Youth Voice: Relationships with Staff and Self-Discovery

Last week,  we met with Janna, Asia & Norah, three middle schoolers enrolled at the Gately Youth Center and asked them how they felt about relationships with youth workers. They spoke about how some youth workers became like family, helping them overcome challenges and supporting them to reach their goals. As Janna told us, "I feel like its my family because every time I have a problem they work it out with me. I feel safe here."

Watching this video prompts us to reflect on how we, as youth workers, intentionally build positive relationships with young people:

• How do you create an atmosphere that fosters positive staff/youth relationship building?
• Where do you see evidence of young people discovering who they are based on your relationships with them?

​The power of positive adult/youth relationships might get lost in the day to day, yet we must never forget what strength-actions like encouragement, lending an objective listening ear, patience and individualized assistance build inside of young people.