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Working as the manager for a group home proved to be the most educational job of my life to date. I have seen kids from every background and facet of life all end up in this place. The spoiled rich kid all the way down to the kid that has been dealing drugs since 8 years old to buy clothes.

I understand this is not technically juvenile corrections. I never carried pepper spray or a walkie talkie to keep in contact with other staff. However, these were criminal teenagers. The first day I met them was in an interview in juvenile hall to ask them about their life and what they expected from going to a group home.

The toughest thing to realize is you cannot save them all. It is an impossible mission. In a perfect place we could save half but, in the real world one out of ten will make it without a hitch. Most of them end up right back in the system after months in a group home. Most of them will keep their record going and never know what a life without probation means.

The best thing I can say to anyone going into this type of profession is to keep an open mind. There is always something to be learned from colleagues and even the kids. Once you believe that you know everything, you will either fail or end up with a major case of burn out.

Every person you encounter is different. They may have very similar stories and experiences. They all know the same people. They come from the same areas. But, they have a personality that will define them and explain them in a way that they try to keep hidden.

The best thing I ever learned when dealing with teenagers is that you will not be able to force them to do anything. Especially in a field where most of these kids have been taking car of themselves since a young age. Remember when dealing with them that they have the choice. That does not mean their choices will not effect them negatively but, it gives them the opportunity to decide what they are going to do in each situation.

When a teenager is asked to do things rather than told it gives them the choice. When you are in a place where you need them to do something, if you tell them that you need this to get done and if they decide not to do it that is their choice but "this" is what will happen. I have used this method countless times and with surprising results. I would never get upset or raise my voice but simply just give them the choice. Nine out of ten times, these kids would make the right decision.

In working with teenagers you can never underestimate how smart they really are. These are kids that have lived on the streets for a long time. So, even though they can't spell correctly and have a hard time reading they are smart kids. If you give them the chance to show you, you will be presently surprised.

If you do work in a group home or are thinking about going into the field. Please above all else remember that the experiences these kids have in these homes could very well be some of the best memories they will have in their life. Don't take it lightly that you get to be a part of making those memories with them.

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