So many people ask, “Girl, why do you do what you do –
Risking your safety, just to save a few.”
“Do you do it for the praise … for the credit …. for the raise?”
“Do you help those kids out of sympathy – I know they’ve had rough lives;
“Why on earth do you do what you do?
Can’t someone else give it a try?”
“Oh, I get it! You do what you do because you need a job ….”
“But surely you can find something else that doesn’t require you to work so damn hard”.
“I just don’t understand why it is you do what you do …
You’ve got mandatory overtime, crisis, TCI …. All these ridiculous trainings and meetings ….
It seems like your life is just passing you by”…
“So, tell me friend – why do you work so hard?
So often setting aside your personal life for these kids who have no regard…
Not for life, not their parents, not their case workers – and not even you!
So, tell me please!! Because I just don’t know why you do what you do”
So, I smiled at my friend – because, she really doesn’t know;
There’s no greater reward than watching these young people grow.
So no, it’s not about the money … it’s not about the gifts or the praise ….
It’s for that 1 time out of 100 that kid had a good day.
It’s rewarding enough to watch them struggle – just as long as they try;
To hear them recite advice you thought they weren’t listening to
That one time you sat with them all night while they cried.
So, it’s never about a job – this has to be a career;
Not everyone is equipped to touch the same lives we reach while we work here.
Sure, our work is busy – with its own difficulties and such;
But how can you possibly deny help to a kid who needs your help so much.
You may not have understood it before, unless you live this as your truth.
So, let me help you understand why it is, that at Nexus, we do what we do.
We fight for these kids – because they deserve it.
When the world has turned their backs on them – somebody has got to show them that they’re worth it.
We teach these kids – because someone once taught us.
True growth requires inspiration, so giving back is an absolute must.
The truth is, we are all here as a matter of choice ….
To be able to give each of our kids the chance to finally have a voice.
So why? Why do we do what we do?
We stand on the values and principles of our Cornerstones….
Honesty ….
Responsibility …
Courage ….
Care and Concern ….
These are all effective tools – how could you possibly go wrong?
So, why? Why do we do what we do?
Because our kids are worth it!
And they deserve it!
But then again, so do we –
To stand side-by-side with a team who supports the same beliefs.
We are each Agents of Change;
We show up day - after day – after day
Paving the path for troubled lives so they can finally learn a different way.
So why? Why is it that do we do what we do?
Ask yourself …. Who are we not to?
This poem was written by Monique S. Davis, Aftercare Coordinator and Interim Clinical Director at Nexus-Indian Oaks, an agency of Nexus Family Healing.