LIBRARY & REC CENTER STAFF RECEIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT TRAINING
By Harrison J. Bahe
On August 19 and 20, 2025, the Fort McDowell Library and Recreation Center staff attended a two-day training seminar presented by PAX Tools for Youth Development, a program offering trauma-informed, evidence-based strategies designed to improve relationships, regulation, and resilience. These strategies can be applied at work, at home, and throughout the community. For the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, the training will be implemented with the youth who regularly attend the Library and Recreation Center.
At its core, PAX Tools creates a nurturing environment that enhances Peace, Productivity, Health, and Happiness in any setting. As presenter Kristi Hamblen explained with a smile,
“Pax is simply the Latin word for peace.”
The training took place in the Y’ow Conference Room at the We-Ko-Pa Casino and Resort. Hamblen began by introducing herself through a personal story about her family. A photo of her grandchildren, smiling brightly on the TV screen, was quickly followed by her frank admission that despite their happy faces, each child carried unique struggles: attention deficit disorder, anxiety, sensory challenges, parental divorce, and even an unusual but very real fear of birds. This, she explained, was a reminder that behind every smile lies a personal battle we cannot see.
To break the ice, popsicle sticks with staff members’ names were drawn from a coffee mug. Each participant introduced themselves and shared how many years they had worked with children. Answers ranged from two to three years of experience to veterans with more than sixteen years of service.
Over the course of two days, participants engaged in exercises, discussions, and activities that highlighted the challenges youth face. Together, they assessed risk factors such as absent parents, addiction, poor nutrition, domestic violence, bullying, homelessness, alienation, loss, fear of school, and fear of the unknown. In contrast, they identified protective factors like supportive parents, positive self-esteem, a safe environment, strong extended family, access to counseling, and the presence of caring adults. These factors were symbolically placed into an illustrated backpack, representing the unseen burdens children carry every day.
“We don’t know the content in their backpacks, but it presents itself with their behavior,”
Hamblen explained, encouraging staff to see beyond surface-level actions.
Another key part of the seminar was self-reflection. Staff were asked to examine their own reactions when children are in trouble. Hamblen noted, “We exhibit the reactions we know because it’s what we ourselves experienced in our youth.” The message was clear: in order to break cycles of generational trauma, adults must learn new ways of responding that prioritize compassion and understanding over punitive measures.
The training was not only informative but also personal and engaging. Staff bonded with one another, sharing laughter as they taught Hamblen unique reservation mannerisms such as “pointing with your lips.” These lighthearted exchanges highlighted the sense of community that developed alongside the serious discussions.
By the seminar’s conclusion, the Fort McDowell Library and Recreation Center staff left with practical tools and deeper insight into the hidden challenges faced by children. More importantly, they walked away with a shared commitment to apply these lessons for the benefit of the youth they serve.
