Sources of Strength

By Tom Gerhardt, NDU Communications

Sources of Strength was implemented in Minot just over two years ago. The program’s mission is to prevent suicide, bullying and substance abuse by building relationships between peers and adults — using peer leaders and focusing on eight pillars of support. At Central Campus in Minot all involved say Sources of Strength is making a difference in students’ lives. Central Campus is busy — with 1,000 students and 150 staff members. You can see how it would be possible to get lost in the shuffle.

Sources of Strength is helping to make sure no one falls through the cracks. Started a couple of years ago, the program is helping forge positive connections, build relationships and ultimately impact the overall wellbeing of students. Jennifer Harbaugh, English teacher and the program director, said, “We are in a building where education comes first. But at the same time, a student’s mental health and emotional health, as well as their physical health, are also ranked up there with how important their education is. And if people can just realize that when you put all of that together as a whole, then I think you have a more successful student.”

Every month the group meets at Central they try and get students to look at something positive in their lives. Or if they need help — point them toward where they can get it. “I think here at Central Campus, we have a lot of students coming and going with the Air Force Base here,” said language arts teacher Kristina Byer. “Moving in because of job opportunities for their families, it’s really, really hard to meet new people at a high school level. You’re in class for 50 minutes and you move from class to class. So I think building those connections is very, very important in high school. And I think Sources of Strength has been able to let students know they are wanted here. They’re part of this community and they can form these connections with students and staff.”

Sources of Strength – and the activities surrounding it – have provided a safe environment for students to come out of their shell. “I was very shy at the beginning of the year,” said student Willow Green. “I kind of just stick to myself. And I found other people who stuck to themselves, which isn’t a bad thing. But joining Sources of Strength has certainly made me come out of my shell a little bit more. I am more confident talking in front of a bunch of people. I’m more confident going up to someone new and just being like, ‘Hey, I want to be friends’ and just be more open.”

Sources of Strength is helping to make sure no one falls through the cracks.

“I really like it because it shows how we can do things in the community and our school district. And its main focus is making others feel included and helping them through things that they may not want to talk about with everybody. But we have activities that we do that include everybody,” said Kayla Prestwich, a student at Central Campus. “I think it’s a great community of people. They definitely have changed me for the better because it’s like a group we can open up and talk about certain things that you probably wouldn’t be open to talk about with other kids. And it just really, like, changed me for the best I think.” Ultimately, principal Harlan Johnson says if it makes a difference for one student, the program is worth it. “When I think of if it makes a difference for one kid, then it’s worth it in the end. It was based as a suicide prevention program right away, but now it’s really morphed. Kids really kind of have that whole wellbeing, the whole circle on everything, so that they really feel that they’re part of something within our building.”