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Assertive Engagement Newsletter
October 2022
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As we wrap up our October four day virtual training, we're reflecting on the strengths in our community that we were able to draw on to make the training a success for the 70 participants who completed the full sessions.
We had the knowledge and expertise of the folks who have led AE trainings in the past, each one adding their own insights and wisdom to the curriculum. We had the support of our team at Youth and Family Services of Multnomah County who helped us with graphic design, helped us prep care packages, and gave us the physical space and support in which to lead the training. The agencies and partner organizations who supported their staff as they took time away from work responsibilities to participate and gain new tools for their skill sets. Lastly, we had the collective perspective and knowledge of each participant in the training that made it a unique learning experience.
By valuing our participants as resources for learning, we are continuously improving the training and deepening our understanding of the material. Sometimes we even get new quotes to use in future trainings! We're including one that was shared in October's training below.
The Assertive Engagement Team,
Rhea & Helen
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"You already have the precious mixture that will make you well. Use it." - Rumi | |
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Two principles of strengths-based practice are incorporating a systematic assesment of strengths and looking at the environment of the person you're working with as rich in resources.
- What is working for the person now?
- How have they succeeded and survived so far?
- Who has been around to help?
- Who is part of their community now?
One tool we can use to do this is an Asset Map, renamed Power Map by Robin Easton-Davis and a cohort of women that met regularly.
Placing the person at the center, naming the resources and supports available to them, drawing them out, creating a visual representation of their community, you begin to identify the power they are already connected to and who can be with them on their journey forward. Working through the map, you can see which connections are solid, and which ones need to be developed further.
In AE, we practice with ourselves before using tools in the field - so give it a try! Use the Power Map template below to name your community assets.
- Who can you turn to if things got really tough?
- That might include friends, biological or chosen family, coworkers, health professionals, counselors, nature, culture, community, social service agencies, pets...
- Which connections are as solid as stone, and which connections can you deepen by tending to them a little more?
- Did you find any surprises?
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While it's important to remember and recognize the power you have from your community, don't forget about the strengths each of us posses inside.
Naming and knowing your own personal strengths builds resiliency and gives you something to hold onto during times of self-doubt.
In your center circle, add words that describe your own strengths and capabilities. You know you have some!
If you're having trouble coming up with words to describe the strong, capable person that you are, gain some inspiration below from our October training cohort word cloud.
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AE in Action
Community Highlights
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Hello, my name is Adam Yang,
I am a Program Specialist on the Permanent Supportive Housing team at the Joint Office of Homeless Services, and I attended the May Assertive Engagement Series workshops.
I use Assertive Engagement in just about every aspect of my work at this point. This training taught and employed a great deal of knowledge and tools that can be used in most situations. For me, this has given me more tools to meet the needs of myself, my clients, and my organization. In particular, it allows me to be more reflective of how I want to be present, to ask myself “is this the best way to show up, and will showing up in this way truly allow me to achieve the goals that I need to meet?”, and to have fluidity and change course to meet each challenging situation in a way that works for me and my needs while also being able to show up for others.
This training has also provided me with a community that I can go to, continue to learn, practice, and grow with peers from all different positions and organizations, and look at a lot of real situations that are happening for people, and work together as a community to find some strategies that would not have been attainable without this space.
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Discover your own Strengths |
Who doesn't love an online quiz? This strengths assessment will identify your top five strengths based on your answers about what excites and engages you in your work. It takes about 15 minutes and is free! | |
Strengths Based Practice with Youth |
Enjoy this 20 minute Tedx video by elementary principal Chris Wejr. He talks about how starting with one child and focusing on their strengths can change the culture in a school and promote engagement. What strengths can you focus on with the people you work with? | |
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Our collective strengths
In our October Assertive Engagement training workshop, we asked our 80 participants to pick strengths-based words they would use to describe themselves and words they would use to describe someone that has been challenging to work with. We put them all together to show the collective strength of our whole community. These are the traits we collectively posses and can draw from when things are tough.
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Upcoming virtual training opportunities
November
- Day 1 Tuesday, November 8th, 9am - 2pm
- Day 2 Thursday, November 10th, 9am - 2pm
- Day 3 Tuesday, November 15th, 9am - 2pm
- Day 4 Wednesday, November 16th, 9am - 2pm
Full - Registration closed!
February
- Day 1 Tuesday, February 7th, 9am - 2pm
- Day 2 Thursday, February 9th, 9am - 2pm
- Day 3 Tuesday, February 14th, 9am - 2pm
- Day 4 Thursday, February 16th, 9am - 2pm
Registration opens December 19th
(via this newsletter at approximately 11 am)
**Please note staff must be able to attend all the training sessions to complete the training. Space is limited.**
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AE Community of Ongoing Practice
What is a Community of Ongoing Practice?
A group of people who share a common interest and interact often to learn from each other and advance their work.
The next AE COOP meeting will focus on Ambivalence in AE and takes place virtually via Zoom on:
October 27th, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
AE COOP Community of Celebration!
December 15th, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sign up to join our community of practice email list and get updates on future programming and events.
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Question of the Month
What strength words would you use to describe your community?
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September Poll Results!
It looks the majority of folks who took our September poll feel conflict most in their neck (30%) and shoulders (26%). While you can't always stop the tension from settling there in the moment, when you're able to get away from the situation, you can try some stretches to loosen up and let go.
Neck Stretches
Shoulder Stretches
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October Poll
According to research, when people apply their strengths they are...
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