Today we wanted to profile one of our youth workers and hear what it really means to be a presence-based children’s worker even in times like these. Introducing the wonderful Eve-Marie Smith (known as Evie). We are so grateful for all those who choose to spend their time loving, encouraging and leading the next generation.
“I am a 24-7 Youth Worker at Riccarton Primary School, and I work for La Vida Youth Trust as our After School Programme Co-ordinator. Our After School Programme is solely for Riccarton Primary families, and was created many years ago, out of a need identified by the school to give kids somewhere to go after school. I have also volunteered for the past 10 years at Life Church in their children’s ministry- which is called Life Kids.
Though I wear many hats my role is primarily the same: I help support kids and their whānau. I do this mostly by building relationships with kids at school, and being available as someone to listen, mentor, encourage, and otherwise provide help where I can. From there I often get to meet families and whānau, and start to form connections with them. During the day I am in and out of school, helping with programmes and events, popping into classes and supporting our tamariki's learning. This includes our Breakfast Club which helps ensure our kids start the day off right with some energy to learn! At lunchtimes I can be found in the playground or 'chill out' space, just there to hang out, have fun, and build connections. After school I am supporting families by helping to provide a safe, fun environment for kids to hang out in at After School Programme. This enables parents and caregivers to work and support their whānau, or simply have some respite. This is also a chance to connect with parents and caregivers, and I am often approached as a listening ear or for some more practical help with things at home. Church on Sundays is often another avenue of connection, as we have families from school that attend.
I love what I do, but it is quite the emotional undertaking. As a youth worker I am a 'hand holder, not a problem solver', but it can be very hard sometimes to not try and fix things for the kids and families I work with! I know logically that many of the problems they are facing are well out of my control: abuse, bullying, unstable home lives. Some of the stories I've heard, and disclosures that have been made to me have turned my view of the world upside down. So it can be a real challenge to not carry these situations on my shoulders. It's no secret that the mental health of many of our rangatahi is in a terrible state. I've had children as young as 8 years old tell me that they want to die. I've had a 7 year old sob in my arms and ask me why nobody loves her. Occurrences like that take a toll. The kids I work with have, within the last year, been through a lockdown at school during a mass shooting, and now a nationwide lockdown because of COVID-19. Post-March 15th I suddenly found myself in a position where I was helping support kids, school staff, and my team as they processed what had happened. I was trying to process too.
My team and I are currently trying to work out how to best support our tamariki and their whānau during this lockdown, as our very hands-on job has become as hands-off as you can get. Events like these are unprecedented. They stir up a lot of anxiety, and the fallout will continue for years. They are challenges I never thought I would have to deal with- let alone try and help my community navigate them.
I am so grateful that I have an incredible support team and my faith to cling to when things get really hard to process. I know that I cannot keep doing my job and keep loving these tamariki if I am not in a mentally and emotionally healthy place. Part of that is talking to the right people about the situations I'm dealing with, and part of that is looking for the 'little victories' in the midst of everything else. A 'little victory' is when, for the first time, a child is able to verbalise how they are feeling in the middle of a meltdown. It's when a child runs to you instead of running away. It's when you tell a child you love them and they say 'I know!" and roll their eyes. It's the little moments that tell me that what I am doing might actually be working; might actually be helping; might actually be making a difference. Nobody else might understand why that moment is monumental, but I do, and it reminds me that even though it can be tough, my job is worth doing. Little victories give me hope that no matter what I face, it's gonna be okay. Because if these kids can keep moving forward in the face of adversity, then so can I.
It is an absolute privilege to do what I do. To be in a position where people trust me enough to let me see them in some of the most vulnerable parts of their lives is humbling. I love my community and the feeling of kotahitanga that I get from simply walking to school from La Vida, and being greeted along the way by many different people. I adore the kids that I work with, and love making connections and getting to know them a little better every day. It’s an honour being able to walk alongside them as they navigate life— holding their hand through the lows, celebrating their successes, and encouraging them to become the best people they can be. Though it's not always easy, the 'little victories' are what keep me going.
I honestly can't imagine doing anything else.”
