When I tell people that I’m the director of a brand new youth center they usually say something like “Wow, you’ve got your work cut out for you!”  They’re absolutely right!  Whether I’m telling a teen he’s kicked out for bullying or I’m out in the community attempting to raise funds to sustain our daily operations, whether I’m facing an afternoon where four mentors call at the last minute to say they can’t make it or I’m attempting to maintain personal balance between my family, work at MAYC and my responsibilities at church, I am met with interesting challenges every day.

There’s another remarkable interaction that I’ve had recently with several people.  This is when they approach me and ask in a somber, very sympathetic tone, “How are you?  How are things at MAYC?” as if they’re expecting me to break down and cry or tell them some dreadful story about what’s going on at the youth center.  Don’t get me wrong- I am amazingly blessed to have people who care about my well-being and who are concerned about the success of Milton Area Youth Center.  It’s good to know that when I do need to break down and cry or have a dreadful story to share those people are there for me. 

But the truth is, I absolutely love what I am doing!  Amidst the manifested teen angst, the financial challenges and the unexpectedness each day brings, I find joy in two things: the way these tests have caused my relationship with God to deepen to a new level of richness, and the difference I see in the lives of the young people I am privileged to hang out with from 3:00 to 6:00 every school day.  For the rest of this post, I’m going to focus on the latter as I share some stories with you.

_ At the beginning of the school year one ninth-grader stood out as a loud  bully with less-than-positive language.  I can’t tell you the number of times he was asked by mentors and me to turn down the volume of his voice, to scale back his behavior and to stop cussing at the youth center!  As we’ve had the opportunity to form a relationship with this young man his behavior has changed slowly over time.  Now we enjoy his time at MAYC; his true personality, wit and even charm are apparent.

 Last week he came to talk to me about another teen whose behavior has been less than stellar.  My reply was, “You’re right that this person can be difficult, but you know what?  You were difficult at the beginning of the school year and look at you now!  You’re an inspiration to me; you give me hope that, in time, this person will also change his ways.”

He thought for a minute and said, “You know what changed my behavior?   It was when I told you I wanted to be a teen mentor next year and you said I’d have to prove to you this year that I could be a good role model.  That made me want to change.”  What a great affirmation that we are making a difference in these teens’ lives!  No wonder I love my job!

_ My husband Craig volunteers at MAYC on his day off.  Last Wednesday he gathered all the kids together and told them whoever sat quietly and listened the best would win $20.  I’ve never seen such an attentive audience!  Yes, that money had influence, but I also observed kids really soaking in and processing what Craig was telling them as he used a $20 bill to share an inspirational message about self-worth.  The students were really engaged, answering Craig’s questions and asking their own questions of Craig.  At the end it was really difficult to choose who had listened the best because everyone had been so well-behaved!  I asked them if they’d want more little “talks” like that and the answer was a resounding yes!  These kids are hungry for affirmation and hope, and we are here to provide it- another reason I love my job!

_ One more story- one of the girls at the youth center inspired me on Monday.  She shared with me that over the weekend she had been talking to a friend who lived far away and that friend had said he was thinking about committing suicide.  This concerned our student so much that she turned to the internet to search for anti-suicide information.  She found an amazing website called To Write Love on Her Arm.  Instead of telling about that here, I would encourage you to check out their very inspirational story on their website: twloha.com.  Our student was so moved that she used her iPad to create a presentation about the philosophy and vision of the organization. 

On Monday she couldn’t wait to show me what she had done.  Her presentation brought tears to my eyes, not only because of the story, but also because this girl had found something she cared so strongly about that she took the initiative to grab onto their message and put it in a medium where others could learn about it as well.  Right now she is in the process of making it into a short movie that we’ll be sharing on all of our video-sharing venues (more to come on that soon!).  How could I experience all this and not love my job!?

_ Each day at MAYC my heart is as full as my plate.  The reasons to love what I’m doing outnumber the items on my “to-do” list.  My faith grows each time I recognize that the things happening here are greater than me, our volunteers and our board all put together.  We are witnessing the mission of MAYC being carried out each day, and our vision just keeps on growing!  What’s not to love!?!