Hispanic and Latinx youth are facing incredibly difficult times created by adults. They may be navigating racism, xenophobia, immigration discrimination, and the fear and toxic stress that comes with these experiences.

As a safe adult in their life, how can you support them?

Meet them where they are

You can’t step into someone else’s shoes or understand exactly what they are experiencing. But you can listen to what they carry, ease some of the pain, and remind them they aren’t alone.

One way we can do this is through trauma-responsive care.

Trauma-responsive care means adjusting how we support a young person based on what they need. Meet them where they are instead of expecting them to meet us where we are. It also means thinking about what safety, support, and healing might look like for that young person.

Their reality may look very different from yours.

At a young age, they may take on the role of a parent for their siblings. They may translate for their family, help adults navigate systems, or carry the worry of what might happen to a loved one.

These are realities that cannot be denied or fixed by simply asking a young person to look at things differently. These life-altering experiences can cause young people to grow up faster than expected. They take on responsibilities that no young person should have to carry alone.

What does trauma-responsive care look like?

Trauma-responsive care is more than knowing that a young person has experienced something difficult. It means changing how we respond because of what they may be carrying.

A young person may be angry, quiet, tired, distracted, or having trouble focusing. Instead of asking, “What is wrong with you?” ask yourself, “What might be happening to you?”

That small change can make a big difference.

Trauma-responsive care can look like:

• Listening before reacting. Give young people time to talk without rushing to fix the problem.
• Creating safety. Be clear about what will happen next. Keep your word and follow through.
• Offering choices. Give young people a voice whenever possible.
• Being flexible. They may not be ready to talk when you are. Give them time and try again.
• Looking beyond the behavior. Anger, shutting down, or acting out may be signs that something else is happening.
• Building trust. Show up, be consistent, and be someone they can count on.
• Respecting their story. Do not assume you know what they have experienced or what they need.

You may not be able to change what is happening around a young person. You may not be able to take away the problems they are facing.

But you can be the adult who listens.

You can be the adult who stays.

You can be the adult who helps them feel safe, seen, and supported.

Sometimes, being a safe adult is not about having the perfect answer. It is about making sure a young person does not have to face a difficult situation alone.

Walk hand-in-hand with young people

All people are connected. Our stories are all intertwined but high toxic stress can make someone feel isolated from community. Share and connect with youth so they understand they are not on the edge of society. Rather they are the heart of our world. It can often not feel that way.

Your heart is in the right place. If you’re struggling to start the conversations check out our blog on Helping Youth People Navigate Immigration Uncertainty.

As a YIPA member, you can take our working with at-risk youth training, Trauma-Responsive Ethics in Youth Work. Not a member yet? Learn how you can become a member now.