One of the most valued parts of my work with our Good Shepherd Agencies across Canada and into the U.S. is the opportunity that is presented to foster inter-agency communication. This week I had the privilege of sharing some time with our friends at Maryvale Adolescent and Family Services in Windsor, Ontario. They were celebrating Heritage week and coincidentally their 85th anniversary of their founding by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. The Sisters are no longer physically present but their spirit, their passion and zeal remains in the very fibre of the agency. It is always a joy to spend time with them but especially this year which has been particularly challenging due to financial cutbacks from the government of Ontario and resulting lay offs. Hard not to go to the dark side of cynicism when such events happen and friends lose their jobs!
Nonetheless, I found the same enriching spirit when it came to what their wonderful staff do with the youth they serve everyday. We all know that our kids watch everything we do and pick up on all of our sentiments and sensitivities. They reflect back to us how we present to them. Well yesterday, during their closing ceremonies, the youth at Maryvale were truly appreciative of the Good Shepherd awards given to one female and one male peer. Afterwards I had the privilege of helping to handout ice cream in the remembrance garden on a beautiful Spring day and there was not a single youth or adult who neglected to say 'thank you' when they received their treat. That, my friends, is not an accident! Many kudos to all the adults and young people of Maryvale for contributing to a Good Shepherd culture.
Then I had a great chance to chat with the clinical director who continues to explore how they may deepen their own capacity to enrich therapeutic relationships with all of their youth. As they further explore the foundational elements of trauma informed care and resilience, she expressed a very keen desire to connect with her counterparts in our other Good Shepherd programs who are also working on the implementation of trauma and resilience treatment in their work. Not unlike other agencies, Maryvale has its own style and preferences on how best to implement change and it is always very easy to stay within the safe environment of 'home' and not risk hearing about what others do or sharing what we are currently working on. Maybe it is protectiveness or fear or whatever? But here was this leader saying to me, "Bob, can you help me to connect with the new clinical director in Winnipeg? Please send me information about the workshop coming up in Winnipeg in September. I want to hear more from Stacey in Halifax about how they are working with the educational system in ensure a seamless transition in the public schools there." Guess I now have more work to do in facilitating these connections. I do so with a dance of joy knowing that the real risk, the real challenge is not mine but theirs! I do so also knowing that the generous spirit that exists within each of these persons will provide the support, advice and honest sharing about challenges that they each so richly deserve.
Sometimes we miss these golden opportunities even within our own agencies. Taking the risk to openly share ideas and dreams and experiments with one another just might be the most valuable effort we make this month. Besides it beats the heck out of cynical gossip around the water cooler!
Risk it!
