Sometimes in life we end up in situations we can’t change. Radical acceptance is all about fully accepting reality in situations that are beyond your control. This doesn’t mean you approve of the situation, are giving up, or that it isn’t painful. You are still allowed to (and should!) feel however you feel, but by accepting that it is what it is, you give the problem less power over you and you can begin to move forward. Practicing radical acceptance has been shown to reduce feelings of shame, guilt, and anxiety, and it can reduce distress in dealing with negative thoughts or events. Mental [...]

Go to work. Drive carpool. Make dinner. Wash the dishes. Do the laundry. Help with homework. Put the kids to bed. Buy the groceries. Pay the bills. Our to-do lists seem never-ending, and many of us are exhausted even before we’ve added in important self-care habits like exercise, journaling, or relaxation. It’s even harder if you’re struggling with mental health issues. That’s why a healthy routine is so important. “By creating routines, we organize our days in such a way that taking care of tasks and ourselves becomes a pattern that makes it easier to get things done without having to think [...]

It was close to Mother’s Day when Ruth Weber and Britany Williams headed out for their first get-together as Big Sister and Little Sister. They decided to drop by the Humane Society garage sale and let 6-year-old Britany choose a gift for her mom. After passing over a variety of Mother’s Day gift possibilities, something caught Britany’s eye. “I found this statue. It was of, like, a sewer rat with red glowing eyes, and it was really ugly,” Britany said. “And I was like, ‘I want to get this for my mom!’” “And it lit up,” Ruth said. “Not only did it have red eyes and it was grey and awful, but [...]

Scott struggled with PTSD, but didn't know what was wrong. He found help at The Village. Scott Geiselhart should have died. The gun should have fired. Instead, when he aimed his revolver at himself and pulled the trigger, it just clicked. Nothing more. Scott slammed the gun on the desk at his mechanic shop in Frazee, MN. He was stunned and shaking. A long, painful path led Scott to this moment. He had been a volunteer firefighter for 20 years. It was something he was proud of. He helped build the Frazee Fire Department’s extrication unit. “Got the truck together and all of a sudden, we got a [...]

Framed photos decorate Char Laney’s tidy desk at JDP Electric, Inc., in Fargo. Among pictures of family members and pets is a small silver frame. It shows Char with her “youngest friend,” on their first outing to West Acres mall. Since 2014, Char has volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of The Village as a mentor. It started with a simple commitment: to meet with her young mentee once a week at a nearby elementary school over her lunch break. “The first day, I just knew we clicked,” Char says. “I have no problem making conversation. Neither does she.” Char Laney would spend one lunch hour [...]

Apollo is a smart little guy, but was struggling at daycare. His parents didn't understand what was going on. Then, they found help at The Village in St. Cloud. Apollo was diagnosed with sensory perception disorder, and his parents are learning how to help him. This is their story: If you're concerned about your child's behavior or mental health, please contact The Village. You can call the office nearest you, or request an appointment online.

Eleven-year-old Colton stood next to his estranged father’s gravesite with his mom and younger brother, and read aloud the letter he’d written to him at the suggestion of his Village family therapy counselor. Colton, his brother, Drake, and mom, Shannon* received in-home family therapy from The Village after a series of events – including divorce, termination of dad’s parental rights, and medical issues – threw the family into chaos. Shannon says with The Village's help, she’s learned better ways to deal with her sons’ behaviors, set boundaries with her parents, and strengthen her family’s [...]

For years Nancy lived in fear. In silence. Worry-filled days and sleepless nights were her reality. Her son, Trevor*, was an alcoholic. He’d turned to alcohol to self-medicate his anxiety, only for things to get worse. Nancy tried to help. She pleaded and bartered with Trevor, but she couldn’t fix it. Nancy had read that alcoholics have to hit rock bottom before they become serious about recovery. Rock bottom happened, and in a desperate Sunday morning phone call, Trevor asked for help. A friend had told Nancy about First Step Recovery. Trevor made the call, and Nancy drove him. She asked if [...]

Po·ten·tial (pə-ten-chəl): Having or showing the capacity to become or develop into something in the future What can we do to defend the potential in the lives of kids in our community who, through no fault of their own, may not be facing the best life circumstances? How can we show them that they have a fire inside that can take them places they didn’t even know existed? Big Brothers Big Sisters of The Village is trying to do just that, and you can help. By matching caring, adult mentors with children in need of a little extra guidance in their early years, we can inspire these Littles to [...]

Ervin didn’t like reading. So every week, his Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor, Karl would come to his school, sit with him, and help him with the words. That’s what a Big Brother does. He shows up. Every time. Six years later, Karl still shows up for Ervin. “He’s helped me get through the hard times, and he’s always been there for me when I need him,” Ervin says. “He’s one of my best friends. He’s like a real brother to me.” Karl and Ervin have been matched through Big Brothers Big Sisters of The Village since Ervin was in second grade. He’ll finish junior high this spring. Then it’s off to [...]