I started at SCN as a young person myself when I was 15. I came here because I was struggling mentally and wanted to feel understood. At 18, I became a volunteer while studying Social Work. I wanted to give other young people the same sense of security that was given to me when I needed it. In 2021, Leon Gijzen, Tijs de Jonge, and I took over the foundation with the goal of ensuring SCN would continue to exist.
Working with young people is a special field because you can make a difference that can have a lifelong impact. I believe that young people today have a very hard time because so much is expected of them. I want to offer a safe heaven where they are seen for who they truly are and what they want to do. I also know how difficult it can be to feel unheard or misunderstood, and I don't want them to experience that.
We had a young person who acted very tough. He showed no emotion and was often joking around. One day, we were playing a game, and he grabbed my shoulders in a way that hurt me. He was very shocked and ran away. I followed him and asked what was wrong. He said he didn't want to hurt me and called himself a stupid kid for doing it, saying he always messes up. We then had a conversation about why he thought so poorly of himself and why he said such awful things about himself. We had a beautiful and open talk where he shared a lot about his struggles. From that moment on, he started coming to me whenever he felt bad, and his whole demeanor began to change. He became more and more himself, letting go of that "tough" act.
This was a really beautiful moment for me because for him, it was a normal reaction for someone to get angry, and I was able to show him that it's not okay and that talking about it can make a big difference. It was also a beautiful moment because I saw him opening up to me.
You often work with a young person for a long time. During that time, you work with them to achieve the goals they have in mind and that can help them move forward. Change isn't made overnight, nor is it a miracle when something suddenly improves. Just think about how difficult it can be for an adult to change a habit or something they have learned. Making that change requires a consistent factor, which is what we provide.
