EndNotes
 

I did not choose to be born
I could not choose my parents
I had no choice regarding when I was born.
I had no choice about how I was brought up
But there comes a time
When I must take responsibility for the choices I can make
In the end, I can choose how I will live

                                   — Sally Eichhorst

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“Life is something that everyone
should try at least once.”

                    — HENRY R. TILLMAN

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What is a Child and Youth Worker?

Somewhere in adulthood there occurs a stage in life known as Child and Youth Worker — a creature undefined by psychologists, misunderstood by supervisors, worshipped by children, either admired or hated by parents and unheard by the rest of society.

A Child and Youth Worker is a rare combination of doctor, lawyer and native chief. They are competent child psychologists, strict disciplinarians, with a twinkle in their eye, minister to all faiths with questions of their own. Child and Youth Workers are idols, with their heads in the clouds and their feet in the mud from yesterday’s rain. They are humorists in crisis, a doctor in an emergency, a leader and entertainer.

While working in a residential treatment residence, a Child and Youth Worker is expected to repair 10 years of damage to Tommy, make Jerry into a man, rehabilitate Lisa, allow Lucy to be an individual and help John adjust to the group. Child and Youth Workers are expected to lead youth in run and adventure ... even with their headaches. To teach indigenous activities ... even when they cannot spell the word. To guide youth in social adjustments ... when they have just found theirs; and to ensure everyone’s safety ... all while doing logs, drives, telephone calls and counselling other youth.

For all this, a Child and Youth Worker is paid enough to buy gas for their vehicle, food for their bellies, some Tylenol and to live on their nights off. You wonder how they can stand the pace and pressure. You wonder if they really know how much they are worth. And somehow you realize you can never pay them enough, when they leave at the end of their 18 hour shift and say see you in the morning.

From the Ontario Association of Child and Youth October 2007 Newsletter. Submitted by Michael Burns and passed along for those who have not seen it.

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Listening is a magnetic
and strange thing,
a creative force.
The friends who listen to us
are the ones we move toward.
When we are listened to,
it creates us,
makes us unfold and expand.

—  Karl A. Menninger

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