Unleashing Hope: Transforming Norms with the Science of the Positive - Virtual Workshop

Revolutionize your approach to prevention work by infusing it with hope! Practice integrating hope into your communications to increase engagement, correct misperceptions of norms, and reduce stigma. Discover how the Positive Community Norms approach to prevention can be used to build hope and grow healthy norms across a wide range of health and safety issues.

Nick Adams is a grant, coalition, and youth coordinator in Grand Rapids Minnesota. In his role as a trainer with The Montana Institute, he helps others apply the Science of the Positive framework in their work and communities. In spending his life learning, listening and leading, Nick finds what's needed to create a spark, drive conversation and discover successful practices. Nick has coached high school sports, climbed in the Alps and scoured the banks of many trout streams. He enjoys moments right before the sun comes up, high-fiving and hearing excitement in people's voices. He holds a BA in Writing and Humanities from Bemidji State University

Heather Schjenken has been serving the youth of her community for 20 years as a teacher, coach, and ministry leader.  As the prevention coordinator in Deer River, Minnesota, she helped usher in a remarkable community transformation. Using the Positive Community Norms (PCN) approach to prevention, Deer River measured a 50% reduction in rates of underage drinking in just five years. As a PCN trainer and educator for The Montana Institute, Heather now coaches other leaders on how to apply the PCN framework with rigor and fidelity. Her passion is to help foster healthy communities so all young people have the opportunity to thrive.