A bass-driven hip hop song blares from the stereo, drowning out the vacuum, which a young man uses as a dance partner, spinning it around the living room. Several of his peers stand in a semi circle around the stereo and show off their unique styles of dance—precise moves, intricate footwork, or complicated tricks—while others cheer as they wipe the windows, dust furniture, or wash dishes.
This may not sound like a typical night of doing chores, for a small group of youth at Mercy Home, cleaning and dancing go hand in hand. Program staff used to rush this chore-time tradition, encouraging the guys to finish cleaning so that they could enjoy more freetime for the night. But now they encourage the nightly dance party.
There is, after all, a therapeutic value in the ritual nightly chores, and the special flair that these young men have added to them helps them in a variety of important ways. Like any parent, Mercy Home sets aside a part of its young people’s evenings for a routine of chores that help promote the feeling of stability and a sense of responsibility. These are critical values to provide for kids whose home lives have not always provided them. The consistency and structure that Mercy Home provides gives youth the space to learn appropriate behaviors, while helping them feel safe and secure. “Cleaning the home helps the guys learn how to take care of their living spaces,” said Rachel Kaiser, a youth care worker.
As it turns out, doing a little dance in the process isn’t such a bad thing either. “The cultural and social benefits of their dances take precedence over a more traditional chore time,” Kaiser said. “These young men create community in sharing their talents, their favorite music, and in bonding over their different interpretations of the songs.” By sharing experiences in community, the group fosters growth in individuals.
