HILTON, N.Y. — For a lot of teenagers, school can feel overwhelming and full of pressure, anxiety and loneliness. There is a social club available in many public school districts to help students know that they do not have to face those struggles alone. The club is called Sources of Strength. Teens who participate are learning how to support one another and make more positive connections.
At first glance, it looks like just another after-school club. There are tables full of students chatting and working on projects. But, for students at Hilton High School who are involved in the club, it’s much more than that. They say it’s a place where they can learn how to support each other through difficult moments.
Emily Fernandez says joining Sources made her more open-minded and aware of others’ feelings.
“Obviously, I can’t always put myself in someone’s shoes when it comes to their mental health, but being able to listen to their problems and being able to talk about them and give them advice is something that I am good at, especially when it comes to being able to help people,” said Fernandez, a senior at Hilton High School.
A simple game of catch in the classroom is a chance to focus on the positive.
“Whatever color of the ball your thumbs land on, that’s what we talk about,” said Madelyn Seeley, a senior at Hilton. “We try to uplift everyone by focusing on all our strengths on the color wheel, and we just put a positive perspective on everything.”
Cooper Streb says he joined Sources as a freshman and now, as a senior, says it has taught him how to be a better friend.
“Sources is really all about how learning how to be there for someone who really needs it and trying to help them get better and be happy overall,” said Streb.
To finish the school year, the students are inviting the community to a special community event Saturday from 10 a.m.-noon at the Village Community Center on Henry Street to celebrate hope, connection and resilience. Northwest Cares Day includes a 5K, vendors, food trucks, therapy dogs and more.
“This is to remind every single person in this community that we can all come together and that every single person has a person. Every single person has someone that they can rely on, that they can come to when they need something and need help. They are not alone, ever,” said Delilah Gilmore-Tep, a junior at Hilton.
