By Matt Mackinder
Clarkston News Editor

INDEPENDENCE TWP. — Clarkston Area Youth Assistance is offering a free three-part seminar series on resilience for the community.
Diana Jennings, MS, LLP, will lead the seminars.
The first event, “Raising Resilient Kids and Teens” (for parents) is planned for tomorrow, Dec. 7, from 6-8 p.m. at the Clarkston Community Schools Administration Building, 6389 Clarkston Road. The event will also be recorded and posted online by Independence TV for those who are unable to attend the event.
For those who do attend, one family will be the lucky winner of a basket full of resilience-building items, such as a book recommended by the speaker, family journal, conversation cards, games, among other items.
The second event is Feb. 1, 2024, and is “Helping Kids and Teens Handle Stress” (for kids/teens and parents). The final seminar is set for April 11, 2024 and is entitled “Rising From Challenges” (for kids/teens and parents). Both those events will also take place from 6-8 p.m. at the CCS Administration Building.
Jennings has worked in a variety of settings, including outpatient counseling and community mental health. She works with children, adolescents, and adults, treating a wide range of psychological issues. She especially enjoys helping children, adolescents, and their families work together to solve their problems and often utilizes a collaborative problem-solving approach with her families, which has been successful, especially with children who have explosive and noncompliant behaviors.
A graduate of both the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University, Jennings believes in helping children find their individual strengths so they can reach their highest potential.
CAYA is a volunteer-driven, 501(c) (3) nonprofit community organization committed to strengthening youth and families, as well as preventing and reducing juvenile delinquency, child neglect, and child abuse through community involvement.
Volunteers work with professional staff to plan and sponsor enriching programs for young people and families in Clarkston.
CAYA’s programs are committed to positively impacting the long-term growth and development of all youth in the community through prevention, education, support, and celebration.
To register for any of the seminars, visit https://tinyurl.com/kwud7mh6.
For more information, email caya@clarkston.k12.mi.us or call 248-623-4313.