The Sacred Space We Call Our Office
Written by: Breanna Daigle
When I was in college a professor once told me that females are the “hardest” population to work with. I remember her specifically saying, “If you can work with teenage girls, you are set for life in this career.” While I’m not completely sure the reason why, I certainly do recognize the unique challenges that young women face today.
I wrongly entered this job with the preconceived notion that I would be responsible for the “hardest” population as the only female on staff. I’d be lying if I said that didn’t scare me – but it definitely didn’t stop me from jumping in full force!
RE:SOUL’s office has become a place of courage, honesty and vulnerability to many of our girls during drop-in. It has become a place where tears are shed, frustration is released, heartbreak is shared, and most importantly, a place where some are given a voice for the first time. Over the past few months I have had many conversations in that sacred space – the office – where teens are opening up about, sex, identity, family conflict, addictions, relationship issues, self-injury, school struggles, and more.
I think my professor’s statement, that females are the “hardest” population, was simply misunderstood. I don’t believe she meant that females are difficult in character or personality but that they can be hard to work with because of the circumstances they are predisposed to. Additionally, at least with our current population at RE:SOUL, our girls tend to be quicker to open up about difficult things. There is also a regretful reality that many young women end up on the receiving end of emotional, physical and sexual abuse.
As Milton’s only dedicated youth drop-in centre we have the great privilege of being consistent in young people’s lives. Consistent faces, consistent space and consistent conversations. This creates the opportunity for relationships to flourish and vulnerability to take place. It is within these conversations that we often we get to be the missing puzzle piece. Like offering to go with them to their first counselling meetings or to that doctors appointment that they’ve been anxiously avoiding. It’s doing life with them rather than expecting them to do it all on their own.
Youth work is not something that everyone can do. In fact, maybe my professors statement had more to do with us rather than the teens themselves. It can be hard to work with such a vulnerable, hurting population. But the joy and growth that comes from working alongside them truly makes it all worth it. This is why I joined the team at RE:SOUL and why I love what I do. We get to make a difference in the lives of teens every single day.
Sincerely,
Breanna Daigle
CYC Ministry Staff
RE:SOUL Youth Centre / YFC Milton