Page 12 - CSI Exemplar Summer 2019_PDF

Summer 2019 Summer 2019

important they are to someone else. The UTSA drafted legislation that makes cyberbullying sessions for the student participants. Through cacy in support of related prevention efforts.
Department of Counseling and our CSI chap- in Texas a crime. “David’s Law,” as it is now this counselor community engagement activity,
ter collaborated on a grassroots launch of this known, was signed into law in 2017. David’s we hope to identify strategies for supporting The following list of resources and media
initiative. Together, we held the first national Law (SB 179) authorizes schools to investi- future anti-bullying endeavors. are intended to support CSI chapters in re-
Impact Project summit at the UTSA Downtown gate cyber-abuses, even those committed after CSI is a worldwide community of stu- sponding to our call for anti-bullying action:
Campus in November 2015. The Impact Proj- school hours, and stipulates that parents must dent and professional leaders who advocate for
ect was just beginning when tragedy struck our now be notified if their child is involved in a counselors and the communities we serve. Our David’s Legacy Foundation website
community. cyberbullying incident (David’s Legacy Foun- chapter is supporting the efforts of others who
On January 4, 2016, news spread quick- dation, 2018). It also created a mechanism for are leading the way in advocacy to stop bul- The ACA Impact Project website and Facebook
ly across the San Antonio community that Da- anonymous reporting. lying and cyberbullying behaviors and create page
vid Molak, a beautiful and beloved young man Although great strides have been made, what the David’s Legacy Foundation describes
of 16 took his life after enduring horrendous bullying and cyberbullying are crises that as a culture of digital wellness. The Molak The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and
bullying and abuse at school and online. The continue to affect communities nationwide. In family and the David’s Legacy Foundation Emotional Learning website
family responded to David’s abuse in all the response, the UTSA Department of Counseling created the David’s Law Anti-Cyber Bullying
ways professional counselors would hope for. is partnering with the David’s Legacy Founda- Pledge, symbolized by a sticker we can place Special Issue of the Journal of Creativity in
They involved school administrators, provided tion and Amerigroup Insurance to host a cy- on our cellphones or devices. Recognizing that Mental Health: Anti-Bullying and Interperson-
him with counseling services, and, of course, berbullying awareness and prevention summit words can wound and harmful use of tech- al Violence
loved him through it all—but his tormentors for middle school students on October 2, 2019. nology can kill, the pledge reads, “I pledge to
at school, growing in numbers through social The R.E.A.L. (Radically Empowering Ambassa- NEVER use my device as a weapon.” Imagine “Bullying: How Counselors Can Intervene” by
media, were relentless and followed him online dors & Leaders) Summit will feature national if the multitude of CSI leaders across the coun- Aida Midgett in Counseling Today
after he transferred schools. speakers and trainers on the social and emo- try were to take this pledge and the spirit of
No words could begin to describe the tional learning education model. This event is David’s Legacy and the ACA Impact Project to
agony this family, and others like them, feel designed to give students tools that promote their communities. Together, we can create a
knowing their child is now gone because the courage, kindness, and advocacy—all salient culture of kindness and gratitude grounded in
pain of being hurt by the cruelty of others was qualities for children navigating life in digital- this vision of hope and advocacy.
too great for him to bear. In the horror of it all, and real-world settings. The Sigma Alpha Chi Chapter of CSI
the Molak family made a public plea for mem- Hundreds of children from the commu- endeavors to transition from being a group
bers of the community to share David’s story nity will journey the halls of the UTSA Down- of leaders who serve their chapter to being a
and not let his death be in vain. Through the town Campus and embark to connect with one chapter that serves. When considering commu-
2015-2016 ACA Anti-Bullying and Interperson- another and learn skills they can take back nity needs, we recognize that crisis and trauma
al Violence Presidential Initiative, David’s sto- to their campuses. Recognizing our chapter’s warrant CCE. Crises of all kinds affect peo- Brittany C. Hudson
ry was shared across the nation, and hundreds dedication to advocacy and our past involve- ple in the communities in which CSI chapters
of students and counselors participated in ment in the Impact Project summit, the UTSA exist. The effects of bullying and cyberbullying
these anti-bullying efforts. Similarly, his story Department of Counseling invited us to volun- are devastating and sometimes deadly, and
inspired and informed the future of the Impact teer at the R.E.A.L. Summit. On the day of the advocates for change need widespread commu-
Project. summit, a group of Sigma Alpha Chi chapter nity involvement to cultivate an environment
Soon after, the Molak family launched volunteers will greet student participants, help of online wellness. The works of the David’s
the David’s Legacy Foundation, a non-profit with registration and meals, guide students to Legacy Foundation and all those who support
committed to eliminating cyberbullying. With their rooms, assist with interactive activities, it inspire us to become involved and make a
the help of friends and community members, and more. Three doctoral student volunteers— difference in the lives of our children. We hope
they enlisted politicians, lawyers, school ad- Isanely Guerrero Kurz, Laurel Jackson-Cook, other chapters will be similarly encouraged to
ministration, and the public, and together and Gretchen McLain—will lead breakout harness CSI’s commitment to service and advo-
Dr. Thelma Duffey

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