Juvenile Offender Not Here to Work

She wasn't here to work. That's what she said when she got here anyway.



The door opened slowly this Saturday morning. In walked one of our community service kids. Some people would call her difficult. In reality, that might be kind. A likeable kid but with problems. Her first day here was one of attitude. I wasn't sure she'd come back for day two but she did. She also has to avoid certain parties per court order who are also coming here to work. Now, on a day when she's not scheduled, in she walks.



"I'm not here to work today Miss Gayle". She tells me. "I just thought I'd hang out."



I told her that she may as well help me in the office. She eagerly obliged and pitched right in. I didn't say anything. I just let her talk while we worked. Soon my office was sorted and the problem she'd had on her mind when she came in was aired. There were no real answers for her but she seemed to feel better for having been heard.



When she announced that she better be getting back home and she left.



I looked at the neatly stacked piles, sorted and straightened items and marked her down for volunteer time. If we can't solve her problems we can at least give her the credit for what she did when she "wasn't here to work."