 Have you ever looked in your tool box or favorite drawer at home looking for that perfect tool to solve a mechanical problem? You pick a tool you think will work but discover, after repeated attempts, it will not. You are either left with ignoring the problem or creating a tool to fix it. You will be encouraged by the lengths Rawhide staff go to to design tools that make a meaningful difference in the lives of struggling youth.
Recently a young man was causing the staff in his Rawhide youth home a lot of stress. Week after week he would not cease the defiant behavior and threats that many young men bring with them. Staff used every tool that experience had taught them might work, but they all failed. It was time for a new tool and a lot of prayer.
In this case, the youth was escorted to a home where he would be alone but supervised by staff. His first task was to participate in deciding the jobs he would do each day and the time necessary to complete them. The first day demonstrated continued failure to comply. The next day his supervisor took him to the same woodpile where the day before he had failed to complete his task of stacking wood. The supervisor again described what he was supposed to complete and then concluded with this statement: “Young man, regardless how this day goes, I am going to save the last dance for you.”
I am sure the youth was thinking—“Whatever.” As he approached his job, he heard the stereo from the truck that had transported him to his jobsite start to play the melody and lyrics from the #1 hit recorded in the 1960s by Chris Montez entitled, “Let’s Dance.” This is a quirky song that would make you want to laugh and dance. More familiar with rap artists than oldies, he tried to ignore the tune. But minute after minute the song continued, and after ten back-to-back repeats he could not hold it in any longer. He began to laugh and ask for his supervisor to please stop playing that song.
Something changed in that young man on that day, and such a remarkable difference was witnessed in his behavior and attitude that those close to him marveled. The point of the story — if the tool does not exist in your toolbox to fix the problem, you need to make a new tool. Donor and staff support provide for some of the most talented tool makers in youth work; staff committed to helping young men experience lasting change. On behalf of all the tool makers and youth at Rawhide — Thank you. |
|
|
|
|
|
