Practitioner’s Corner

By Kimberley M. John

Practicum Experiences with Diversity – first of three articles by students

Working With Toronto Street Youth: A Counsellor’s Perspective

The first question I am often asked when I tell people that I work with street youth is: “Isn’t it difficult?” Such a question is a logical inquiry as the barriers facing those on the street are unlike those of other populations. The idea that Toronto’s street youth are too complicated to benefit from employment counselling stems from an unspoken assumption that street youth are merely a myriad of issues that overshadow their willingness or need for assistance. As a front line counsellor in training I can say that this assumption is grossly false.

The issues faced by those with whom I currently work are varied and multi-layered. Addictions, lack of supports, abuse, and disabilities are but a few of the workings enmeshed in street culture. Often these afflictions intersect, thus compounding already challenging employment barriers. What many fail to realize is that at the heart of this maze of issues is a person: an individual with a name, a face, feelings and possibilities. This is where the role of the employment counsellor comes into play.

In the centre where I am currently placed, the youth take one of three main approaches. Either they are very selective in what they choose to disclose, they communicate a great deal of information, or they oscillate between the two. Disclosure wholly depends on the day or the relationship that they have with the staff. Regardless of the youth’s countenance, we often silently ask ourselves: “Where do we begin?” Never having lived in a shelter, nor been part of street culture, I initially felt ill-equipped to assist the youth to develop employment goals. I then realized that although I live in a world different from my clients, there are similarities that exist therein. For instance we each have food preferences, allergies, favorite stores in the Eaton Centre, and opinions about the various weather patterns we are subjected to here in southern Ontario. Instead of focusing on our outward differences and widening the chasm that lies between our life experiences, I have chosen to employ a more constructive approach. By tracing my experience and that of the street youth I am able to identify lines of congruence that can be used as a vehicle for my entry into the parts of their world that I do not know or understand. The door to a wealth of information can be opened by asking a simple question such as: “How do you feel about the weather we’ve been having?”

Working with street youth means that their culture enters the employment resource centre. The youths’ mood and focus are affected by police presence in the area, housing shortages and scarce employment opportunities. What does not change is the fact that these kids have potential and can reap benefits from employment counselling. This can only happen if counsellors are willing and able to bend in order to meet the youth where they are. One of the reasons I enjoy the field of career development is because of the diversity and challenges that it offers. Therefore, when I am asked if my current placement is difficult, I reply: “It is only as hard as one makes it”. As trained professionals, we each know the skills necessary to conduct effective counselling and how we choose to apply them determines the challenge.

Kimberley M. John has recently completed the Career and Work Counsellor program at George Brown College, and is the recipient of the 2001 OACDP Gillian Johnston Award. Prior to her training in the field of career development, Kimberley earned an Honours Degree in Sociology and Family & Child Studies. Her key interests include resource review and dissemination, outreach and information workshop delivery. Kimberley can be contacted at kmj_inc@yahoo.ca