The Resilient Families Project: Promoting Resilience, Mindfulness and Belonging through Community Engagement and Interactive Reading in At-Risk Adults

Authors

Sydney Higdon, University of LouisvilleFollow
Dillon Hepler, University of LouisvilleFollow
Lora D. Haynes, Ph.D., University of LouisvilleFollow
Angela Ely, B.A., University of LouisvilleFollow

Program/Event

Undergraduate Arts and Research Showcase 2025

Abstract

Founded in 2011, the University of Louisville’s Resilient Families Project (RFP) is a community-engaged initiative that promotes evidence-based habits of resilience, mindfulness, and happiness among adults experiencing homelessness and/or in the addiction recovery program at Wayside Christian Mission (WCM). Through weekly trauma-informed sessions, RFP aims to strengthen such things as a sense of family/community, emotional awareness, positive coping strategies and a growth mindset.

This presentation highlights RFP’s current curriculum, centered around our six core values and integrated content from select storybooks, to support healthy attachment relations, interactive reading, and a sense of purpose and belonging.

The current authors also describe weekly surveys (completed by team members and participants alike) which are used to conduct ongoing program assessment and evaluation. Both qualitative and quantitative data from these surveys offer insight on the impact of RFP sessions. Survey items include questions regarding individuals’ feelings (pre- and post-program) and overall program ratings, as well as open-ended questions regarding aspects of the program they liked best, and what they wish for in upcoming meetings.

In addition to our regular programming, RFP works to expand access to books through stewardship of five (5) Little Free Libraries (LFLs) across Louisville. We proudly celebrate the first LFL established on UofL’s campus and are excited to introduce our newest UofL LFL initiative: a DEI-focused Little Free Library housed in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences.

Finally, current project needs, recruitment efforts, and directions for the future will be described.

Recommended Citation

Higdon, Sydney; Hepler, Dillon; Haynes,, Lora D. Ph.D.; and Ely,, Angela B.A. (2025) "The Resilient Families Project: Promoting Resilience, Mindfulness and Belonging through Community Engagement and Interactive Reading in At-Risk Adults," The Cardinal Edge: Vol. 3: Iss. 2, Article 4.
Available at: https://ir.library.louisville.edu/tce/vol3/iss2/4