The little things...

Sometimes, as adults, I think we forget how the little things we do for young people can seem to mean so much.
A few months ago, one of the youth asked to borrow some money - based on fact that they were all going to get paid for a certain project. Z took me aside, and quietly asked. Not because Z wanted the newest sneakers, but because Z wanted to show how much they appreciated one of their friends (ok, I know that sentence would reallly bug my dad; I'm talking about one person, yet using the plural pronoun, but their gender is irrelevent in this story, so there you go...). It was not a lot of money, but Z clearly was not completely comfortable asking. We off went to the ATM and got the money.
And I knew I'd get it back. And last night, I did. In an envelope, placed into my bag when I wasn't looking. It was clearly the bringing together of multiple 'pots' of money. And the thank you note that went with it, was touching. The way that Z crafted their thank you. The time that went into it. It was touching. I hadn't realized how something so little, which I didn't really even think about, could cause such great gratitude.
I consider it my job to be a good role model. And I work hard at that. I'm not trying to be their friend, but I am trying to be someone they can trust, someone they can turn to for help. And this latest 'event' has shown that maybe it is easier than I think. Sure we have boundaries (I keep my private life to myself, and don't want to hear the details of their relationships), but I love that they respect that.
It may not be in my job description, but I think these little things are the most important things that I do.

Evaluation

This year, in light of many changes, and the fact that sometimes I think it is good to do something differently, we're conducting our evaluation in a new way. Traditionally, our 'evaluator' has come in and done surveys with the youth - all very youth-0riented, of course, and then created a report (or promised a report) based on that.
This year, we took it into our own hands. In light of the recent departure of the "Elders", we decided that it would be good to have our first-ever "Mandatory Meeting". Glugh. And then, on top of that, we had one on one meetings with ALL the youth. Sounds like a tall order, right?
It hasn't been. The evaluation, in the form of questions that we each (yes, me too) wrote our own responses to, was very informative. Although I have yet to write the report, I think it'll show a lot of diversity, and a desire to lead.
The individual meetings have been wonderful. What a great opportunity it has been to get to spend some time with them all one-on-one. And oh how quickly the time goes by. The greatest piece is that they ALL want to take on the newer leadership roles - and they want to step up their individual games. They all have ideas on what that looks like, and how that fits together - but it has been inspiring to see them all want to take on new pieces of these puzzles.
I'm excited. Although we have yet to iron out all the details, I think when we come together this week, we'll have a clearer understanding of where we each stand. We'll begin work on some of their new project ideas, and then wipe the rest of the board completely clean, and watch us fill it up again. As they've opened up to me, I've opened up to them, and I think that's helped - at least a bit! :)
This evaluation is leading to a new beginning, one where I hope each person feels as though they are an important part of the puzzle. Because, whether they know it or not, each one of those youth has carved out a niche in my heart for themselves - even when I didn't think I could fit any more niches in.
Gotta love this work, I think I continue to learn more and gain more from this experience than they do...I just hope they know it! :)