The Learning Center and Counseling Services at the New Hampshire Community College will be hosting several informational discussions on issues that plague many young people. Issues will range from building communication skills, to bullies, to just dealing with everyday life, something everyone can relate to. The workshops will be taking place throughout October, November, and December, with two sessions for each topic, one at noon, and the other beginning at 4 p.m.
October's topics include, "Communication: The Key To ... Everything!" which will focus on the importance of "I" and "you" messages. On October 14, "Respect: For oneself ... and for others" will discuss getting, earning, and giving respect, which is the basis for all healthy relationships. "Choices: The Freedom of Choices ... saying NO to bullies and pressure" will take place October 21, and focus on making good choices, including not becoming a victim. Guest speakers include Donna Cummings from RESPONSE, and Heidi Guinen from Northern NH Correctional Facility. The final October session is entitled, "Health and Well Being", and teaches how to balance time, money, stress, jobs, and sensory response (fight or flight). Kim Sias-Lombardi, from Northern NH Mental Health, will be the guest speaker.
The workshops have been organized by college staff members Kathy Sosny, Learning Center Director, and Emily Elliott, College Counselor. It is Sosny's second year at the college, but she has 30 years previous experience, including eight years of child psychology. Elliott has been with the college for 20 years, and has worn several different "hats", which include working in the financial aid department, the Division of Community Education, and counseling. She also is a volunteer for RESPONSE and participates on the citizen advisory board at the Northern New Hampshire Correctional Facility. Together they decided it was time discussions like this were made available not only to students at the college, but to anyone in the community.
The sessions are a positive approach to the problems that students face today, and not just students in the North Country, but students at all campuses. "Education is changing" said Kathy Sosny, who is a certified, state credentialed trainer. "This is a new way to give students the life skills they need."
The attendees are also given resources to help them cope with their problems. "We are here to help them identify resources," said Elliott. "We are showing the students that agencies from the community support them." The New Hampshire Correctional Facility is one of those agencies trying to work with the community as much as possible. Heidi Guinen from the correctional facility will be taking part in the session as a speaker.
Admission to the workshops is free for students of NHCTC and $10 for everyone else; pre-registration is appreciated. These discussions are perfect for several majors: Early Childhood Education, Nursing, Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Human Services. They are perfect training towards your career, and offer great experience for future employment. Attendees of the sessions will receive a certificate of attendance which will go towards professional development.
The two sessions will offer light snacks, but attendees are also encouraged to bring their own lunch. The noon session is perfect for people who want to participate but only have one hour during lunch, and the presenters are offering an afternoon session for students, or people who work mornings. For more information, please call Emily Elliott at 752-1113 ext 1050.
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