When You're Talking About An Important Social Issue And Someone Tells You, "Just Cool It, It's All Ok:"

Have a safe Labor Day everyone!

When You Tell Your Currently Plastered Client That You Were Able To Get The Detox Van To Come Pick Them Up:

After Spending A Year As A Domestic Violence Victim Advocate:

People are just awful, I like Netflix and birds!

The Number One Fear Clients Have When They Are Going Through Job Coaching:

What It Feels Like Trying To Get A Client Who Has Multiple Previous Evictions Housed Again:

What Most Social Workers Wish Would Happen Anytime Ill-Informed Politicians Start Talking About The Homeless:

Well, if they weren't living off the syst-- *Bag in face*

This Is Pretty Much A Visible Metaphor For Those Trying To Find Housing And Get Off Of The Streets:

It's much harder than most people realize to pull oneself out of homelessness, give them a break.

What Happens Internally When You're At A Social Gathering And Someone Starts Mocking The Population You Work With:

Outwardly you tell them where to go, what they can ride there and who all can go with them.

How The Older Generation Of Homeless Often Feel About The Newer, Younger, Generations Of Homeless:

"I mean, we did drugs, but at least we were respectful about it, not like these young ones!" - Actual Quote From A Client

What Happens When Gung-Ho Interns Try To Take On State System On Their Own:

You were stuck on hold for three hours listening to the 'Chariots of Fire Theme' played on marimbas? I did try to warn you. How's your head?

What Generally Happens At About 5:15 PM On Friday Right After Getting Home From Work:

 

When A Politician Claims To "Love Children" But Then Votes To Cut Funding For Food Stamps And WIC Programs:

So you love kids... but you don't care if they eat or not. Hmm...

My Reaction Whenever The News Refers To Homeless Or "Street-Kids" As "Rejects:"

When That Piece Of Legislation You Have Fought For For Years To Protect Your Clients Finally Passes:

Your Reaction When, After Massive Funding Cuts, Your Executive Director Suggests That You Can Manage Two Other Programs Because, "They're Kind Of Like Your Current One, Right?"

What It Sometimes Feels Like Trying To Motivate Clients Towards Positive Goals:

It's Called Job Security:

That Moment When You Realize You Get More Mail From Your Clients Who Are In Prison And Jail Than Anyone Else (Including Junk Mail):

What It's Like Watching Interns Get Fired Up Over Social Issues They Just Learned About A Week Ago That You've Been Fighting For Years:

Keep howling! One day it will be more powerful, I promise!

When You Have To Explain To A Politician In An E-mail Why Cutting Funding For Free Meals For Elementary School Kids Is A Terrible Idea:

I usually have to write political advocacy letters and e-mails four times, the first three drafts would probably get me on the FBI's watch list.