Work - YouLookFab Forum

I was very hesitant to take a job in homeless services, and I was very overwhelmed the first few months after I started. Nobody else at our location does a job like mine, so I had to figure evout on my own. There have been alot of changes recently, with more coming...BUT I feel like I have found my footing and my place within the organization. I'm good at my job and I enjoy working with my clients. I don't need accolades to know that I'm doing a good job (the clients whom I have placed into permanent housing prove that), but it is nice when they happen. This week, I was announced as Employee of the Month and I also impressed our new head of Behavioral Services with my abity to whip up and format a three month agenda for my LifeSkills group (which I will now lead 2 times per week) in a 24 hour period. She praised both the work and my work ethic, so that was really nice to hear. I'm glad that my first "real" job has been with an organization that gives positive feedback and appreciates me.

2 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

Woo hoo! This is spectacular! Congratulations and thanks so much for sharing your good news with us!

slim cat

Congratulations! Thank you for doing such important and difficult job with grace and style ( enjoying your posts ).

Stagiaire Fash

Congratulations—keep going!

Inge

(website)

Moderator

That's amazing, congratulations!! Sounds like a very difficult but rewarding job, and I'm glad you are feeling at home and appreciated in the organization!

Style Fan

That's wonderful! Your work sounds very rewarding and inspiring.

Bonnie

Wonderful news. It's so important to fit work that is fulfilling.

Jenni NZ

That’s wonderful. So much good for the women!
Why do you call it your first “real” job?

Gigi

So good to hear! Your presence is much needed. What a joy to be able to help others and also be recognized for your dedication.

Sal

That’s really positive to read - well done!

Suz

Wow, congratulations! You're doing meaningful and important work AND doing it extra-well. What good news.

Barbara Diane

Congrats on finding such a good fit doing such meaningful work!

chewyspaghetti

JenniNZ- I graduated from college in 2020. This is thef irst job I've had in my field, thefirst one that required education, and the first one that gave me a M-F schedule, and fulltime regular hours. In the past, I have worked retail and customer service jobs so this is very different.

JAileen

Congratulations on a job well done!

kellygirl

That's wonderful, Khris! So many people seem discontent with their jobs so it's refreshing to hear something different. Congrats on doing a good job. Sounds like you have found your calling! Your organization is lucky to have you!

Greyscale

Congratulations! I'm glad they appreciate you. I know how exhausting working in homeless services can be (I have a friend in that field) and thank you for doing that work.

rachylou

Congrats! Signs you’re on a good path!

Janet

Congrats! That’s fantastic.

Looking at your reply to JenniNZ—your experience in the minds of jobs your clients are hoping to start probably gives you insights to do this job better than you could have otherwise. I get that the pay structure, etc we’re different, but that work also matters and has dignity.

It definitely gives me insight, but those jobs have no dignity whatsoever- and that is why we're seeing many of the issues we are in this country. You can't be dignified when you have to ask to use the restroom...when you are required to stand on hard concrete floors for 8 hours, even when you coukd doypur job sitting....when every minute of your shift you must be "productive"...and you get in trouble for looking at your cell phone to check alerts....and on top of that, it's almost impossible to get a fulltime position, and impossible to live off of those wages, even at fulltime hours. The best of these places that I worked at was a Swedish home goods store (I won't say the name). Even there, anyone who had to pay rent had a second job. A fulltime position would come open, and people would slit each other's throats to try to get it. Not being able to afford decent housing, and not quifying for any help is where the working poor land. It's no wonder that so many people end up facing homelessness.

Anonymous

Sounds like the job is great for you, and you for your clients! The life skills class sounds like a lot of fun to teach. My first "real job" after being self employed 15 years was human services. I've done similar work for 8 years. The nice thing is the variety of work, and it's generally a very positive atmosphere with lots of room for growth. A flexible mindset is a definite must

Thanks for your reply. That’s great that you used education to get ahead and get a better type of job where you can do the good you are now doing. It is very sad about “working poor”- we have that issue in this country also. They keep saying we’ve become a low-wage economy.

Cardiff girl

Good for you.Sounds like a very rewarding thing to do.

RobinF

Congratulations! Sounds like you do a very important and fulfilling job.

kkards

thank you for working in this under appreciated field, for not just try but for actually doing something for and with the people that many of us just walk by, while declaring something must be done
And now nice to get recognition from your boss and your peers

Laurie

It costs managers and companies nothing to reward employees with praise. The value of recognition, either 1:1 or as employee of the month, or another public forum, is invaluable. You sound so motivated to continue to do the exceptional work you are already doing! Not sure why it's so hard to come by this kind of praise and motivation, but it really is absent in many fields and organizations.

By receiving this positive feedback, and responding in such a productive way, you are getting invaluable training should you become a manager in the future.

Well done, and let me also echo my appreciation for the work that you are doing.

This might sound off topic, but a movie came to mind that you might relate to and enjoy - "A Street Cat Named Bob". It's a true story about a homeless drug addict in the UK. His counselor, who helps him find housing, is an sympathetic and good person. Getting off the streets - and Bob the cat - changed his life.

Jenn

Congratulations. It sounds like you've found your calling. I really respect and admire what you're doing, especially living face-to-face with the homelessness situation here in LA County. The number of unhoused people literally living on the street here is nothing short of a tragedy.

Bijou

CS congratulations - it must be a hard job.

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