Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) & Resilience

What are ACEs?

ACEs have been described as the public health crisis of our time.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are negative, stressful, traumatizing events that a person experiences before the age of 18 and are associated with life-long physical and mental health risks.

The negative effects on health and wellbeing associated with ACEs are predictable; if they are predictable, they are preventable. As a community, we can help build resilience by focusing our efforts on supporting families to build on their capabilities and foster protective factors in order to increase positive outcomes for children and youth.

“We are working to change the social norm of ‘What’s wrong with you?’ to ‘What happened to you?’”

– Dr. Meredith MacKenzie (Family Physician, Street Health Centre, Kingston)

Our Response

The Community Foundation is committed to improving the health and social wellbeing of our community, which includes limiting the negative health and social outcomes associated with ACEs.

We have helped to raise community awareness about ACEs through our Speaker Series and Community Insights publication. The Foundation also provides funding to numerous community projects that address issues faced by children, youth and families.

By using our voice and network to elevate the ACEs and resilience message, and by helping to bring together people and organizations working in this space, we have sparked further conversations and actions within our community”.

Adverse Childhood Experiences & Resilience Coalition of KFL&A

The Adverse Childhood Experiences & Resilience Coalition (ARC) of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington (ARC) is comprised of agencies and individuals in the KFL&A region, with a vision of a resilient community that prevents and reduces the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Coalition members have knowledge and awareness of ACEs, stigma, resilience and the importance of community and supportive relationships. They champion ACEs- and resilience-informed practices and use evidence of ACEs and toxic stress and resilience to inform decision-making and action within their sphere of influence.

For more information about the Adverse Childhood Experiences & Resilience Coalition (ARC) or to get involved, please contact arcpm@cfka.org 613-546-9696

Resources

Click on the links below for more information about ACEs:

Community Insights Report, Issue 1

Report References & Additional Resources

Speaker Series: ACEs Aren’t Wild Cards

Speaker Series: Focus on Youth

TED Talk: How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris

Horizons, Issue 2 2022: Adverse Childhood Experiences