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. Youth are allowed to find themselves and process things in their own way. 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. 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 is structured on a consistent schedule to allow time for homework and online learning. Staff are not overbearing and gently coax you into completing the daily requirements of online learning. Over the next several days you are given your space to settle into the daily routine. 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. You gather the courage to enter the large classroom setting and instantly a greeting of “Hello, Welcome!” rings out.Ī feeling of passionate caring from the staff envelopes your every emotion. 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. Imagine looking at the unfamiliar doors of Building C the Adams Campus Family Shelter for the first time. The first impression is usually a lasting one.
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. 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. 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. Maybe you are embarrassed by your homelessness.
You’ve also become homeless with your family.
Imagine you are facing the same circumstances as teens at the Tacoma Rescue Mission:ĬOVID restrictions stop you from hanging with your friends and online school takes away the normalcy and stability of classroom learning.