My New Job

After working my first 40 hours I can safely say that so far I LOVE MY JOB! I am working as a addictions recovery case worker. Basically we have a floor in a 7 story building with 22 beds for men who are mostly from the downtown eastside. They have completed detox from their drug(s) of choice and have voiced their own motivation to enter treatment. If their treatment is court mandated they are not admitted to us, so basically these guys are staying with us because they want to. We spend a couple hours in the morning at a group session. I will soon be facilitating these groups on my own which will be fun and good experience. Each caseworker has their own clients that they look after. So out of the 22 guys I will likely have 6 or 7 who have me as their caseworker. This involves one on one meetings with them weekly helping them make their goals for each month of their three month stay. Then basically I am around to chat and see how everyone is doing while I assess new referrals from doctors, hospitals, detox centres, and individual admissions.

I wasn't sure how working with just men would be. I was warned that these guys could be pretty hard up and angry making it not the most pleasant experience to be going to work for 12 hours at a time. I'm sure these days will come along but so far I am loving it. I can honestly say I have a little place in my heart for each of the guys so far. One guy talked about wanting to "volunteer with the kittens at the SPCA" and another one had teddy bears on his bed when I went in to do room checks. Both times I got goosebumps and couldn't help but smile.

Working at this job has made me realize that these guys do have serious issues but that doesn't mean that they don't have years of experiences and stories behind them. Each other them has so many special things about them. I can't say enough good things. I just love it!

This is the first time I feel like I am doing something that is really contributing to society. I am helping people (which I loveeeee to do), and doing what I can to make a difference in someone's life.

I know it's early days and there will be bumps along the way but as for now I'm pleased as punch..!