Build Cornerstones for Prevention

Cornerstones
A multi-dimensional, educational experience designed for students

Through Cornerstones, young people learn how to identify and develop the protective factors that contribute to healthy, drug-free lives.

Cornerstones
uses storytelling as a method for young people to express
their feelings, concerns, hopes, and dreams.

Cornerstones
uses stories that are culturally sensitive and informative.
It teaches young people respect for the ‘global family.’

Cornerstones
uses humor and sensitivity to creatively address:

• Anger Management
• Character Education
• Cultural Diversity
• Decision Making
• Personal Responsibility
• Self-Esteem
• Stress Reduction
• Substance Abuse

Program needs: Betsy typically works with one particular grade level. Program includes a weekly story assembly last 40-45 minutes, followed by small group breakout sessions within self-contained classrooms for an additional 45-60 minutes each week depending on school scheduling needs. Students process the information discussed through weekly writing assignments and other creative expression/artwork. Optimal program length is 8 sessions, however, 6 and 4 session programs are available.

How to Tell Your Story

Storytelling can help you strengthen your confidence, enhance your personal power, and promote healing. This workshop* will teach you to transform your personal experience into a story through twelve easy activities.

As a certified WHEEL trainer, Betsy is proud to offer this workshop for teens and adults. (WHEEL is Wholistic Health Education and Empowerment for Life.) [link?]

Participants will:

• Understand the hero/heroine journey and recognize its stages
• Increase self-awareness through artwork and imagery
• Become more comfortable with storytelling
• Understand archetypes and basic story structure
• Demonstrate the ability to work with archetypes
• Leave with a new personal story and a deeper appreciation for storytelling.

* This workshop requires a minimum of 7 hours to complete. It can be scheduled to suit your training needs. Individual workbooks are required.

Use the Power of Story for Prevention

This workshop series discusses and demonstrates the power of the spoken work for prevention work. If you are a prevention specialist, teacher, youth worker, or concerned about substance abuse prevention, this workshop will provide you both information and experiential exercises that you can duplicate in a classroom or group setting.

The first component focuses on:

• Storytelling as an art form
• The “inner workings” of story
• Stories and the unconscious mind
• Storytelling and resiliency
• The role of the listener
• Relationship between storyteller & listener
• Telling your stories and finding your voice

The second component focuses on:

• Program Design
• Implementation
• Follow-up activities
• Sample stories
• Story selection
• Tips for effective telling
• Pitfalls to avoid