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RE:SOUL SPRING FUNDRAISER 2019
When the Crisis is Made Visible
Confession: I write this blog with a heavy heart today. Here’s why …
I had just left an appointment yesterday when I decided to grab a coffee at a nearby Tim Hortons. As I was pulling into the parking lot, I noticed a fire truck (lights on) sitting outside the grocery store. Truthfully, I didn’t think too much of it. But as I walked from my car to the restaurant, an ambulance arrived on the scene along with two police cruisers. Both arrived very quickly with lights and sirens screaming to communicate their urgency.
Though it was quite a scene, I didn’t want to be one who lingers just to catch a glimpse of someone else’s trouble. So I continued into the restaurant and said a very short prayer for whoever was having their day flipped on its head. Only a few minutes later though, two paramedics entered the Tim Hortons with a very agitated young woman. They proceed into a corner and then sat down to talk with her.
At this point in time, I’m very curious (and already a little saddened) as it’s obvious the girl is in her late teens and in a great deal of distress. Right or wrong, I’m now doing my best to hear what they are saying … partially out of interest, but also to see if there’s anything I can do to help. Although I can’t hear much, everything about the girls demeanour is defensive and angry. And when I do hear her, I hear so much hurt in her voice. This is a very broken young woman, but she’s doing her absolute best to hide it and instead frustration and anger pour out of her.
As the conversation continues she gets louder and louder, and at a certain point, when she is almost yelling, I hear her say this:
“There’s no way I’m going to let you take me away again. There is no way I’m going to let you tie me down to some hospital bed while some shrink tries to figure out what’s wrong with me.”
I don’t know the circumstances that led to a fire truck, an ambulance, two police cruisers, and all the personnel that accompanied them to arrive on the scene for this one girl. But what I do know is that though she was surrounded by paramedics, police officers, and eventually a crisis worker, she felt very much alone. Though she needed help, it didn’t seem she would find that help on her own. And though she was only a teenager, she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders.
As I left the restaurant I asked the two police officers if the young girl had a social worker or if one was on the scene. I told them who I was and offered to help if there was anyway I could. This is when I found out that a crisis worker had just arrived, so they had all the support they needed. I thanked them for their service (and for looking after this young girl) and then got in my car and drove away. On the way home I shed a few tears and said a few prayers for this young life … and hope from the depths of my soul that she finds the help she needs.
While I would never try to convince you that she represents the majority of youth, I can assure you she represents more than you would like to believe. There are so many hurting youth out there, most of whom suffer in silence because they feel alone. They don’t know that so many others share their pain. They don’t know that so many others have experienced hurt and loss in very similar ways. They don’t know that so many other also feel lonely in this great big world of ours. For many, they just wonder if anyone really cares at all.
When you give to our Spring Fundraiser, you are helping us reach young men and women like the young girl in the coffee shop. And even better, you’re helping us prevent many teens from getting there in the first place.
Please say a prayer for this young girl today … and choose to give!
Gratefully yours,
Michael Burns
Director, RE:SOUL Youth Centre / YFC Milton
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RE:SOUL Spring Fundraiser 2019 |
