Community health and resiliency go hand-in-hand. A community’s ability to improve health and well-being over time depends a great deal on how well it can respond to change and bounce back from adversity. That’s why resilience has been a central focus topic of SLHI’s going back to 2003, and why we’ve just issued a new 2015 workbook documenting strategies, tools and case studies for Arizona.

The Creating Resilient Communities workbook contains 52 information-packed pages of resources, strategies, elements, tips, tools and ideas to explore. While readers gain access to “how-to” steps and possibilities, they are also introduced to profiles of a half-dozen resilient communities based in Arizona.

The workbook is the second in a series that emerged from participatory community workshops held in Arizona. Residents and community leaders were brought together by ASU graduates, the Elemental Group, LLC and supported by St. Luke’s Health Initiatives to discuss aspects of their communities that were working, and areas that needed improvement. Topics ranged from healthy foods access to transportation and opportunities that connect community members’ talents with increased prosperity.

History leaves no doubt. Communities will face adversity over time. Whether it comes from natural, political, structural or economic effects, the Creating Resilient Communities workbook can help prepare a community to absorb it and bounce back. Download your copy today.