Being a Veteran in the RHY Field

By: TC Cassidy, MPA, M.Div., CYC-P, Director of Technical Assistance / HTR3 Project Director, RHYTTAC / National Safe Place Network

When I was asked to write this blog as a veteran of the United States military and the RHY field, I struggled to find a balance between recognizing military veterans and recognizing veterans of the RHY field.

In recognition of military veterans I can think of no better words than those spoken by President Barack Obama:

“For their service and sacrifice, warm words of thanks from a grateful nation are more than warranted, but they aren't nearly enough. We also owe our veterans the care they were promised and the benefits that they have earned. We have a sacred trust with those who wear the uniform of the United States of America.” 

In recognition of "veterans" of the RHY field I have tried to string together some words that address your service with one of our country's most vulnerable populations. I believe the reason many of us are "veterans" of the field is our core belief in the truth found in the words of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower:

"Fortunately for us and our world, young people are not easily discouraged. The hopes of the world rest on the fresh outlook of young people."

Our service in the child and youth care field, with runaway and homeless youth, provides opportunities for children, youth and young adults accessing our services to "change the world" just as our 2015 National RHY Grantees Conference tagline states. Our service also gives us the opportunity to become "veterans" of the RHY field and to honor the service of "veterans" that have gone before us to guide our work.

Some of the veterans that come to mind for me are people the field has lost in recent years: Pamela Johnson, Mark Krueger, and Ron Mortenson. I was fortunate to know and learn from each of these "veterans"; I was fortunate to call them colleagues, mentors, and friends. I could write pages about the impact Pam, Mark, and Ron had on me and my work.

Other "veterans" of the field are going to be sitting in a room at the 2015 Runaway and Homeless Youth Grantees Conference in a few days. I am fortunate to call you colleagues, mentors, and friends. I look forward to meeting you there to continue our work to end youth homelessness and provide opportunities for youth to change the world.

I hope each of you find an opportunity to connect with a "veteran" of the field that has impacted your work - at conference, by phone, email, Skype, Twitter, Facebook - to let them know how they have influenced your work with children, youth, young adults and families.

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