“We are sticking together despite being apart.”
The Town Shop as a program promotes the expression of one’s identity as they see themselves, choose to characterize themselves, and how they communicate who they are with the world around. We provide a rich array of healthy activities and interactions that assist in self-discovery. Young people are drawn to the Town Shop because it offers a safe atmosphere for them to be themselves, express themselves and relate to others. Since the Covid-19 crisis, we have found a way to function in this capacity still.
We have made it a point to continue to relate to young people as they are struggling with increased depression and anxiety from uncertainties and isolation. We have also found many of them losing touch with their identities, exasperating other mental health issues. Beyond being steadily available to young people to sympathize, empathize and listen, we decided to start reminding young people who they ARE despite the change in their daily schedules and activities.
We have been highlighting one teen a day on our social media accounts since quarantine began (Facebook: Town Shop and Instagram: townshopcamillus), reminding them of their profound qualities despite being able to exercise who they are regularly. Here are some of the responses from our “daily features”…
“Awe, thank you so much. I’m so glad that I found out about the Town Shop and was able to meet so many amazing people!!!” “Oh my god these pics brought back so many great memories. I love this so much. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” “Thank you. This made my day! I’m so glad to be a part of the Town Shop.” “Aww thank you. I appreciate it. This warms my heart.” “Thank you so much. I don’t think you understand how much I appreciate this.” “Am I allowed to cry?”
Reminding teens of who they are has had a domino effect, as many have started reminding others in their lives of their “feature worthy” qualities.
We encourage teens to continue to create and cope in healthy ways, hosting Zoom meetings and Open Mic nights to allow a platform for teens to share “where they are at” and be heard, and also receive feedback on the outlets they are utilizing. Teens have shared original music, songs, poetry, and made each other laugh with comedy and impressions. Being able to provide a “stage” for teens to continue to have a voice when they have more questions and concerns than ever is crucial.
We find reasons to celebrate, often. We bring teens care packages letting them know they are missed and thought of. We even include Town Shop incense which made many cry from how much they have missed the smell of the building, but also comforted them as they said it “smells like home.”
We have comforted the family and friends of a teen who has been hospitalized for mental-health reasons due to isolation, anxiety and depression. We tread with caution knowing that for teenagers, removing regular routines and relationships that they lean on is earth shattering. The Town Shop staff has provided resources to young people including links to productive websites, phone numbers to hotlines (including the NYS COVID-19 emotional support hotline), suggestions for daily routines and healthy socially distant activities to provide structure and support for emotional wellbeing.
Earth day has been a pillar of The Town Shop since the program’s inception; as such we promoted a socially distant Earth Day activity. Those who wished to participate were offered gloves and masks if they had none, and as we were unable to physically be together we encouraged young people to clean their own surrounding areas and send us photos of what they accomplished so we could post everyone’s personal Earth Day, together.
We have met new teens and welcomed them into our program virtually. We have been working with West Genesee guidance counselors who reached out to us to contact teens who seem to have a difficult time self-motivating and attending online classes. We are making masks for those in need, we have brought groceries and baked goods to the families of young people, provided musical instruments, books and art supplies to teens . We have coordinated with teens on designing a new Town Shop website, shared our art with them and allowed them to share what they have been creating with us. We have listened, comforted, and remained an unwavering sounding board. We have kept our composure when the world around them seems uncertain. We have continued to invest in the resilient, brilliant teens we have gotten to know, and we have not forgotten who they are.
The Town Shop exists in the ways we empower each other, the ways we bond with one another, and the ways we give each other permission to be ourselves even in times of fear. The Town Shop model is designed to create healthier young people for a healthier community; these teens have exuded that sentiment in a time when community exists largely in “the cloud” of social media. They have found ways to contribute, give back, and support one another at a time when staying in bed all day is a very real option. We have always emphasized honoring the young people we serve; throughout these largely unknown times I would like to say we have chosen to “doubled down” on that belief. Even in the midst of a pandemic and without the physical youth center being tangible, The Town Shop is very much an accessible place. It resonates throughout the community of young people that call upon it and contribute to it. We recognize all the identities that exist within the Town Shop still, and that is something truly worth honoring.
That was our April and May in a nutshell. The end of May and all throughout June, Phase 3 happened and Wesley and I were permitted to start prepping the program and the building for our eventual return. We fixed up, cleaned out, sanitized, painted and restored many things around the building. We cleaned the van, restrung kayak trailer and cleaned out boats, we emptied out our kitchen for a remodel (yay!!), we created guidelines and we kept our fingers crossed that we would be able to return to some kind of “normalcy” with teens and Town Shop scheduling.