Hey Everybody,
Nicole is stepping up to blog to you all. I am going to put her blog here and I hope you will leave your comments for her.
Nicole, You Go Girl!!!!
I've been trying to work on staying in touch, which I think may be easy for me because I am young I am still interested in some of the things they are. (teens)
Although sometimes I'm afraid to let them know that for fear they may see it as a sign of weakness and I would lose some of the respect they give me.
For example when we took the shelter boys out for lunch... they got in the car and I let them have control of the radio they were all shocked that I knew the words to the songs they wanted to listen to.
Would you all be interested in techniques about staying in touch?
Nicole
4 comments:
Yes!! I feel like I am an Americorps member lost in action!!! Thanks, Nicole for stepping up the game!!
I have really enjoyed working with the Sea Haven boys too. The most enjoyable times for me have been working on the mural in their rec room and then on saturdays when they come to Project Lighthouse for art and the beach.
I am always amazed at their manners, quite frankly. Considering what they are in the home for.
I am reminded consistently that it is all in the small victories. The neat conversations. The moments of joy. Definitely have been seeing that. Mostly, I just really enjoy being around them. They make me laugh for sure!!!
Nicole and Caitlin! Thanks for the insight. Working with the guys has been very satisfying for me too on a very personal level. I would like to share with you something Margaret Mead said.
"The solution to adult problems tomorrow depends on large measure upon the how our children grow up today. There is no greater insight into the future than recognizing when we save our children, we save ourselves."
It was a sad day when I realized that teenagers do not see me as the hip, former breakdancer and adventurous spirit, but as a man-almost 40, part of the system that they see as oppressive at worst, uncool at best. Although I hope to always stay aware and empathetic of what young people value and need, I have accepted my role as "grown-up" in the knowledge that they will eventually grow up too- if we do our jobs and they do theirs.
If you guys want to combine art and wise guys at some point, let me know!!! That would be fun.... I don't know how exactly, but we could figure something out!!!
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