I walk into the academy after a light rain had passed. Ms. B and Coach Nate were the only people there at the moment. We exchanged formalities and waited for the facilities youth members to show up. About 10 minutes went by before the first young man showed up. I complimented him on his earring he was so proudly using to decorate his ear lobe and gave writing prompts. “Write a poem about the first time you realized you weren’t a kid anymore.”
Three other young people came in and I gave them the same prompt. While they all wrote a young man I wasn’t familiar with walked in. Everyone in the room gave him the easily recognizable, what are YOU doing here look. The young man asked for the program director, but she was out sick. Coach Nate took the initiative and asked the young man what he needed. The way they interacted with each other, you could tell they were somewhat familiar with each other.
“What do you need to see the director for?” asked Coach Nate.
“I have to complete some community service hours and she told me to come in and talk with her.” Replied the young man.
“Community Service?!” Coach Nate was obviously upset at the reasoning for the young mans inquiry.
Coach Nates previous relationship with the young man allowed him to sit and discuss the details of the young mans circumstance. “Man what did you do?” said coach Nate. I chose not to listen to the details of his circumstance. It wasn’t my business. After my ear caught back up with the conversation I overheard Coach Nate giving some advice and suggestions. They spoke a bit longer and the young man was sent on his way.
Coach Nate began speaking to me. I wish a had a tape recorder. The conversation went many places; from recounts of a funeral he went to that day (in which the mother burying her son had also buried her father the month before); to his childhood memories of playing and growing up in the eastend of the city. One thing that stood out though, he said, “There’s nothing for kids around here to do…”
I completely agree! The Parkland neighborhood is dense with housing. There is a lack of space and a lack of programming for that space. Kids are curious and adventurous. Your socio-economic status doesn’t exempt you from being a child and making mistakes. But it does have a say on how you are reprimanded for those same mistakes. I think of the young man that needed community service hours and I wonder… “When was the first time he realized he wasn’t a kid anymore?”
Three other young people came in and I gave them the same prompt. While they all wrote a young man I wasn’t familiar with walked in. Everyone in the room gave him the easily recognizable, what are YOU doing here look. The young man asked for the program director, but she was out sick. Coach Nate took the initiative and asked the young man what he needed. The way they interacted with each other, you could tell they were somewhat familiar with each other.
“What do you need to see the director for?” asked Coach Nate.
“I have to complete some community service hours and she told me to come in and talk with her.” Replied the young man.
“Community Service?!” Coach Nate was obviously upset at the reasoning for the young mans inquiry.
Coach Nates previous relationship with the young man allowed him to sit and discuss the details of the young mans circumstance. “Man what did you do?” said coach Nate. I chose not to listen to the details of his circumstance. It wasn’t my business. After my ear caught back up with the conversation I overheard Coach Nate giving some advice and suggestions. They spoke a bit longer and the young man was sent on his way.
Coach Nate began speaking to me. I wish a had a tape recorder. The conversation went many places; from recounts of a funeral he went to that day (in which the mother burying her son had also buried her father the month before); to his childhood memories of playing and growing up in the eastend of the city. One thing that stood out though, he said, “There’s nothing for kids around here to do…”
I completely agree! The Parkland neighborhood is dense with housing. There is a lack of space and a lack of programming for that space. Kids are curious and adventurous. Your socio-economic status doesn’t exempt you from being a child and making mistakes. But it does have a say on how you are reprimanded for those same mistakes. I think of the young man that needed community service hours and I wonder… “When was the first time he realized he wasn’t a kid anymore?”
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