09/17/2024
Sara McDaniel is one of Koinonia’s amazing social worker/clinicians for our Homes For Teens program. She mainly works with girls on probation or in the adoption assistance program.
What is your favorite thing about working with teenagers?
“There is something so amazing about this time of adolescent development, because it's a time when teens begin to understand their place in the world and how the world responds to them. Despite being labeled as self-centered, they're incredibly smart and actively seeking their space. They absorb and engage with their environment at an impressive rate, yet often don't get the credit they deserve. I also love how unapologetically themselves they are, whether shy or boisterous, testing limits and embracing who they are. They're just awesome.”
We are advocating for the idea that TEENS ARE KIDS. What are your thoughts on this concept?
“What I often see is the struggle between treating teens as children while expecting them to act like adults, which can be very confusing for them. They want love, support, and structure—just like any child—but it looks different at this age. Especially with youth in foster care or those who've experienced trauma, they often haven’t had the chance to just be kids. Giving them that space can be incredibly empowering for them.
Teenagers can be challenging because their world is challenging. But if we create a safe space for them, they become incredibly fun to engage with, they can teach us about the world and ourselves—if we give them the space to do so.”
Sara, you are amazing. Thank you for your compassion and your dedication to making a difference in the lives of teenagers!
