Fostering Resiliency in African-American Boys Living at PEC

Posted by People’s Emergency Center on August 4, 2014

Can you see me now? Giving boys the support they deserve

Early last year People’s Emergency Center Senior Counselor Lisa Christian made a challenging observation: PEC does not ‘see’ the boys in our shelter. She pushed the point: “in spite of the fact that we are mothers, sisters, and long-term case managers dedicated to our families, we are not sure we are serving the boys effectively.”

You’d hardly believe that its a year later, and over that time PEC’s vision for boys is improved…we’re starting to “see” them, now.

We shared that vision in a June 20th “Growing Up Homeless” forum attended by 50 service providers in an open discussion about the overlooked needs and traumas of young men experiencing homelessness.

To better see PEC’s vision, Ms. Christian and PEC Stoneleigh Foundation Fellow Leigh Wilson enlisted Michael O’Bryan, Youth Services Coordinator at The Salvation Army Red Shield Family Residence.

Ms. Christian spoke in depth about the trauma that is specific to male youth. She particularly noted the shared themes of fear and trauma that emerged from focus groups held with PEC residents. In addition, the audience agreed that there were issues around how adolescent boys and men are often removed from the context of the family system in order to provide services to women with young children.

Immediately following, Ms. Wilson discussed her report,”Fostering Resiliency in African-American Boys Living at PEC.” A summary of her final report can be read here.

http://www.pec-cares.org/clientfolders/pdf/Final%20Report-boys-2014-6-16.pdf

Mr. O’Bryan offered how he works to create a safe, structured environment at his agency. He mentioned the importance of increasing praise and reinforcement of positive behavior with the boys with whom he works with at his shelter.

The forum was successful in bringing together a variety of perspectives on what’s needed when working with boys in shelter. That was echoed in the post-forum survey of the 50 service providers attending. They survey showed significant support for better ways to serve young men. Among the important forum takeaways? “The importance of beginning conversations with [the agency] regarding the importance of not normalizing and criminalizing the experiences of boys and men.”

For PEC that means moving forward by changing its perspective and its environment, and reaching out to others for partnerships – so that everyone is seen, and heard.

We’ll keep you posted.

PEC is grateful to the Stoneleigh Foundation and the Douty Foundation for their support of PEC through funding Ms. Wilson’s work.

For more information, contact us at policy@pec-cares.org.