AUGUSTA, Ga. ()– It seems to be dominating the local headlines right now: kids and violence… from a 10-year-old shot and killed as she slept in her bed, to several teens shot, and a 14-year-old killed, in an Augusta parking lot.

What can we do as a community to make an impact and how can we help teens pick a better path?

A lot of organizations are trying to create better outcomes.

Resilient Teens aims to redirect the consequences of adverse childhood experiences by teaching teens coping strategies and skills.

Rebecca Best is the Executive Director of Resilient Communities of East Georgia.

“You know they’re teenagers, so they’re all trying to figure out who am I, right? And through the pillars of resiliency, they’re teaching them about that and teaching them about self-awareness, mindfulness, self-care, they can start to realize who they are, who they want to be, they can develop positive relationships, and they can find a path through purpose. You know, if you don’t have a purpose, it’s hard to know what path to take.”

The 2nd Annual Resilient Teens Summit for 6th – 12th graders AND their parents is coming up Saturday, August 16th at the Kroc Center on Broad Street in Augusta. Registration is at 8:30am, the program starts at 9am and the day wraps up at 2:30pm.

It will be a day of learning, connection and fun focused on resiliency and how to bounce back from life’s stressors and challenges… and it’s FREE!

Participants will hear from regional speakers, have interactive activities and end the day with a DJ party.

There will also be a special breakout sessions for parents at the end of the day.

For more information or to register, click here.