All Choices Matter

Check out the events being hosted by WTT Bulldogs. The Bulldogs are advocates who believe in leading by example. The Bulldogs are working together to increase the number of virtual events available on nights and weekends to ensure people have more opportunities to connected, have fun, and make new friends.

Register here: https://wethrivetogether.org/upcoming-events/

The WTT Bulldog Motto

I am a Bulldog.

I will assist others in their efforts to become a highly motivated, well disciplined, physically and mentally fit individuals, capable of standing up themselves and for the rights of others.

I will advocate for myself, my family, my friends, and my community.

I will lead by example, never requiring a Bulldog to attempt any task I would not do myself.

I am a Bulldog.

Get Involved in Best Buddies!

Best Buddies creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Click the following link to join a program or volunteer.
https://www.bestbuddies.org/ohio/volunteer/

We Thrive Together is partnering with Best Buddies to make sure no one is isolated or lonely. We will reach this goal by collaborating with great organizations, hosting fun interactive events, connecting awesome people, and helping people make new friends. It's really that easy.

You are invited to stay connected, have fun, meet awesome people, and make new friends. Pass it on.

The wheelchair of the future, the ballbot The PURE ballbot wheelchair may be the future of mobility assistance.

We are launching an Advocacy Marketing program and need your help to figure out the details. Advocacy marketing is getting existing customers to share their positive experience with other people. It's worked for Tesla, Starbucks, Coca-Cola, Apple, and other top brands. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

How can we reward Advocates for spreading the word? Limited edition shirt, extra WTT Coins, private events, custom virtual backgrounds and zoom profile photos...

What is the best way to help Advocates spread the word? Business cards, social links, custom website links, featuring them in programming, giving them content to post on social or to send via email...

How much do you think WTT will grow int the next six months because of our Advocacy Marketing program? 10%, 30%, 75%, ...... 200% or more.

Check out our February programming calendar. Don't forget to share it with your friends!

https://wethrivetogether.org/upcoming-events/event-calendar/

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Cheers to an Awesome 2023!

You are invited... Check out all the awesome free virtual programming. Don't forget to invite a friend.

https://wethrivetogether.org/upcoming-events/event-calendar/

Sadly, bullying is on the rise in schools.

Being bullied or harassed? Here are some tips to protect yourself:

✅ Report immediately to a counselor, an administrator, or a trusted teacher.

✅ Record and document text messages or messages you are receiving.

✅ Make sure to report right away so you don't have to fight back- especially if there is zero- tolerance.

Each situation of bullying is unique and different.

Students have legal rights and can appeal to any suspension or expulsion.

Expulsion leaves a black mark on your record and could follow you throughout your schooling career.

Best advice? Report bullying immediately.

What usually happens when there is a report of bullying?

Typically, a mini-investigation will be performed on both sides. This is where text messages and social media posts could be examined.

Want to know more? Watch our video on Youth: Trauma: Bullying here - https://loom.ly/lpbVfHU

What are some of the consequences of bullying in schools?

1️⃣ In- school suspension
2️⃣ Out- of- school suspension
3️⃣ Recommendation for expulsion
Etc.

For more information- Check out our website and the video featuring an attorney from Albeit Weiker, LLP in Columbus, Ohio. This program was made possible in part by a grant from the Ohio State Bar Association.

Learn More: https://loom.ly/lpbVfHU

Youth Trauma: Bullying Youth Trauma: Bullying

What is a Zero-tolerance policy?

Some schools have policies and practices in place that have predetermined consequences.

This means, with bullying, all students will get in trouble no matter what.

The more you take care of yourself by having good nutrition and getting enough sleep, the better you are equipped to handle conflict-resolution.

For more information on how to handle conflict resolution visit our video: https://loom.ly/FdLw_wA

A crisis cycle is a series of behaviors a person goes through when experiencing an emotional and a behavior crisis.

The stages of a crisis cycle are:

1️⃣ Calm
2️⃣ Trigger
3️⃣ Agitation
4️⃣ Acceleration
5️⃣ Peak
6️⃣ De- Escalation
7️⃣ Recovery

A person usually is only at the peak stage of the cycle for about 10 minutes or so, then they start to de-escalate unless something triggers their emotions again.

Conflict can’t be resolved when we are at the peak of the conflict.

Why? Because we run away, fight back, or freeze.

It’s called fight-or-flight response.

The best thing to do when you are in an argument that gets heated is to step away so you can calm down and think clearly about the situation.

We all have different ways of communicating our feelings because of our different backgrounds, histories, cultures, etc.

It’s important to remember this because we don’t all handle things the same way.

It’s also important to remember to listen first, then talk second.

It’s human to disagree! We can’t all like the same exact things. We can’t all have the same views. Being different makes the world go ‘round! But, how do you deal when you can’t see eye-to-eye?

✅ Try to see the situation like they see it.

✅ Be open-minded.

✅ Set boundaries.

Conflicts are sometimes not easy to resolve. Especially when two people can’t see eye-to-eye or agree-to-disagree.

Listen to our Conflict Resolution Video Part 1 to understand conflict a little more.

Watch Now: https://loom.ly/nD6sj30

An important tool for conflict resolution is to make sure you’re taking care of yourself.

✅ Eat healthy foods and get proper nutrition.
✅ Drink at least 8 glasses of water each day.
✅ Get enough sleep.

These 3 things will help as well as making sure that you talk about the things that are bothering you in a healthy way. Don’t hold it all in. This leads to a possible future explosion which can be avoided.

The best thing to do when in a conflict or a heated argument is to step away to calm down and to take a break.

However, in this day and age that becomes really difficult to do because of:

● Social Media
● Texting
● Other phone apps

Conflicts arise because people want an immediate response. When a person doesn’t respond immediately, a downward spiral of worry and fear happens.

What’s best to do when a person messages you and you don’t want to talk with them at the moment is to tell them you need a 10-minute breather and will get back to them.