Project Recovery:  Community
   

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North Crawford School Flood Art Project & Westby School 6th Grade Flood Book Project

Following major disasters it is not uncommon for survivors to bottle up their feelings and stop talking about the event itself and the stress and strain of recovery. Recovery comes about when survivors are given opportunities to share their experience, strength and hope with one another. Two things happen in communities when people are given a chance to share. Those who are struggling are reminded they're not alone. We are oftentimes helped when we are given a chance to help others.

Since the August floods Project Recovery team members have been working with the North Crawford and Westby school districts encouraging students and staff to share their flood experiences. Joni Peterson (North Crawford Art Teacher) had a good understanding of the benefit of allowing students to express their stories through art. Bruce Peterson (Westby 6th grade teacher) also felt that there was value in encouraging his 6th graders to write about their personal flood stories as well as stories of friends and neighbors.

We have seen adults pay a little more attention to their own recovery when given an opportunity to read and view the writings and art of children.  Kids have a knack for getting to the heart of the matter. We all have the inner resources needed to become a survivor when we are given the opportunity to discover and experience our own resources.

- Westby School 6th Grade Flood Book (pdf)

- North Crawford School Flood Art Project (pdf)


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Persons who are recovering from any traumatic event shouldn’t isolate themselves. It’s important to get out, talk to friends, share personal stories about the floods and begin creating caring responses. Communities can counteract the isolation and withdrawal often associated with crisis and assist in the “up hill climb.”

Through the development of community support groups, guidance from counselors, ministers and other caregivers, recovery and growth are possible.

  

How can the community counteract isolation and withdrawal and provide support?
  1. Emphasize the importance of community.
  2. Help people be aware of the factors which work against community when experiencing a disaster.
  3. Help people devise ways to deal with their distancing of other people’s emotions.
  4. Emphasize that often people can be helped by small deeds.
  5. Encourage people to find support when they need it and accept help.
  6. Effective growth, development and maintenance of community require widespread support and knowledge of available resources.
  7. Emphasize that the people in our lives are resources.
  8. Create a structure which provides for long term needs in the community.
  
 

 
 
   

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