What It Feels Like To Work Your Butt Off For A Year To Build An Amazing And Effective Program, Only To Have To Close It Due To Lack of Funding:

< Hint, you feel like that guy.

When Someone Says, "You Know, I Think I'd Like To Try Social Work. What is It Like?"

This isn't something you try. As Yoda said, "Do or do not. There is no try."

When, On Top Of Your Normal Job, You Are Also Handed The 30 Volunteers That Everyone Forgot Were Coming In To Help Today, And Now You Have To Find Something To Occupy Them:

Umm... Anyone want to... uh... paint the basement?

When It Suddenly Dawns On Your Clients That You Have An Entirely Separate Life Outside Of Your Job:

"You mean you don't just crawl under your desk to sleep and then crawl out in the morning?"

When You Realize That You Just Said The Words, "We Don't Use Yogurt As A Weapon!" And Meant It:

Unwritten Rule Of Social Work #497: If It Is Slimy, Sticky Or Wet And Not Yours, Don't Touch It!

The Lesson That Needs To Be Taught To Every Person Entering A Helping Profession Of Any Kind:

There will be wonderful days too, I promise!

When Someone Says That If A Homeless Person Doesn't Want To Be Homeless Anymore, They Should Just Go Get A Job:

Exactly where should they find sustainable employment? The market is hard out there for people without addictions, mental health issues, criminal records or gaps in their work history. Add in the fact that they are homeless and without reliable transportation and you tell me where they will be able to make a living wage?

When You Find And Claim The One Working Stapler:

No more Scotch-taping my documents together!

When Someone, Who Is Not A Social Worker, Tells Me They Had A Hard Day Because One Person Made A Single Mean Comment To Them:

I was told to, "Go to Hell!" five times before I had lunch today!

When The Executive Director Really Wants Everyone In Your Agency To Go To The Big Fancy Fundraiser... And Pay $125.00 Per Ticket:

Hmm... I work to make money... then I just give the money back to the place I work... When I can't make rent next month, I can camp out under my desk, right?

When A Massive Argument Breaks Out Among Your Clients That Takes Over An Hour To Settle Down, And You Notice One Of Your Clients Off In A Corner Looking Like This:

You started this, didn't you?

What It Feels Like Trying To Find A Physical Case File That Has Been In Storage For Five Years:

Well, by law they have to have kept it in the building. So, if we're counting the crawlspace, I have three floors, thirty-four offices, three break rooms, six bathrooms, a child care center and the roof where this one file could be. No big deal.

My Morning Ritual Around The First Pot Of Brewing Coffee At The Office:

When You Actually Have A Project For Your Interns:

Seriously, they can't all be in the bathroom at once.

To All Of Those Case Managers, Counselors, Advocates And Social Workers Working With Our Homeless And Disenfranchised Veterans:

Happy 4th of July everyone!

Remember to be conscious of combat veterans suffering from PTSD in your area. Fireworks can be a giant trigger, so if you know a combat veteran, please make sure that they are okay today.

When You Transition Jobs And Have To Say Goodbye To All Of Your Awesome Coworkers and Clients:

I will miss you WOC team!