“When the people you trust the most let you down, it’s hard to open up again. At Covenant House Vancouver, I was met with unconditional love and absolute respect. The staff stood by me, believed in me, and helped me feel like I could trust again.” Christine, former CHV youth
Many youth who come to Covenant House Vancouver (CHV) have experienced some form of trauma. That trauma may include an element of mistrust, because a caregiver, professional, or even the system that was supposed to help them, has let that young person down.
When that happens, how do you get through to a guarded young person and enable them to trust again?
It takes time and patience, and it involves empowering youth by letting them know that they are seen, heard, and valued.
We are social creatures, and the importance of social connections cannot be overstated. In an article from Berkeley, it states that, “Research has shown that the psychological and physical health benefits of social contact are so great that they can even outweigh the harmful effects of other risk factors and boost life expectancy.” However, to make social connections, trust is key.
Christine identifies as a member of the 2SLGBTQAI+ community. In her home country of Uganda, that was a sin and a punishable offence. Christine’s mother brought her to Canada, for her own safety, but left her here with strangers. Being in a foreign country, with no knowledge of how to navigate its society, Christine didn’t know who to trust and had lost trust in those who she had relied upon.
Christine made her way to CHV, with her small suitcase in tow, not knowing what to expect.
You can learn more about Christine’s story on this webpage.
The Importance of Youth Workers in Building Relationships
CHV has many support people, and systems, in place to help youth through their trauma and to build brighter futures for themselves. However, on a daily basis, youth workers are the familiar faces that young people see, most often.
Lesley, Youth Worker at CHV since its inception, was one of the first welcoming faces that Christine saw.
Lesley’s journey to become a youth worker began when she wanted to leave the work that she was involved in. Lesley took a course through EI to discover her passions. At the end of the course, the instructor said that she would hand each participant a piece of paper with job prospects on it. However, she did not have one for Lesley. Instead, Lesley received a piece of paper with the words, “See the child in the human.” At the time, Lesley had no idea what that meant.
Lesley began to volunteer with someone from Covenant House Toronto, who came to BC to start CHV. Soon, Lesley obtained the credentials she needed to work the front door for the Drop-In Centre. Eventually, she went back to school so that she could become a youth worker.
Youth workers play such an important role at CHV. They are the first line of support for young people. They are the ones that youth turn to in the middle of the night when they are in crisis. They help with resumes, go to medical appointments with the youth, and perform the intake process, when a youth shows up at our doors. And sometimes, their efforts go above and beyond, to bring joy to the young people we serve.
Through their daily interactions, youth begin to realize that they are seen, heard, and valued. In Christine’s case, she was empowered to be her authentic self at CHV.
Lesley loves her interactions with youth. Not only do the young people learn from Lesley, but she also learns from them: “They have helped me navigate technology. They also make the world bigger for me. Instead of reading news articles about Afghanistan, Rwanda, Ukraine, Uganda, or colonization, the youth teach me about these places and circumstances through their own life stories. The situations become tangible. They are not something that’s happening out there, but something that going on here — now.”
While working at CHV as a youth worker, Lesley became a mother. While raising her child, Lesley went through their struggles and growth with them. These experiences deepened Lesley’s empathy and understanding of young people. “How would I like my son to be treated?” Is always at the back of her mind. “When I meet them [youth], I can now see the child in the human, and I will do anything in my power to keep them safe.”
When Christine arrived at CHV, Lesley was there to greet her and help make her feel safe and supported. Lesley recalls that Christine was an intelligent and caring young person.
Christine went on to become a therapist, because of her positive experiences with people, like Lesley, who made her feel cared for.
Help Build Trust
Working with youth in crisis can be challenging, but the rewards and career satisfaction are worth it.
In the fall, Lesley will celebrate her 28th year as a youth worker at CHV. “I feel so grateful that I found this work. CHV is a safe place that can help young people find healing and direction.”
Your support shows young people that they are seen, heard, and valued, which helps them build the trust, courage, and belief in themselves that they need to thrive.
Donate today and walk alongside youth as they journey towards a better future. Right now, your gift will be doubled, thanks to the Wubs Family Foundation, who will match any gift, up to $100,000, but only until June 30th!