When we give someone our time, we give them our most valuable commodity.  And, youth, especially, perceive receiving attention as being valued.  In fact, they will take any attention, even if it is for errant behaviour.  The best way to teach young people that they are valuable and meaningful is to offer them uninterrupted attention.  By that simple yet powerful act, we are showing young people that it isn't what they can do for us that matters.  What matters is their inalienable right to unconditional love.

This is the deepest longing of our young people today, consistent, transparent relationship - not a new programme or curriculum to tell them what to do or what they should value, but a caring compassionate adult who will walk the path to wholeness with them.  Jerry Goebel reminds us that the greatest statement we make to young people is to spend time with them - and he lives this himself in training mentors to work with disconnected youth.