Being an "administrator" means all those regular things like HR, management, finances and budget. But being an administrator at an NGO that works with homeless youth means a whole lot of stuff that probably doesn't apply if, for example, I worked at a bank. Youth struggling to make ends meet, struggling to keep families together.
We had a session on integrated mental health services for homeless youth with our local children's hospital, health centre and mental health and/or homeless NGOs. Six youth participated. I learned afterward that three of them had spent the previous night on the streets and came to a 9am session with powerpoints and presentations. None of us "professionals" had spent the previous night trying to keep warm or find some food. There is a righteous rage that threatens to consume me at times.
In any case, I write this after uploading all these pictures. They stand in stark contrast, evidence of the beauty and joy of friends, family, home, good food, nature, this city.
Peace out, Miia
Moon can peer into souls.
Neighbours and friends Silas and Louise cooking up a storm for American Thanksgiving.
A cat's tongue is faster than a camera's shutter.
Lise and David pondering Settlers strategy...
Voila! The organic happy chicken from NS Valley donated to our household by our energy auditor. (Long story there.)
Much fun chez the park.
Untitled #345221
Apple cheeks.
This makes me so happy.
More birthday party. Good friends and mentors Jen and Jackson, David and Tim, Fiona
Dylan nearing the end - chocolate face and shirt untucked... a boy who had a blast.
Our neighbours came too with their kiddies.
Dylan welcomes Grandpa to the party.
Aunt Pam.
Cousin Tawnya and baby cousin Calla. Also neighbours!
2 comments:
I love all the pictures. Your job is draining at times, Miia, but believe me you would not want to leave it for the bank!!! Having been in the administrative end of things for 20 years in child welfare, I thought it would be great just to focus on my field of Human Resources. Wrong!! If you can even help a few children to a better life, it means so much.
Love to all. Hugs EB
The scrape doesn't seem to have slowed him down. I remember when Josh knocked one of his teeth loose at day care once. More traumatic for me than for him, I think.
I don't deal with the same kind of thing at my job as you do, but I do deal with young adults who don't always make good choices, and sometimes don't have good chances. It's sometimes hard for me to keep that in mind. You reminded me here of what I should be doing for my students.
Post a Comment