Today has been a busy day. I've been looking after 4 little girls under 4, preparing for a 4th birthday party for 25-ish family members at our house- cleaning, making princess tiaras, hiding dragon eggs, baking a "castle" cake & finally writing a blog post. I have to admit that right now, I feel more like crashing into my cozy bed than sitting at the laptop writing today's post. However, I am reminded that this is what Lent is about- persevering when it would be easier to give up. So with the help of some chocolate pomegranate candies, I'll get on with my promised story about teens on the Downtown Eastside.
In March of 2009 a group of 15 nervous and excited teens (along with 3 adults) left behind their ipods, internet and arrived on the DTES for a five-day missions trip. The teens, Grade 10 students from Lions Gate Christian Academy, had been preparing for their DTES experience for months; fundraising to cover their costs, attending information evenings & hearing from guest speakers. They were ready, but nothing could prepare them for the range of emotions and vivid images they were about to be confronted with.
Working with "Youth With A Mission" the five days unfolded like this:
DAY ONE: DTES Scavenger Hunt to familiarize the students with the area. For many students it was their first time actually walking around the Main and Hastings neighbourhood. In the evening, the students attended a presentation about human trafficking and prostitution in Vancouver. "This was a very eye-opening and emotional experience." says my former teaching partner and amazing friend, Amy Wilson, the teacher who coordinated the trip. "Emotions ran high from anger to frustration. The students learned about the various organizations working to put an end to trafficking and discovered that, as long as there is breath, there is hope." This phrase would be a theme running through their experiences over the next few days.
DAY TWO: Chili Wagon Day! The students got to roll up their sleeves and help on the front-line. They chopped veggies, stirred chili and baked banana bread along-side former DTES residents & Gordie who started the "Chili Wagon". www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV-_1XH_int4 After 9 hours of kitchen work, the students took the hot meal to Britannia Park to share with 50+ people. They were able to chat with many Chili Wagon "regulars" & heard their life stories.
DAY THREE: The students toured some of the temples and worship sites of various religions to see how they care for the community & learn more about the diversity of the city.
DAY FOUR: The students were asked to pose as a homeless teen at various locations around Vancouver (Gastown, Granville Street, Robson Street). So they just sat, and sat, on the sidewalk and experienced what it might be like to be homeless. That evening's debriefing session went late. The teens had so much to say, "People didn't want to look me in the eye when they walked by!" "Someone even crossed the street and then crossed back, once they had passed by me." "Someone gave me a lunch- sushi!"
DAY FIVE: Students volunteered at the Union Gospel Mission in New Westminster. "What impressed me the most about my students was their respect for every individual and their desire to help out- serving food, handing out clothing, sweeping floors, even cleaning toilets," said Amy.
When the students returned to school they spoke about their experiences at an assembly. "So many parents told me that their teen would not stop talking about their experiences," Amy remarked. "They were constantly reminded that; wherever there is breath, there is hope." Not just for the people of the DTES, but for this generation of teens. This particular group is forever changed by their time on the DTES & will forever be conscious of their actions in offering hope in seemingly hopeless circumstances.
Thanks Amy (and the students) who shared this story.
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