families in coping with stress/anxiety which will make them stronger, the people they care about, and our community stronger. Studies show that adversity during childhood, including adversity stemming from natural disasters, can have lasting impacts on children’s social emotional health. The most troubling, this adversity will disproportionately affect low-income families who have fewer resources. Children are more vulnerable to the emotional impact of traumatic events that disrupt their daily lives. While most children eventually return to their typical functioning when they receive consistent support from sensitive and responsive caregivers, others are at risk of developing significant mental health problems, including trauma-related stress, anxiety, and depression. Children with prior trauma or pre-existing mental, physical, or developmental problems—and those whose parents struggle with mental health disorders, substance misuse, or economic instability—are at especially high risk for emotional disturbances. Notice any similarity between these gentlemen? Doug Murray and Matt Murray have been working together since they were young as they are brothers! If you are in need of services please contact the Columbiana County office at 330-424-1468 OR the Jefferson County office at 740-283-4946.