Imagine you are facing the same circumstances as teens at the Tacoma Rescue Mission:
COVID restrictions stop you from hanging with your friends and online school takes away the normalcy and stability of classroom learning. You’ve also become homeless with your family. Maybe you are embarrassed by your homelessness. Maybe you don’t understand why you’re here, staying in a shelter with strangers away from your familiar neighborhood while you deal with all the pressures of being a teen.
With all the conflicting thoughts and emotions included, the given situation would have an immense impact on the moral, social, physical, cognitive, and emotional aspects of any young person’s life.
This is why the partnership between Tacoma YFC and the Tacoma Rescue Mission exists: to meet the physical and spiritual needs of teens facing homelessness.
The first impression is usually a lasting one. Imagine looking at the unfamiliar doors of Building C the Adams Campus Family Shelter for the first time. You are uncertain of what to expect, burdened by online school, meeting staff that you have not built any type of trust with, unsure of your self-awareness and motivations, and shaky in your self-worth. You gather the courage to enter the large classroom setting and instantly a greeting of “Hello, Welcome!” rings out.
A feeling of passionate caring from the staff envelopes your every emotion. You’re still unsure and maybe a little intimidated by the new high-energy individuals that are glad you arrived and wanting to assist you in every way possible, but they seem driven to help you achieve your academic goals even though you are unsure what life goals you should even have.
Over the next several days you are given your space to settle into the daily routine. Staff are not overbearing and gently coax you into completing the daily requirements of online learning. The Teen Program is structured on a consistent schedule to allow time for homework and online learning. When the classroom day is over, there is time to interact, socialize with other kids the same age, and join in on board games or card games meant to boost self-esteem and confidence (and maybe a healthy side of friendly competition).
The Teen Program also has activities like art to project your creative side and round table discussions to develop trust and willingness to share thoughts, dreams, concerns without judgment. Youth are allowed to find themselves and process things in their own way. Facing tough circumstances doesn’t count them out from being teens, it only gives them more fuel to tap into the greatness that’s within every young person that comes into our Teen Program. We encourage, motivate, and remind each teen they can do whatever they set their minds to and become whoever they want as long as they keep that drive and strive to do better.
The staff is also learning so much from the teens as we give our time and unconditional love to them. We are learning about ourselves to be better examples and lead the next generation with everything we’ve got.
We have seen these teens grow as leaders in their families and assisting their siblings by guiding them when parents are away using what they have learned in the Teen Program. The teens themselves have contributed to the bonding and connection within their family unit.
Stability. Connection. Compassion. Growth. The City Life team at the Tacoma Rescue Mission site is committed to showing up for kids in turbulent times. Thank YOU for the work you’re doing through your support of Tacoma YFC.
Site leader Lawrence Ford and the team are busy putting together a summer schedule packed to the brim with activities like golf lessons, boat building, rafting trips, nutrition and financial classes, and so much more!
If you’d like to learn more about how you can get involved in the work happening through City Life, click below!
