Julian was invited into our after-school programs through his cousins this past summer. His aunt was thankful that she was able to register him in camp as she normally helped take care of him in the summer. Julian was highly active and loved playing sports and games with the other kids at camp last summer. This high energy and competitive spirit helped him excel in sports despite being one of the smallest kids in camp. Julian has an innate desire to help others, especially staff and volunteers, and a heart of justice and loyalty to stand up for others.
When Mila and Carmen, the Outreach Workers at Kingston-Galloway Community, first met Julian, he struggled at adapting to the rules and expectations of the program as it was completely different from what he was used to. Moreover, they challenged him to manage his emotions in healthier ways as he was short-tempered and quick to anger. As he began to build trusting relationships with the staff and volunteers, they learned that his outburst of emotions was often due to a compiling effect of other things going on in his life.
They tried to find a balance between grace and discipline as they sought to understand how to best meet his needs while ensuring that they maintained a safe and welcoming space for everyone. Like any child, he did not react well when facing the consequences of his actions. The staff and volunteers continued to embrace him with Christ-like love in order to affirm that he is still loved. They reminded him that we can love and forgive one another because Jesus loved and has forgiven us first.
This year Mila has had the opportunity to volunteer at the local school to support both students and teachers. This also means that she gets to see the kids in our TCM after-school programs at school. They always greet her with smiles and hugs and Julian is one of them. He wasn’t able to join our afterschool program during this school year because of his family pick-up schedule. At school, Mila was pleasantly surprised because she has seen positive changes in his behaviour. He is often found helping the staff, defending the weak and learning to express his emotions in healthier ways. He is now more open to being reasoned with before reacting and is slower to act in anger. Even though it may take a long time, he is slowly trying to be more patient and manage his emotions.
Mila believes that Julian’s small changes in behaviour are evidence of God at work to soften his heart. Despite staff having difficult conversations with him about following rules, Mila was surprised he remembers how much the leaders cared for him and appreciated everything they have done for him. He often reminisces about the good times he had at camp— field trips, new fun activities and eating yummy food. Whenever Mila sees him at school he will often say, “Do you remember when…?” and go on to list various things he did over the summer.
This year during March Break, Julian returned to our day camp! He especially enjoyed playing basketball, bowling and cooking food. Although he still struggled with his emotions, Mila and Carmen encouraged him not to be discouraged and gave him strategies to succeed. One day, Julian made the smart decision to remove himself from basketball to play in a quieter environment when he knew that he was going to get upset. Julian knew to find Mila when he got upset and it brought joy to her heart knowing that she was someone he could trust to express his emotions in a safe and healthy way.
Mila and Carmen pray that Julian will know that he is fully loved and fully known by God and that he may know that God can give him the ability to show love, patience, kindness, goodness, patience and self-control. We hope that Julian is reminded of what he learned about God at camp and may one day accept Jesus personally as His Lord and Saviour.