Oh what a night

So tonight was my second night of volunteering at 614, the Salvation Army Church located in Regent Park. I have to say, it was NOT what I expected. I had a feeling these girls could be rowdy but I never imagined they would behave so badly as they did tonight. The first time I went to squads things seemed so nice: everyone listened and willingly participated in curriculum, the girls enjoyed our craft activity, the hip hop class was productive and the walk home generally pleasant. I assumed Annie was over-exaggerating when she said it was tame.

Tonight they were so loud and obnoxious I thought my head would explode. There were two or three regular girls who attended that were not present last week. These girls were so freakin loud and argumentative that it was difficult to even get them to do simple tasks such as reading a couple sentences from a book or listen to a CD. It was not just their booming voices but the sound of them banging on the table, slamming the door, talking on their cell phones and knocking over their chairs when they wanted to change seats or leave the room. These noisy distractions were compounded by two boys who kept coming by to bother the girls. These two boys would not leave the girls alone and hung around the hallway and lobby areas of the building. At some points they went so far as to disturb the other squad down that hall.

As the evening progressed things just got worse and worse. The dinner made by 614, and I'm being diplomatic here, was less than par and completely unsuitable. The girls refused to eat the pre-made sandwiches and rather than eat the corn chips provided, they proceeded to have a massive food fight. By the time the squad ended, the room was covered with crushed corn chips and with no vacuum in sight, the clean up task seemed daunting. We attempted to get the girls to help us out but it seemed a useless effort.

As we walked home, it became clear how out of control they really were. Upon leaving the building, the two boys and some other girls who had joined us later in the evening took their water bottles (water we had given them might I add) and decided to throw it at a prostitute sitting on the curb. The kids were all over the street running around screaming and yelling. Of the 8 kids with us, only 3 girls had to be escorted home, a request made by their parents. This proved rather difficult as they would not listen to reason and would not obey. I didn't get frustrated, I just sat there and let them do what they wanted. How on earth am I going to control a 15 year old determined to undermine me and do exactly the opposite of what I say? On top of that, the girls we had to escort home were big girls. Can you imagine me, tiny as a stick, trying to get them home before their curfews by means of intimidation and attitude? I've got to admit, I have some sass but not that much to actually follow through with serious action. These girls are tough. I'm such a suburban middle class white girl!

Finally 2 of the 3 girls went home. The last girl refused to listen to us so we decided to go to her house and let her mom know that her daughter refused to come home. Of course, she caught on immediately as we changed direction and declared petulantly that she would run ahead of us and lock herself in her house. She seemed so indignant as she ran ahead and bolted her door. I think she really believed she had outsmarted us. In her attempt to undermine us, she did exactly what we had wanted. She went home. I laughed so hard I thought I would pee my pants.

After getting back, Annie and I spent at least 30 minutes picking up crushed chips from the floor. Then we had chocolate cupcakes, ice cream and whipped cream with 614 leaders. It was sort of a debrief where we talked about discipline issues, squad curriculum and rules. It was productive.

Despite what happened tonight, I still really want to lead a squad, particularly with this age category. I refuse to believe these girls are idiots and can't behave. They are so amazing and have such potential. Not only are they beautiful but they are so intelligent. I could only dream of being as quick witted as some of these girls. They have a comeback for EVERYTHING! The best part about this squad is that these girls have the same taste in music as me. For the first time in four years, I am around people who actually like what I listen to and agree with my musical tastes. When they hear some good reggae they don't cringe and express their distaste with Bob Marley, they get up and shake some ass! A Tupac song is not met with disgust but with sincere admiration. I like these girls and this community because at the heart of who they are, they are real people. They don't have pretense. They are mouthy, difficult and unruly and they're proud of it. You've gotta give them props for that kind of attitude.

I have no idea what I am doing or if I'll be successful as a squad leader but I know with God's help there is hope. Pray for hope for me and that I would act as God would wish. Pray for these amazing girls and that they would know the Father's heart and their immense value. God bless 614!