Acknowledging that people can only take risks when they experience safety, the Safe Environment Program had to be the essential foundation for any program. It has been a center point in my ministry. Hungry for knowledge, I immersed myself in education. This provided the tools needed to build this safe foundation. Life lessons learned during the early events in my ministry only solidified this belief.
After I took the Safe Environment course I realized it helped me understand my position as a Director of Youth Ministry and also a trainer of adults in our parish. I needed the training to understand the important role that had to be defined as part of our parish staff. In the steps I took to imagine and define this role I created a philosophy. We walk in the image of God and we are called to lead, lead positively and lead hopefully.
The Diocese of San Bernardino has put together stepping stones for guidelines that lead to a safe environment for all. This program has been refined over the last few years, and the changes have worked. The Office of Youth Ministry offers Respecting Whom God has Made to focus on Bullying Prevention. Catholic Mutual provides Safety and Prevention videos and the Office of Catechetical Ministry has policies to guide us. All three work hand in hand to build healthy programs.
Youth look to us to be safe in the classroom, at retreats and at other events. Parents look to us as the whole Church when they drop off the children. I have looked back on the initial years when I started at Corpus Christi and my cross was heavy, heavy to the point where I felt I could not stand. I looked at the table before me. There I saw many gifts that could help me. The key gift was the Safe Environment Program, Virtus. I was so impressed. This program stands strong and each diocese that uses it builds a statue for safe guidelines, ones that feeds both staff and community. The tools were in front of me, all I had to do was pick them up.
With the support of Sister Cathy White and the Office of Child and Youth Protection, I have been able to stand tall for safety. With that trust I could now stand strong knowing I had a support system that continued to feed me. Over the years I have learned that I couldn’t build a youth program on my own. I know that I can stand on the strong shoulders of Sister Cathy and the Virtus program. I reach farther than I could have imagined. This was God’s blessing that brought to birth a new Youth Ministry. God’s blessing also allows me to aspire to something that I could never have imagined. The key in building our strong Ministry was set in a foundation of safety first. When that happens a strong structure follows.
Molina Erb is Youth Minister at Corpus Christi Parish in Corona.