“Walking With a Purpose“

Palmdale, CA.-Building and Maintaining Healthy Relationships, Wellbeing

and Community Connection in the Antelope Valley

The inaugural cohort of the Antelope Valley Wellbeing Coalition has recently graduated from a 6-month Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology (CAPP) program where Community leaders have been learning a shared language and toolbox for wellbeing.

In simple terms, the field of positive psychology supports an increased capacity to focus on what is positive, or preferred, as it relates to thoughts, attitudes, feelings, and behaviors. With the difficulties of life, this is vitally important, as important is how nurturing positivity relates to the relationship with self, family, and community.

The course was brought to the valley by the support of the City of Palmdale, and led by Louis Alloro, senior fellow at the Center for Advancement of Wellbeing, and Dr. Talma Schultz,

Positive Psychology does not posit that a person will never feel or think negatively or feel a negative emotion; life is about a full range of human emotions,. However, it does teach that despite setbacks and hurtful experiences, one can transcend learned helplessness, the belief that nothing one does can change one’s condition or experience.

When one is utilizing the Wellbeing Lab’s tools such as self-care, and the practice of positive tiny habits, one builds a positive mindset, greater self-efficacy, and self-empowerment. This in turn prepares one to be more positive in personal, familial, professional, and community relationships and interactions, thereby building and maintaining healthy relationships,’ that lead to more care and collaboration in the community.

project about to be executed is the “Walking With a Purpose” program, created by Community Organizer Ruth Sanchez, a Palmdale resident, and Lieutenant Josh Barlot of the Palmdale LASD.

“Walking With a Purpose” brings LASD Officers and Palmdale community members together on neighborhood walks, to meet, become acquainted with, and humanize one another in service of healing and forward movement for the community...

Sanchez and Barlot are grateful for the City of Palmdale’s contribution to the cost T-shirts for the program, and for the LASD Officers who have signed on to participate on neighborhood walks. The program is set to begin on May 12 at 5 pm, 37987 Stardust Pl Palmdale CA 93552. Ice cream will be included!,

The spirit of Positive Psychology is evidenced not only in the blossoming community relationships coming out of the Palmdale Wellbeing Coalition but also in the hopeful words of Sanchez as she addressed the Palmdale City Council “We hope with this project will kickstart the healing process and rebuild relationships between the Community, City and Law enforcement. Plus, the added benefit of the getting up and moving together in a walk might spark more health behaviors among participants, as well as additional opportunities for collaborations in improving quality of life in Antelope Valley.””

For more information on the Antelope Valley Wellbeing Coalition, or how you can participate in an upcoming CAPP class or projects, visit www.avwellbeingcoalition.com.