Through social programmes

195. For some young people, especially those "at risk" or on the fringes of society, our point of entry into their service has a more clearly social character than the approaches mentioned above. With them and their families and, where possible, in collaboration with other groups and government programmes, we establish suitable programs and projects.

196. The services we offer include: homes for "street children"; institutions for the protection of minors and orphans; centres for young people in critical family situations; centres for helping broken families; projects for the disabled; services for ethnic minority groups, immigrants, and refugees; rehabilitation centres and programs for young people who are drug addicts or suffering from AIDS; and programs for helping youth who are imprisoned, who are former prisoners, or who are in trouble with the law.

197. We take measures to address the most immediate physical and material needs of such youth through preventive action and direct assistance. We try, however, to complement this type of action with suitable education strategies to increase their long-term capacity to manage for themselves.

198. Given the history of negative experiences such young people have often had, we make a special effort to create a stable environment in which they feel respected, trusted and loved. Through counselling and personal development programmes, and through small projects in which they can achieve, we seek to foster self-confidence and restore their sense of self-esteem.

199. We help young people with the skills and attitudes they need to integrate better into society. We create situations where they experience living and working together and where they are faced with the consequences of their actions. In this way we educate them concerning issues of personal freedom, their dependence on peer pressure, and their need to take responsibility for their own lives.

200. A special aspect of the integration into society of young people "at risk" is their relationship with their family. We give attention to the needs of the whole family unit, taking steps towards re-integration where possible and reconciliation where necessary.

201. We evaluate regularly the outcomes of our ministry, always seeking the best means of moving the young people to greater personal independence. Recognising our own limits in dealing with young people who are disturbed or in crisis, we seek to provide the help they need through external professional assistance.

202. We address their spiritual needs through being people of faith, hope and love for them and through speaking to them of God’s special love for the poorest and most neglected. We encourage inner change, coming from their experience of this unconditional love and from their growing acceptance and love of themselves.

203. We form their social conscience by raising their awareness of the often dehumanising situations they are in and by assisting them to become active in the transformation of their own circumstances and in community development. ¹⁵ We educate them in non-violent conflict resolution. We help them to understand their social, political and cultural context, and teach them elements of the Church's social doctrine. ¹⁶

204. Along with other persons and institutions, we accept an advocacy role on behalf of young people who are victims, or where their rights and well-being are concerned in any way, and on behalf of greater social justice generally. We communicate with our Province community regarding our experiences and the concerns that arise, seeking collective support where this is appropriate.

205. Before engaging in such ministry with children and young people "at risk" or on the fringe of society, we prepare ourselves personally, professionally, and pastorally. Likewise, we resource ourselves in these domains at regular intervals, linking with and contributing to suitable programmes of ongoing formation open to youth workers.

206. Such work makes demands on us for authenticity, balance and maturity. It moves us to greater simplicity in our lifestyle. We are aware that many times we see no immediate results of our efforts, or receive no social recognition. We sometimes experience frustration and a feeling of failure. Such realities force us to develop our personal spirituality, our faith that it is the Lord’s work we are doing and our hope in His promises to those who work "in his name". ¹⁷ It is a spirituality of the Cross and the Resurrection that is capable of embracing the stories of suffering that these young people are living and sharing with us. ¹⁸

207. Working with young people whose lives are marked by extreme poverty, abuse, or traumatic experiences like violence, war, or family break-up, has an impact on our well-being as well. It can draw out of us talents and depths of humanity we would never otherwise know. But we can also experience unhealthy bodily, psychological and spiritual side effects. We need to address these for our own sakes, and for the sake of remaining professionally and apostolically effective.

208. We acknowledge the limitations of our own person and what we can do. We monitor our own reactions and share our experiences with our peers. Wherever appropriate, we seek professional supervision and personal counselling. We take time to step away from our work, to meet our spiritual needs, and to be in a totally different setting with others who are close to us.