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| Teenagers make use of Princeton Public Library‘s Wi-Fi and electrical outlets in New Jersey on October 31 in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. School Library Journal Nov. 3, 2012 |
Accounts
of loss, resourcefulness, courage and despair emerge from the
wreckage of Hurricane Sandy each day. Included are stories
involving teenagers who lost their lives, those who were able to
survive due to a combination of luck, wit and instinct, those who are
now part of the effort to bring aid and comfort to others, and the
resilient who cope with normalizing their lives under challenging
circumstances. Today, an article describing the horrific
combination of this natural disaster and poverty, mentions an 18 year
old girl who climbs 10 flights of stairs to check on her stranded,
physically disabled godmother .
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/03/nyregion/in-public-housing-after-hurricane-sandy-fear-misery-and-heroism.html
The Daily News reports on an injured woman in Staten Island grieving
the loss of her 13 year old daughter,
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/si-family-robbed-irene-suffers-tragedy-sandy-article
while another is relieved that her son was able to escape from their
home as it filled with water and swim to safety
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/teen-sandy-survival-tale-separated-family-article
Teens in the less severely affected area of Princeton, NJ make do
with crowding into the library for power, heat and internet as they
strive to keep focused on daily pressures like homework and the SATs
that are scheduled for today.
Teens, deeply affected by the plight of the hurricane’s victims, are part of the volunteer effort to provide aid. After a disaster, it is important for teens to have opportunities to feel empowered again. They can choose a project that speaks to them. Animal lovers can contact the ASPCA www.aspca.org or Humane Society www.humanesociety.org. Localities are required to have a emergency plan in place for animals. Check on the senior citizens in your community. They may have power and food, but might be isolated because of travel and communication difficulties and in need of company. Contact the Red Cross, your house of worship, or local charity organization to find out where food and clothing are needed and deliver it. Helping out can be as easy as texting, something teens are adept at. Verizon announced it would match customer text-to-donate contributions to American Red Cross relief efforts up to one million dollars. Verizon Customers can make a $10 donation by texting REDCROSS to 90999. AT&T is working with the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the American Humane Society. AT&T has waived fees for customers to text a $10 donation to any of the organizations by texting the following: REDCROSS to 90999 to support the American Red Cross, STORM to 80888 to help the Salvation Army, and HUMANE to 80888 to give to the American Humane Society. Facebook is another user friendly way teens can donate. The Humane Society of the United States has a big effort underway in New York and New Jersey. Donations can be made via their facebook page.
Parents, you can contribute to helping your teen regain their sense of well being by taking care of your own. We are still our teenagers primary role models and how we cope with adversity provides them with a guideline for how they can rise above difficulty. Rather than stuff down fear and grief, show your children how to express it. They will learn that facing ones fears is courageous, not weak and allows one to move forward. And if you go out to volunteer, invite your teen along! This is a time of strong emotions which means there's a need for strong connection.
Teens, deeply affected by the plight of the hurricane’s victims, are part of the volunteer effort to provide aid. After a disaster, it is important for teens to have opportunities to feel empowered again. They can choose a project that speaks to them. Animal lovers can contact the ASPCA www.aspca.org or Humane Society www.humanesociety.org. Localities are required to have a emergency plan in place for animals. Check on the senior citizens in your community. They may have power and food, but might be isolated because of travel and communication difficulties and in need of company. Contact the Red Cross, your house of worship, or local charity organization to find out where food and clothing are needed and deliver it. Helping out can be as easy as texting, something teens are adept at. Verizon announced it would match customer text-to-donate contributions to American Red Cross relief efforts up to one million dollars. Verizon Customers can make a $10 donation by texting REDCROSS to 90999. AT&T is working with the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the American Humane Society. AT&T has waived fees for customers to text a $10 donation to any of the organizations by texting the following: REDCROSS to 90999 to support the American Red Cross, STORM to 80888 to help the Salvation Army, and HUMANE to 80888 to give to the American Humane Society. Facebook is another user friendly way teens can donate. The Humane Society of the United States has a big effort underway in New York and New Jersey. Donations can be made via their facebook page.
Parents, you can contribute to helping your teen regain their sense of well being by taking care of your own. We are still our teenagers primary role models and how we cope with adversity provides them with a guideline for how they can rise above difficulty. Rather than stuff down fear and grief, show your children how to express it. They will learn that facing ones fears is courageous, not weak and allows one to move forward. And if you go out to volunteer, invite your teen along! This is a time of strong emotions which means there's a need for strong connection.
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