Resources for Resilience, Author at Resources For Resilience

Local Leader Spotlight: Cultivating Resilience With Ann DuPre Rogers, LCSW

by Resources for Resilience | April 7, 2026 | Conversations In Resilience, Resources for Resilience

Western North Carolina is home to countless leaders who strengthen the wellbeing of our communities, especially in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Among them is Licensed Clinical Social Worker Ann DuPre Rogers, whose career sits at the intersection of mental health advocacy, community education, and trauma‑informed care.

As the Executive Director of Resources For Resilience, Rogers is not your typical nonprofit leader. Her staff describe her as supportive, loving, and grounded — and also someone who doesn’t take herself too seriously, as evidenced by the growing collection of photos of her in playful costumes.

“Ann DuPre is so fun and easy to be around that it’s easy to forget what a big deal she is! She’s unfailingly kind and generous but has the steely determination required to actually get things done. This organization reflects her beautiful values and commitment,” one team member shares.

A Lifelong Commitment to Community Wellbeing

For nearly three decades, Rogers has served Western North Carolina in roles spanning school social work, child and family therapy, clinical supervision, program administration, provider relations, and community outreach. Each chapter deepened her understanding of the challenges families face and the systems meant to support them.

Her path began long before she stepped into leadership. After earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Davidson College and a master’s in social work from the University of Georgia, she spent years in community mental health beginning in the mid‑1990s. Those early experiences, she says, revealed how profoundly people can grow when they feel safe, supported, and connected.

Rogers’ impact extends far beyond administrative leadership. As a former yoga instructor, outdoor education facilitator, and Mental Health First Aid trainer, she brings a unique mind–body lens to her work. For years, she has taught the science of stress, trauma, and resilience to audiences across WNC — helping providers, educators, first responders, and community leaders navigate stress and restore balance.

Her approach ensures that more people across the region can access high‑quality behavioral health support grounded in both research and compassion.

A Collective of Women Leading Change in WNC

In 2017, Rogers joined a collective of women working in public health:

Mary Lynn Barrett, LCSW
Susanne Walker Wilson, LCSW
Stephanie Citron, PhD
Ginger Clough, MPH
Katie Roberts, LCSW
Rev. Beth Turner, CPE

Inspired by leaders such as Elaine Miller‑Karas, Deb Dana, Babette Rothschild, Brené Brown, Judith Herman, and Pat Ogden, they united around a shared mission: help people not just survive adversity, but thrive through it.

They understood the research on adverse childhood experiences and somatic experiencing — how trauma lives in the body — and saw the need for accessible tools that could support healing across generations.

The Evolution of RFR, from Global Humanitarian Work to Local Resilience Building

The group initially focused on global humanitarian efforts, supporting communities affected by natural disasters, genocide, and crisis. But they soon recognized that these same tools were urgently needed at home, especially among people facing intergenerational trauma and systemic oppression.

Inspired by the Trauma Resource Institute’s Community Resiliency Model (CRM), they began developing their own core curriculum. Over time, their single community presentation, ‘Reconnect for Resilience’™, evolved into a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering practical, research‑based tools across North Carolina.

In the early days, Resources For Resilience operated with only a few part‑time staff and a dedicated board working to meet the growing demand for public health education.

Today, the organization’s all‑female team has tripled in size and is led by one of its original founders — the remarkable Ann DuPre Rogers. RFR now offers more than ten different trainings, workshops, and sessions, each tailored to specific audiences and needs.

The organization delivers hundreds of events each year, prioritizing underserved communities, first responders, and groups most impacted by stress and trauma. RFR’s tools are used in schools, government agencies, healthcare settings, and even internationally.

Supporting WNC Through Hurricane Helene

In 2024 and 2025, RFR played a pivotal role in the region’s recovery from Hurricane Helene, providing hundreds of hours of acute crisis response and trauma‑informed programming for communities impacted by extreme weather.

Rogers notes that the effects of Helene are still deeply felt:

“For many in Western North Carolina, new storms and emergency weather alerts still stir anxiety or fear, even 18 months later. That’s because our nervous system remembers.”

She emphasizes that recovery has no universal timeline. “Every individual and family has unique circumstances that determine how long it takes them to feel settled again. Simple practices like grounding, gentle movement, recalling moments of safety, connecting with others, and reaching out for support can help the body and brain find balance again.”

In June 2026, Resources for Resilience wrapped up a major multi-million dollar project partnership with The NC Department of Health & Human Services, Vaya Health, and the Governor’s Recovery Office of Western North Carolina. This powerful regional collaboration has allowed RFR to serve thousands of WNC residents with free, trauma‑informed programming to help build inner steadiness while strengthening community connection.

Building a More Resilient Western North Carolina

What keeps Rogers inspired is simple: witnessing transformation. She describes nervous system regulation skills as “immediately, powerfully, and universally helpful,” and she uses them herself every day. Whether guiding a roomful of professionals or supporting an individual, she sees firsthand how useful the tools can be.

In a region facing both longstanding and emerging challenges — from rural healthcare access to the lingering impacts of Helene — Rogers’ work offers something essential: practical tools, shared with compassion, that help people feel more capable, more connected, and more whole.

“#WNCStrong is not just a catchy phrase,” she says. “It really is the foundation of who we are.”

Feet Firmly Planted: A Conversation with Ashley Putnam

by Resources for Resilience | March 23, 2026 | Conversations In Resilience, Resources for Resilience

Conversations in Resilience is a storytelling series from Resources for Resilience, created to elevate the voices of the people doing this work every day.

I’m Ashley Putnam and as the Director of Partnerships and Programs at Resources for Resilience, I focus on building relationships and making sure the people we work with have a meaningful experience in our trainings.

I live in Weaverville, North Carolina, in Buncombe County. I grew up here. My dad graduated from North Buncombe. I graduated from North Buncombe. My oldest son graduated from North Buncombe.

Western North Carolina isn’t one thing. Buncombe County stretches from Asheville into smaller, more rural communities. There’s agriculture. There’s farming. There are mountains and hollers and rivers. Many of us are natives. We’re tied to this place in a way that runs deep.

We take care of our people. And by that, I mean the people of these mountains. It’s how we live. In community.

Rethinking Resilience

Being from here shapes how I understand resilience.

It’s about staying close to people. Listening. Paying attention to what’s happening in a room. Noticing what’s happening in a body. That’s what this work teaches.

Resources for Resilience helps people understand their nervous systems — how stress shows up physically, emotionally, relationally — and what simple tools can help them regulate. That it’s practical and usable right now.

Sometimes that’s in a training room. Sometimes it’s in a school or a fire department. Sometimes it’s just a conversation where someone realizes, “Oh! That’s why I reacted the way I did!”

When people understand their nervous system, they gain choice. They can respond instead versus react. They can stay connected instead of shutting down. That’s everyday resilience.

There’s a moment I think about often.

Immediately following Hurricane Helene, I was standing next to a woman at a donation center, helping where I could. It felt really good to stand there with my feet on the ground.

I couldn’t fix the reality of what was happening. I didn’t have equipment. I wasn’t clearing debris. But I could stay present. I could stand with people in line with people and ground and talk.

It was loud and emotional. And a woman next to me was overwhelmed and crying. So I asked her what was helping her through right then. We talked about small highlights in the day. I could see her breathing shift. Her shoulders soften. Nothing dramatic happened. The situation didn’t disappear. But her nervous system settled enough for her to move into the next moment.

That’s the work.

I remember one woman who was panicking because she couldn’t reach someone she needed to reach. When I asked what was helping her through, she said her faith. She said she kept humming Amazing Grace. So I asked if I could sing it with her. We stood outside that donation center and sang. We used Rapid Resets. We tapped. You could see some real de-escalation. That is nervous system awareness in practice.

It doesn’t fix the storm. It helps someone settle enough to stay present inside it.

Rooted, Yet Expansive

Being from here shapes how I show up in this work. For a long time, I felt that subtle pressure to soften parts of who I am — my accent, my stories, the way this region is sometimes misunderstood. After Helene, I felt something different. Pride. Clarity.

It made me even more committed to bringing this work into areas we haven’t reached before. In classrooms. In community spaces. In disaster response. In everyday conversations. Resilience isn’t just for the moment things fall apart. It’s for how we live together every day.

If I could wish anything, it would be that anyone with a nervous system would step into one of our offerings and experience it for themselves. When people understand how our bodies respond to stress, it changes how they show up for themselves and for others.

And here in western North Carolina, we know something simple and steady:

We have each other.

Editorial Stewardship
Sarah Staley is a senior communications leader who partners with mission-driven organizations to turn complexity into clarity and amplify the voices at the heart of the work.

10 Actionable Ways To Be A ‘Resiliency Steward’

by Resources for Resilience | March 5, 2026 | Resources for Resilience

Thank you for being here! Thank you for being a valuable member of our network, a trusted guardian of this work, and a key enabler to the longevity of our organization.

Believe it or not, YOU are our greatest ally in helping us get the word out about our mission and programming. YOU have the power to make a difference in our future by sparking new connections that wouldn’t happen otherwise.

Being a “Resiliency Steward” means taking tangible actions that amplify RFR’s longterm impact and visibility. Through personal advocacy, community engagement, and organizational support you can help us make an ever greater impact.

Below are some practical ways to continue to support us at home, at work, and in your community. These tiny efforts go a long way in helping us secure funding and sustain our vision for the longterm.

A Resiliency Steward helps our organization grow and remain responsive, strong, and sustainable for the long-term.

Follow Our Content

Make sure you’re following us on all of social platforms:

We also have a new email newsletter full of our latest updates and happenings. Join our list as a subscriber , and invite others to do the same!

Amplify Our Content

One of the most impactful ways to get the word out about Resources For Resilience and all of the amazing programs that we’re doing is through the use of social media.

People use these platforms daily to get useful information and insights about what their friends like/share. When your audience sees that we matter to you, they’re more likely to care too.

Every small bit of engagement helps expand our reach and visibility to new audiences, as well as helps us stay top‑of‑mind for participants who are on the fence about attending.

SHARE our posts on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
COMMENT on our posts on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
FORWARD our email newsletters.
RSVP to our Events on Facebook
SUBMIT our events to community calendars

Attend Our Events

Check out our events calendar to see which training and workshops you can make it to.

Add our recurring weekly Listening Circles to your personal calendar and drop in whenever you are having a hard week.

Remember, first-time attendance can be intimidating, so consider inviting others to attend an event or workshop with you for the first time! What can you learn and discover together?

Champion Our Mission

Share our purpose, stories, and impact when it naturally fits into in-person conversations, or on online forums. People respond to authentic enthusiasm, and your credibility helps build trust.

Not everyone understands what “nervous system regulation” means. Strive to use simple, everyday language when talking about what we do. . Key words that almost anyone understands: stress, burnout, inner strength, challenges, hard times.

Expand Our Network

Warm introductions and personal relationships often open doors that formal outreach can’t.

Connect us with schools, nonprofits, or local businesses for potential partnership or training opportunities.

Model Our Tools

Use our tools daily and demonstrate their usefulness to others. Live by example by acting with integrity, empathy, and accountability.

Capture Authentic Stories

It’s important for us, and our funders, to see and hear what you and our participants are experiencing and learning during our programming. Our marketing team can’t be everywhere at once, so oftentimes we rely on YOU to be our eyes and ears out “in the field.”

Help us gather uplifting quotes, and feel-good photos or videos from RFR trainings and events – with participant consent, of course. We always want to remain sensitive and respectful when sharing participant stories.

We welcome testimonials and stories in a variety of formats to suit your comfort:

Leave us a public review on our Google or Facebook page.
Share your written story in a private email to us.
Share your story in a recorded video that we may feature on our social channels.

We also want to know when something isn’t going well. Valuable feedback from our participants and partners helps us stay responsive to the needs of the communities we serve!

Support our Funding

If you have financial resources to share, please consider a tax-deductable donation to RFR. Every dollar counts and helps ensure our longterm sustainability, staffing, and service.

We also value when you can sharing our content with potential donors, volunteers, or connected community leaders, inviting others to give.

If you have insight on relevant grants or other funding opportunities, please pass them along as well!

Volunteer Your Skills

What are you good at? We’re always looking for hands-on help with marketing, events, and other professional expertise.

Become A Resiliency Champion or Ambassador

We’re always looking for new facilitators, educators, and trainers, especially in underserved areas. Your presence helps us build recognition and trust in new spaces. Every session and event, whether its a large conference, or small community gathering, helps expand our reach and impact.

Join our network of trained resiliency educators by becoming a Resliency Champion or Ambassador!

—

THANK YOU for being a part of our legacy of community resilience!

“It Takes a Village”

A movement can only grow when many people share the vision, as well as the ownership and execution. No single person, team, or organization can do it all. It takes collective effort and a myriad of relationships and resources to build long‑term success.

We are grateful to so many who make this work possible:

The volunteers who add capacity
The donors who fuel stability
The partners who expand reach
The ambassadors who build awareness
The community members whose lived experience guide our story.

When many voices are involved and responsibility is shared, then we become more resilient as an organization.

Thank you for carrying the RFR mission with care, intention, and integrity. Your ongoing commitment and everyday actions help protect and sustain what we stand for, honoring both our present needs, and our future possibilities.

Social Workers: The Glue Holding Our Communities Together

by Resources for Resilience | March 4, 2026 | Resources for Resilience

March is National Social Work Month, and the this year’s theme is ‘UPLIFT. DEFEND. TRANSFORM.’

With over 810,000 social workers across the U.S., it is one of the fastest‑growing professions and plays a vital role in supporting our nation’s schools, hospitals, child care centers, civil services, community centers, and beyond.

We are unbelievably proud of the LCSWs on our own team, and in the communities we serve. This post is an ode to them!

When Words are Not Enough

Social workers hold communities together in ways that are often quiet, often unseen, and almost always transformative. Social workers, we can’t say it enough: THANK YOU for your dedication, service, and impact! Your work is needed now more than ever!

We are grateful to you for…

Teaching us how consistent compassion, advocacy, and presence can help people feel seen, heard, and valued.
Supporting individuals of all walks of life as they navigate daily hardship and move toward healing and possibility.
Ensuring people find hope amidst on-going challenges in their homes, neighborhoods, and globally
Helping people find resources they didn’t know existed and rights they didn’t know they had.
Seeing the humanity in people long before those people can see it in themselves.
Holding institutions and systems accountable and advocating for change
Stepping into the hardest moments of other’s lives
Reminding us that care and compassion are a responsibility.
Showing us what resilience looks like every day.

“I have so much appreciation for the social workers in my life. Not only for those who have personally helped me along my way, but to the amazing ones I get to work beside every day as we work to make resilience a reality for folks all across NC!”

Cat Parker, RFR’s Program Development Director

A Steady Presence in the Storm

Social workers walk into situations of crisis, chaos, and uncertainty that most people would run from. Whether its in a home, a hospital, a courtroom, a school, or a shelter – these profesionals are trained to sit with people in the rawest chapters of their lives and offer something deceptively simple: a steady presence. Not because they have all the answers, but because they refuse to look away.

Social workers are the ones who say, “You don’t have to go through this alone,” and mean it.

System Navigators

Behind every client and case there is a maze of complex paperwork, policies, and systems that social workers learn to navigate with both precision and heart. Their work is part detective, part strategist, part clerical, and part advocate.

Story Holders

Social workers carry endless stories of grief, resilience, injustice, survival, and transformation. They hold these stories with tenderness and confidentiality, knowing that trust is a sacred exchange. They witness the worst and still believe in the best.

This is emotional labor of the highest order.

Resilience Builders

Whether they’re supporting a child in foster care, a family navigating homelessness, a survivor rebuilding after trauma, or a community recovering from disaster, social workers help people reconnect with their own strength.

They don’t “fix” people—they help people remember their capacity, their dignity, their agency, one relationship at a time.

Justice Champions

At its core, social work is a profession rooted in justice. Social workers challenge inequity not just in individual cases, but in the systems and institutions that shape people’s lives. They speak up when silence would be easier, always pushing for policies that protect the vulnerable and reduce harm. This advocacy ripples far beyond the people they serve directly.

Social workers show up—day after day, year after year—carrying hope into places where hope has been worn thin.

The Quiet Heroes

Social work is a calling, and no one does it for recognition. They do it because they believe in people, in humanity, and in the possibility of change. Our communities are stronger because of them.

Social workers deserve more than gratitude—they deserve support, investment, and a culture that recognizes the importance of their contribution.

Burnout Prevention

Social workers are prone to burn out often because the systems around them are overextended.

emotional labor and compassion fatigue
rising caseloads
staffing shortages
heavy documentation demands
limited compensation
the moral distress of knowing what clients need but not having the resources to provide it.

These complexities and pressures can erode even the strongest professionals.

In the future, if we want to see social worker retention, better outcomes, and healthier communities, we need people-first work culture that includes sustainable caseloads, competitive pay and trauma‑informed leadership. We also need greater mental‑health support.

That’s where we come in!

Social workers are the backbone of our systems. Protecting them is mission‑critical.

Support for Those Who Serve

Social workers show incredible strength and resilience just by showing up to work every day. But even the strongest individuals and teams need ways to reset, recharge, and reconnect.

The free tools and trainings provided by Resources For Resilience are designed to help social workers and other fronline workers move more efficiently and consistently from “survival mode” into their personal Resilience Zone of clarity, calm and connection.

Regulate stress in real time using simple, body-based techniques
Build emotional stamina through connection and co-regulation
Strengthen teams and communities with shared language and support
Prevent burnout by integrating practical self-care into daily routines

The tools we teach aren’t complicated. They’re incredibly simple, accessible, and most importantly – scientifically proven to help people of all walks of life strengthen their capacity and continue doing what they love.

If you’re a social worker—or someone who supports them, remember that you don’t have to carry it all alone. Support is available, and resilience is teachable.

Want to learn more?

Practical Tools For Finding Steadiness and Strength in Turbulent Times

by Resources for Resilience | February 13, 2026 | Current Events, Resources for Resilience

In the previous post, we learned about how and why the news cycle and current events can affect our nervous systems. Now, we’ll share practical ways to help you help you reduce overwhelm and stay steady in the midst of ongoing headlines.

Through simple somatic tools and mindfulness practices, you can protect mind, body, and spirit and from there, even your family and community. The best part: All of these techniques are completely FREE and accessible to anyone, anywhere.

The goal isn’t to stop caring or to tune out completely. The goal is to stay regulated enough to think clearly and respond intentionally.

Connect

Humans are wired for connection, not isolation. Safe, supportive relationships are one of the most powerful antidotes to chronic stress and trauma. This includes friends, family, neighbors, coworkers — and yes, pets count, too! It can also help to connect with people who make you feel understood and supported.

Research shows that we regulate best with others. After taking in distressing headlines, being present with a calm and trusted person helps your nervous system receive a crucial message: “You’re not alone. You’re safe right now.”Comforting conversation, shared breathing, gentle touch, or simply sitting together can help systems synchronize and soften.

Sense In

Even in fear, grief, and uncertainty, subtle sensations of safety and strength still exist within us.

Bring attention inward. Slowly scan your body from feet to head and notice where you feel most neutral or at ease — even slightly. Observing sensations without judgment interrupts stress spirals and brings the thinking brain back online.

The warmth of your clothing
The firmness of the ground beneath your feet
A memory of being connected or cared for

These moments of awareness awaken our inner resources (our human-ness, our dignity, courage, love)— that difficult circumstances cannot erase. When we begin to notice “what else is true” with our thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations are all connected, we can better understand the rhythms of our nervous system and learn how to gently guide it back to steadiness.

Reduce Exposure

Staying informed matters, but constant exposure can increase anxiety. If you feel anxious, heavy, numb, or dysregulated after consuming the news, that’s a sign it may be time to set a boundary.

One powerful shift is READING the news instead of watching or listening to it. When you read, you remove the added intensity of audio and visual elements, and the gentle, rhythmic eye movements can also help the nervous system settle.

You still receive the information, but your nervous system isn’t pulled into as much urgency or panic when you can process them in your own internal voice.

Another strategy is to choose intentional check-in times to “doomscroll” instead of continuous consumption throughout the day.

A recent study published by the American Medical Association found that a one‑week social media detox significantly reduced anxiety, depression, and insomnia in young adults – suggesting that suggests that even short breaks can meaningfully support emotional regulation.

Look for the Helpers

Consider balancing your media consumption with a mix of informative news, as well as positive, uplifting, and heart-warming messages too! This is not about ignoring difficult realities, but creating BALANCE in the type of content you’re consuming.

If you’re only being exposed to distressing headlines, your nervous system will continue to exist in a heightened state of mistrust and self-protection. Stories and images of kindness, compassion, nature, and human resilience remind us that there is still so much good in the world.

You can also find joy and hope in humanity by visiting art museums, seeing live music, theatre, or simply watching people interact at the park, at restaurants, and other third spaces where people gather.

‘Bloomscrolling’: The intentional practice of scrolling for what uplifts or furthers growth, learning, connection, or creativity. (i.e the antonym of ‘doomscrolling’)

“Name It to Tame It”

Most people care deeply, however they simply don’t have the tools or support to stay present with difficult or unpleasant emotions.

For some with an already overloaded nervous system, it feels safer to “dissociate”, check out, or look away from the problems around them.

To move through these difficult chapters with compassion, we can acknowledge our collective suffering and admit that things are not going well. Naming your experience as physiological reduces internal shame and helps the brain process what’s happening.

Remember that two things can be true at once: You can care deeply AND still protect your mental health.

Practice Self-Care

Sleep, nourishment, play, rest, and routine help signal safety to the nervous system, even when the world feels unstable. Calming “analog” hobbies and activities like reading, drawing, coloring, crochet, knitting, or playing a board game can help give your brain a break and establish a sense of quiet normalcy.

Take Action

Anger and frustration are often stigmatized as “negative’ or “destructive” emotions, but they can also be powerful motivators for change.

These heightened emotions are a signal that something matters, something hurts, or something needs to be addressed or improved. This can give people the energy to set boundaries, speak up, or take action in situations where they might otherwise stay silent. When anger and frustration and acknowledged and channeled with intention, they become a source of clarity, action, and protection.

Acts that could be considered include calling local representatives, making a charitable donation, volunteering your time or skills, or attending a community meeting or educational training.

“We are getting so much passive information and we have so few opportunities to act. We are tired then, not from doing too much, but from doing too little. The more time you spend doing something, the less exhausted you are by the onslaught of information that tries to convince you that the only thing you can do is watch what is happening to you.”

Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom

Reset The Body

Our signature ‘Rapid Resets” are quick, simple body-based tools to remind the nervous system of safety.

Ground: Sit, stand, or lie on something solid. Feel the sturdiness and support beneath you — the chair, the floor, the wall. What kind of work is gravity doing for you?
Orient: Slowly look around your environment. Notice shapes, colors, sounds, light, or movement. Turning your head and scanning your surroundings signals to the brain that this moment is different from the threat you’re witnessing on a screen.
Take a Sip: Drinking something— especially warm or cold liquids — engages multiple sensory pathways. Notice the temperature, weight, and sensation of swallowing to anchor yourself in the present.
Sing or Hum: Vocalization stimulates the vagus nerve, helping calm the nervous system. Humming, singing, or making a steady sound (even quietly) can be surprisingly regulating.
Tap Side-to-Side: The “Butterfly Hug” uses gentle bilateral stimulation. Cross your arms and alternate tapping left and right at a pace that feels soothing.
Take a Walk: Movement helps discharge stress. Pay attention to your steps, your breathing, and the rhythm of your body moving through space. Bonus if you can let the sun hit your face, and touch grass- literally.
Do Heavy Work: Engaging large muscles — pushing, lifting, sweeping, gardening, cleaning — helps release stored stress and restore a sense of strength and agency.
Push Against a Wall: Using your body’s strength to push against something solid can help release excess energy and create a felt sense of stability.

Reminder: You don’t need to use every tool, every time. Even one or two can gently shift how your body responds during stressful moments — especially after reading, watching, or scrolling through difficult news.

“When people cultivate inner harmony, they radiate steadiness to those around them. Even one person’s calm presence can soothe and reassure; this presence can become an anchor for a community.”

Elaine Miller-Karas

Why These Tools Work

All of these practices regulate the nervous system — the foundation of how we think, feel, and respond to stress.

With consistent use, these tools:

Shorten recovery time after stress
Reduce the intensity of trauma responses
Build confidence in navigating future stress
Strengthen long-term resilience

In other words, when the regulation process is repeated and practiced regularly, regulation can occur easier and faster over time, and that ripple eventually extends out to those around you.

Your steadiness has the power to influence the people around you. We can learn, heal, and recalibrate together as one.