Creating thriving communities in Allamakee County
“Every person has their own passions and skills. What we have in common is that when we share our gifts with those within our reach, we change lives for the better,” said Waukon native Dr. Mollie Marti, a psychologist who has shared many of her own talents with her hometown. “The ways that you can give back to your own community are unlimited.”
Dr. Marti founded and directs the National Resilience Institute (NRI), a nonprofit organization that grew out of a community resiliency project she started in Mount Vernon after the loss of young lives to suicide in 2010 and 2011.
“This tragic loss of life laid itself on my heart,” Marti recalled. “I thought, in what kind of world is it okay to lose children — or any community members — in this way?” Guided by an innate desire to help, Marti found her way back to Waukon — where suicide has also touched the community.
Dr. Marti joined the advisory board of the Matt Howe Tribute Fund, an endowment held by the Allamakee County Community Foundation, which works closely with local schools to support programs that help youth cope with loss, abuse, or brain health issues. A natural next step was bringing NRI’s THRIVE Resilience Model to Waukon schools. The model includes six capacity-builders: Trusted adults, high expectations, resilience building, involvement, vision and enrichment.
The Community Foundation’s focus on brain health is congruent with the THRIVE Resilience Model, a framework Dr. Marti developed to communicate critical factors in helping individuals succeed. Assisted by the Allamakee County Community Foundation and other partners, the district secured funding for its wellness team to join NRI’s THRIVE School Program, which provides monthly education sessions, resilience resources, and support from a THRIVE Coordinator. NRI and Dr. Marti chose to donate additional training and travel costs.
The district is creating a culture infused with reminders to students that they matter: Their safety is prioritized, they’re supported in pursuing their interests, and the community needs their unique contributions. “From both my research and years of field work, I have seen how this process not only strengthens lives,” said Dr. Marti. “It can save lives,”
Like Dr. Marti, the Community Foundation uses research as a guide and leverages untapped resources in our county to make it a place for all to thrive. To share your gift and improve Allamakee County for future generations, contact Betty Steege.