By Steph Wetzel
Here at East, there are many different programs that include embracing your individuality and discuss getting involved. There is one particular program known as Sources of Strength in which the advisors, Ms. Taberski and Mrs. Kaspizak inform students on how they can be more observant and how that alone is a way to help someone in need. Their main topics of discussion are depression and suicide. Students are nominated for this program; however, it is their choice whether or not they join. “We were asked as advisors to go through training and we were trained along with North. We started out with fifteen peer leaders that were trained,” says Ms. Taberski. Each student that was nominated was required to go through training. There was some discussion in the beginning; afterwards, they read through a packet that included ways to spread hope, help, and strength. “In addition to the ice breakers that we did, we learned a lot about th different sources of strength,” Mrs. Kaspizak. The students and advisors of this organization believe that being observant is a way of helping people. “We talked a lot about how appearance shows who a person is,” Jason Librock. If someone is depressed, it may be shown through their appearance.
One of the many goals of this group is to make people feel comfortable with talking about conflicts in their lives. “We want to educate students and teachers by saying that there are different resources you can go to. If you are going through a tough situation, you don’t ever want to be by yourself,” says Joli Lederman. Both the students and the advisors have set goals that they want Sources of Strength to accomplish. “Our goals as advisors is to have students take over, it is more authentic that way to have the students determine what direction we are going to go in,” states Mrs. Kaspizak. They nominated these students in particular because they believe that they have the capability of being in charge of this program. The students also have goals of their own that they would like to achieve whether they are in charge or not. “We were planning an SOS(Sources of Strength) week to educate people on what the program is about by having activities and presentations,” remark Joli Lederman. Perhaps preparing presentations and activities is just the beginning.
The advisors and the students both enjoy this organization and are satisfied with what they have accomplished so far. “It is a different approach than other programs that are offered at this school,” states Allie Scumaci. The members of this organization encourage you to be more observant and be there to help others that may have thoughts of suicide.
