Listen to this

Joseph Stanley

Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Biography
I am a motorcycle nut, and for a hobby do youth work. I have been working in this field since 1980’s. At first in an informal capacity working with street youth in Boulder Co. My first formal role as a Child and Youth Care was volunteering in a runaway shelter in Milwaukee WI, which I am still at. I started out there in 1986 as a community volunteer, and was working doing pizza delivery, house painting, and doing machining work. I had at that point in my life always been involved in blue collar and farming jobs. It was no accident that I became involved in working with street youth, but a process of me giving back for making it out of that lifestyle myself. In the process of giving back I fell in love with working with youth. From there I went on to get a BSW, and then to get a Masters in Ed-Psych. I have done pretty much everything over the years from House Supervisor to running groups, and for the bulk of my time in the field as a Therapist working with the youth at Pathfinders Shelter where I started out, and have never left. At one point about 16 yrs. ago we started a program for youth to get involved in being youth workers at the shelter. Although it was never my role I ended up heavily involved, and one and a half years ago started overseeing that program. Providing youth with opportunities to help other youth, and this for me as been the ultimate way to provide youth the opportunity to achieve mental health, and life satisfaction.

How I came to be in this field
I guess the main factor that got me involved in this work is having grown up since age 13 on the streets, and having the status of being a throwaway kid. Then surviving this experience due to having positive adults in my life, and then wanting to give back. I started out literally a green community volunteer wanting to help out with no idea what I was doing, and then being extremely successful.

A Favorite saying
Satagrahaya: Be true to thine own self.

A few thoughts about child and youth care

• I can’t imagine doing anything else, and still I am shocked that I am doing this work.

• Listen, listen, and listen.

• Don’t forget to breathe.

Last thing I read, watched, heard, which I would recommend to others
I don’t watch T.V., and I read everything, and love it all including the local paper with all its flaws. My favorite thing is listening to silence, and – all right – motorcycle riding is the main way I learn to relax. This is a key to learning presence and Being.

A favorite Child and Youth Care experience
Need a book for this one, and will narrow it down just for this. I would have to say that watching youth in leadership roles is my favorite experience. I was present at one such occasion, and just sat back and watched this one young man I had mentored facilitate leadership training for youth, and he was able to connect with the youth magically. This experience again taught me that Youth can do so much more when we allow them, if we give them the tools, and allow them to be youth.

A few thoughts for those starting out
Utilize the youth that you work with, and listen to them. They are the experts. Learn how to meditate, and especially simple breathing techniques. Don’t minimize transition and the impact of movement. Encourage youth to be youth, and not mini adults. There are significant developmental events that occur throughout adolescence, and if I am mature for my age they might not happen.

A recommended child and youth care reading link
http://cyc-net.org/cyc-online/CYC-Online-sep2010-ward.html
http://www.rhyttac.ou.edu

My favourite child and youth care-relevant link and why
http://www.youthnewsletter.net/home.html

Here you can find the latest Youth Voices Newsletter – I like it because if gives me the opportunity to hear a different voice perspective. And because it seems to be a very creative project. Thanks for sharing this link, and I am going to continue to pass it along. The youth are the experts in youth work, and we just need to listen.

Influences on my work
The youth I have worked with over the years, they will call and leave me messages of how they are doing, and sometimes stop by the shelter, and some are in their 30’s now, but keep me humble. The 14 yr. young lady crying the other day, and the 13 yr. old swearing at me today both inspire me each moment. Also all the teachers and mentors along the way that pushed me, and especially John McKearn and Mark Krueger.

Anything else
Thank you to the youth who inspire me, and who do the real work. I provide the canvas, paint, and brushes, but they do the real work.