Bridging

Bridging is the term I use to describe the way that youth workers identify themselves as “between two worlds”, these worlds being the youth communities and cultures they work in and sometimes identify with as members, and the “adult” world of community work and social services or educational institutions they negotiate in order to integrate and develop their programs.

Jos: Youth Power

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"I can go into a classroom and ask the teacher to leave and watch everybody just let their hair down and relax and talk about things in front of me."

Christina: In-Between, and Angry

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"Why would they do it? Exactly, and they must have been upset for so many years, for generations, and then finally, like we’re going to peacefully protest. Fuck that. We’re going to burn some cars because we’re angry!"

Christina: Funding Issues

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"The challenge is always trying to come back to the work that we already do and validate that. I mean, why are we ashamed of this? Why do have we have to like - prove to all of these people that we’re just as good, it not better?"

Christina: Getting Into Schools

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'Well, with the school board, it’s, how will I describe it? It’s a non-relationship right now, like we’re not really with them. Ironically enough, the ministry wants us to be in a relationship with them. They’re like, “You guys need to date the EMSB. When are you guys going for dinner?” And we're like, "We’ve been waiting to go for dinner for a long time!"'

Christina: Youth in Context

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"I mean, in some cases, they give me the, “Oh my God. You’re so amazing. You’re so young. Oh my God, you’re so young.” And I feel like they’re going to like pinch my cheeks. I’m kind of creeped out by it."