Counseling Urban Youth

Counseling Urban Youth
Christian Community Development Association 2005 Conference
Recorded in Indianapolis, Indiana

Speaker: Ware.

1. Think of some real issues that urban youth are dealing with today?
2. What are some successful interventions used to help the youth get past these issues.

One of the biggest ways that we can help youth is by changing their perspective on things.

Identity Adjustment
"Change your inner-self to produce more positive outer-self"

As youth worker, sometimes we are seen as the only Bible that the youth read. We make the invisible Christ, visible to the kids. Therefore, our communication and our guidance are highly valued, even though it might not be perceived right away.

No matter how tattered and beaten up and gross a $20 bill may be, its value never decreases. He ties this into the fact that whenever we get the chance, we must show these kids that they have immeasurable worth. In fact, he said that we need to push the fact that there is worth in themselves.

Ware also boldly reminded the group that Jesus commanded us to be a witnessing representative of Him; and that since one of Jesus' names is " the counselor", then as His reflection, we must do the same.

He also a stessed the importance of after school programs; because even though some saw it was a homework club, he saw it as a life or death situation for some of these kids.

Ware finally closed with, almost a cookie cutter method on how we can really listen to these teens when they are dealing with a crisis.

1. Listen- because there is a therapeutic essence to being heared.

2. Engage the teen- encourage them to talk about whatever is bothering them, no matter how hard some of it may be to hear for us.

3. Be calm- do not raise your voice of make quick interjections out of anger or disgust.

4. Verbalize your thoughts – but be very direct, never EVER beat around the bush, especially if you know that the issue at hand is important.

I enjoyed Mr. Wares' workshop and even though I may not have agreed with 100% of all of his suggestions, I was glad to hear his bold comments and declarations about our responsibilities as youth pastors and living Bibles to these teens.

I still think that phrase is profound.

I am a living Bible to someone.