Covenant House Vancouver

Howard, one of our Community Support Service youth workers, just popped in to tell me a great story as a follow up to the youth versus staff hockey game.

He told me that last year, before we started renting the gym at the Roundhouse, the youth and staff would play hockey near the beach. Howard recalled two young men who really "went at it" during a game, slashing each other's sticks, eventually breaking out into a full-fledged fight.

They were pulled apart and it turns out that the two had recently been discharged from the Shelter together for inappropriate behavior and they were taking their anger out on each other. One of the youth was not as good of a player as the other youth. The youth that was the better player was really rubbing the not as good player's nose in it and teasing him lots.

Well, fast forward a year and at our recent hockey game, the two young men were playing again - this time cheering each other on and having a blast. Howard mentioned that the one young man had really improved his hockey playing skills after having noticed the other youth giving him pointers. Apparently the two are the best of friends, are currently staying in our shelter and doing very well.

It is amazing what a difference a year can make in the lives of our youth.