Thursday, March 4, 2010
First bar
Tonight at Teen Feed I had to bar someone from program. They broke a rule a few nights ago and so have been barred for a bit. This person tried to come in tonight. I had to stop them at the door and ask them to leave. The person was super respectful and understood and left without any fight. But it was super hard to do. The act itself wasn't hard. But emotionally it was hard. I knew they needed food and were probably hungry, but I had to tell them they couldn't come in to eat. I know that it is best. These youth need consistency and structure more than anything. They need rules to butt up against and test like any adolescent. It's not just a punishment for breaking the rules. It really is good for them. And it shows them and the other youth that access the program that we enforce rules consistently. But still. I know all of that. I know it is good on many levels. But I also felt like I was denying this person food. It was just a bit hard. I feel bad about it.
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3 comments:
wow. i can only imagine how difficult that was for you. for anybody really. its incredibly difficult to deny someone food. but you are absolutely right and trust in that you are doing what is right by being consistent. ugh. i hate these moments of mixed emotions.
question for you. now that you are on the west coast -- which typically leads the way for east coast non-profits -- and being familiar with the east coast and the format we have in place over here....what trends do you see for non-profits that are addressing this issue?
does that make sense?
thought of you today as we had the send off for SERVE trips. you'd be proud :)
I am sorry that you had to do that - I know that was very difficult for you and how bad you felt - but in your heart you know you did the right thing.
nan: since you say i never respond to your comments, yes it was the right thing to do for sure. but it definitely was still hard.
caro: i actually was JUST thinking about that the other day. i was like hmmm i remember carolina saying that the west coast is always like 5 years ahead. i will shoot you an email with my thoughts.
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