Do you remember January 1st, 2000? I remember looking up into the sky at those fireworks, at 00:01 standing on Front Street in Toronto. Many people worldwide wondered if our computers would crash and what the future held for us. I knew I had a passion to reach out and help. In July I crossed a major threshold in my counselling career by joining Kids Help Phone. This would be my career of the new millennium! I’d won the Lottery!
Who knew, crossing that line, my life would change forever? I had joined an agency that offers a unique service to youths in “their” mode of comfort, in their style, in their time, from the comfort of their own place. I was hooked for good!
Like so many people who work at Kids Help Phone, either behind the scenes fund raising, spending tireless hours promoting this unique service or the endless hours listening, counselling, responding to on-line messages or chatting on Live-Chat…I fell in love with this amazing family who cares about reaching out to youths across this vast country, reaching out to cities, towns and more isolated regions where help and hope are often scarce.
The uniqueness is the availability, the free access and more notably the anonymity of this service. Finally a safe place for youths to reach out and not feel judged; youths, who sometimes are sharing for the first time, exploring their options and feeling a sense of empowerment because THEY are in charge of their call. Some youths may have been robbed of this privilege by abuse or neglect; here they are heard, respected and believed. As a counsellor, I do feel privileged accompanying a youth on their journey. I take the lead from the expert…the youth on the other end of the line or the other side of the screen.
Most youths who call are looking for some direction and may not know where to turn. Most do have good caring supports but don’t want to worry their family or friends. And then there are some who don’t have this…
Witness
Sometimes I hear
or read on-line
from far and near
their storyline
truths that need
and must be heard,
my role to heed
bear witness
to their pain.
I may appease
but must refrain
from judgement
and rather aim
solution focus
actively listening;
compassion’s key
and soothes gently.
they won’t divulge
they want to spare
their loved ones
for whom they care
still…
they just want
to unburden
confidentially
and safely…
feeling unlaboured
a weight off
their shoulder…
sense of reprieve
in total anonymity!
they are relieved
and finally believed!
And so I listen…
I hold their stories
gently in my heart
listen with my soul
witness with my ears
their pain I hear
catch their tears
embrace with my mind
their stories
one of a kind…
always unique
in their distinct tale
of deception
and betrayal
of violent nature
appalling misuse
of human behaviour
alas!… child abuse.
Cheryl-Lynn, Counsellor – Witness 2014/03/11
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