Local school district plans to expand Resiliency Rooms for struggling students to other buildings

PITTSBURGH — Violence and trauma affect children in ways that often go unnoticed, according to Barbie Sampson, who lost her daughter, Jasmine, to gun violence. Sampson’s surviving daughter, Cierra, faced overwhelming grief after her sister’s death, making school especially difficult.

“A lot of people, including adults, don’t realize what our kids go through during their grief,” Sampson said. “They tend not to understand what these children are going through and think it’s due to bad behavior.”

For Cierra, school became a painful reminder of her loss. “She was always asleep, always crying,” Sampson recalled. “There was a point where she wanted to commit suicide.” But a turning point came when Cierra worked with the school district to create a new space designed to help kids struggling with trauma—the Resiliency Room at Woodland Hills High School.

The room, created to offer students a safe place to process their emotions, became a source of comfort for Cierra. “It made her feel better about herself because she knew she was helping people in need,” Sampson said.

The success of the Resiliency Room has led to its expansion across nearly every building in the district. “We can get a hold on it younger and follow them into their older years,” Sampson said. “We can watch their triggers and help balance their lives.”

Now used almost every day, these rooms are seen as vital for students’ mental health and success in school. Sampson believes all students, especially those who experience violence at home or even just loss of a family member natural or tragic, should have access to these resources.

“All kids need to have this,” she said. “I think it’s beneficial for all kids to have this in every school.”

Currently, Wilkins Elementary is the only school in the district without a Resiliency Room, as there is no available space. However, the district plans to expand the program to the school once space becomes available.

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