This month we’ll continue our focus on children by exploring adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs. ACEs are traumatic events that occur in childhood (ages 0-17) that impact a person's brain development and can have a lasting effect on their mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing into adulthood. (From & following the United Way’s 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge Day 13: Adverse Childhood Experiences.)
Follow along on social media (Facebook & Instagram) to learn more and further engage with this month’s racial equity topic!
RESOURCES
Read and participate in Take the ACE Quiz - And Learn What It Does and Doesn’t Mean
Watch this TED Talk: How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime
Print and post these reminders in your home or workplace: Your Everyday Gestures Can Help A Child Heal
Carve out an hour of time to watch Resilience: The Biology of Stress & the Science of Hope, a highly acclaimed film
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
What were some of your biggest challenges growing up? How did you overcome them?
What is your ACE Score (see link in resources)? How have your childhood experiences your health and wellness as an adult?
How can you use the ACE research in your daily life? As a FPGROC volunteer? In your work or faith community?