A New Experience

I was 16 years old when I started working with St. Stephen’s Youth Programs. That was seven years ago. This summer, Liz and Kasey at the South End site asked me to step out of my comfort zone and try something different. They thought it was time for me to try working in another location and expand my responsibilities. They suggested that I try my hand at being a teen staff manager.

I was a little hesitant because I had never worked with teens before. I was nervous about how I would be received and whether I’d be able to connect with them, because my previous responsibilities involved working with younger children age 5 to 12. I would supervise them in several activities, including art, physical awareness, field trips, and help with homework.

Now that I have been working in this teen staff manager position for a little over a month, I am glad that I have had this opportunity. Throughout this summer of being a teen staff manager, my responsibilities include having weekly meetings where we do check-ins, team building, and discuss the weekly happenings. We also have trainings on healthy relationships, public speaking and racism. Some of the trainings are more popular than others, but overall I think that the teens and I get something out of them. My experience in this position hasn’t been all positive though. I struggled a bit with communicating with some of the teens. However, we seemed to have worked it all out and I am happy to say that I am glad I embarked on this experience.

By Brianna Hall, Teen Staff Coordinator at Holy Spirit

Brianna Hall has held many positions at St.Stephens youth program. She has beena Counselor in Training, a Site Assistant, a Lead Counselor and at present, she is a Teen Staff Coordinator. She recently graduated from Urban College of Boston with an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. Her passions include the education of children as well as positive uplifting attitude.