Philosophy
The world is facing disasters from social to environmental. The US has been effected by wildfires, floods, droughts, tornados, hurricanes, tropical storms, extreme cold and extreme heat. Communities must be prepared to provide for themselves in a time of need.
Ultimately, there is no way to truly prepare for a disaster. First Responders practice core skills to create "muscle memory," so that they are more able to respond if they should be overtaken by shock. Thus, community training is the best preventative measure that can be taken to create psychological resiliency in disaster scenarios.
The United States is actually experiencing a social disaster without realizing that is what is going on. Many people are feeling lonely, left out, abandoned, hopeless, judged, oppressed, anxious and out of control. Bullying and suicide rates have soared and the use of prescription medications and risky, self-destructive behavior has increased. The underlying problem is that we all have experienced the trauma of disconnection through the modernization of society. Society has replaced social skills with social media, and it cannot satisfy the need for true human connection and compassion.
Native American cultures have long since seen the connection, or relatedness, of all people and things. When their cultures were devastated social ills began to develop. The Historical Trauma left in its wake a culture of victimhood, forced dependence and high risk behaviors, such as substance abuse, violence and suicide. These same behaviors can be seen emerging in modern communities affected by natural disasters. Culture is a protective factor and those who have maintained traditional, cultural teachings has faired the best over time.
The Hero Project format includes a format by which indigenous resiliency techniques and processes can be employed that have helped cultures survive and recover for generations through countless disasters and traumas. These protocols and techniques are combined with methods of social psychology, social work, organizational change and crisis intervention/management.
Ultimately, teaching people how to come together through exploring their individual and shared experiences will help create a more compassionate, supportive and resilient community whether disaster ever strikes or not. By integrating cultural teachings and modern technology, a new "national culture" is emerging through the shared experience of diversity, community empowerment and resiliency.
Ultimately, there is no way to truly prepare for a disaster. First Responders practice core skills to create "muscle memory," so that they are more able to respond if they should be overtaken by shock. Thus, community training is the best preventative measure that can be taken to create psychological resiliency in disaster scenarios.
The United States is actually experiencing a social disaster without realizing that is what is going on. Many people are feeling lonely, left out, abandoned, hopeless, judged, oppressed, anxious and out of control. Bullying and suicide rates have soared and the use of prescription medications and risky, self-destructive behavior has increased. The underlying problem is that we all have experienced the trauma of disconnection through the modernization of society. Society has replaced social skills with social media, and it cannot satisfy the need for true human connection and compassion.
Native American cultures have long since seen the connection, or relatedness, of all people and things. When their cultures were devastated social ills began to develop. The Historical Trauma left in its wake a culture of victimhood, forced dependence and high risk behaviors, such as substance abuse, violence and suicide. These same behaviors can be seen emerging in modern communities affected by natural disasters. Culture is a protective factor and those who have maintained traditional, cultural teachings has faired the best over time.
The Hero Project format includes a format by which indigenous resiliency techniques and processes can be employed that have helped cultures survive and recover for generations through countless disasters and traumas. These protocols and techniques are combined with methods of social psychology, social work, organizational change and crisis intervention/management.
Ultimately, teaching people how to come together through exploring their individual and shared experiences will help create a more compassionate, supportive and resilient community whether disaster ever strikes or not. By integrating cultural teachings and modern technology, a new "national culture" is emerging through the shared experience of diversity, community empowerment and resiliency.