While walking towards the Soup kitchen I asked – Do you know the difference between an social outcast and the society accepted?
I explain that we’re all society accepted until we cross that thin line.
It began to rain and I directed the kid’s attention to the poor souls who were hiding from the wet weather.
They were lining against a building to escape the rain.
These people have no where to go because they’re labeled as the social outcast.
I’m certain that many would say the same about me but I strongly refuse to turn to drugs and alcohol to escape my problems.
Of course sometime, I could use a good old fashion drunk!!!...lol
Once around the corner where the Soup Kitchen is located?
One guy shouted at another individual. In a drunken rage shouted - YOU F@C@ING ASS@OLE!!!! and WHAM!!!! punched the guy across the face.
I told the young kid – Now? That’s your social outcast!!!!
I told the kid to look at the poor people faces in the line up.
I would say that 98% of the individuals who goes at the Soup Kitchen are very good people. They just have personal problems.
The kid enjoyed himself and I believe that it was a great eye opener for him.
The kid supposedly has ADD or ADHD. We’re not sure! But who cares? The problem to be mis-diagnose as a child is that your label by society and that's not a good thing. You know the rest of the story.
This was his third visit as a volunteer and he really enjoys working with the dishwasher.
He also made coffee. There's always something to do at the Kitchen.
While waiting for the dishes to arrive? I flatly told him- You drop out of school and turn to alcohol and drugs?
This is your future.
He quickly learned that living in his little room with his loving family is much better than living on the streets.
I truly believe that every kid should volunteer at the Soup Kitchen for a few weeks.
It sure would be a great eye opener for our youths.
7 comments:
Charlie:
I think that maybe we should divert some of the education budget to just such an exercise that you completed with this young lad.
I am sure that he and all the spoiled kids (mine included) could use a lesson in the real world of those less fortunate.
I think your actions would make a nice addition to the D.A.R.E. program and maybe a little more effective!
Thanks and keep up the good work!
Amen to that. In ontario the mennonites have programs like that in their schools, where they actually go out and do volunteer work in the communities around Toronto. When I think of how much of my time was wasted in the classroom it makes me angry. A quarter of the day should be in exercise, a quarter learning computer programs, a quarter actually DOING things like trades, and a quarter for the other. Whats the good of teaching math, physics, and geology to kids who are going to end up in the service industry?
By the way, good article charles, but in this day and age I think you should change your first line away from "I picked up this 12 year old kid" That don't sound so good my friend:)
That's my French talking....lol....I'm not worried because that's the mother on the front blog.....
Nice article Charles, I think that we need to really go after the government and not stop until they listen to the citizens who elected them into power. the Fact of the matter is, that the system dosen't have the slightest Idea of how to properly deal with the problems of those in our society who are living on the streets. There is an MLA who comes to volunteer his lunch hour at the Soup Kitchen and that is wonderful, but where is the better standard of living and assistance to get of of the substance abuse. I am not saying that they simply do not care, every plate of food served, every kind word spoken by a volunteer is a gesture of common courtesy and compassion to those in our society that have little or nothing at all. and also to everyone in our society.
I would say that instead of the elected officials playing politics and goofing around among themselves on the tax-payers hard earned money. they need to start working together for the betterment of all of the People in New Brunswick, whether they are currently living on the street, or in fancy penthouses or low income rooming houses or apartments.
Every person whether they are wealthy or on the margins of society deserves a decent standard of living and to have their concerns properly addressed.
Michael G. McKay. Fredericton, New Brunswick. Canada.
Hi, is the kid and his mom ok with his pics being here? Along with his ADHD diagnosis?
The world is tough on "labeled" kids...
Charles:
The blog today is great and very thoughtful. You're absolutely right....every child should volunteer there. You're doing more for him than you will ever know.
Merci beaucoup, my friend!
Dawn
Yes I think it should be manitory to go to a soup kitchen, seniors group, disabled group, drug and alcohol rehabilation groups and many other exposures of our society that will open our students minds of what really is going on.
Also before a students graduates they should know how to complete a tax return for a student, parent and senior. This is math and so much more; they will know this so they don't have to pay someone or depend on someone to fill it out.
It is discouraging when there is a lot taken in school that doesnot help them in the reality of life.
Also manitory for a coarse in parenting and planning meals. I'm not talking a light discussion but they have to know the basics and actually do it. We all have to cook and someday take care of ourselves or family.
We should know the basics of banking, insurance, RRSP's, interests and buying or saving for a home. These things could all be used in math classes and also business coarse at the middle school and high school. They need to do the practical and then they can move on to more abstract things. Our society is so confusing because there is much theory and where is the common sense.
Most of us should know all of these things before graduating and it should be manitory; Shakespeare is. Bottom line if our children want to know certain things they have to pay to go to Community College or University. I'm just stating they should know all of this in High School and they deserve nothing less.
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