As I was about to leave work today, Sister Melanie (our Executive Director)happened to be at the house for dinner. She told me she wanted to talk to me a moment before I left.
We went out into the garage to talk. I guess I'm the only one she is telling at the moment. She told me that she had offered Scott (the guy who was unjustly fired) his job back, and that they were meeting for lunch tomorrow. I guess she must have realized after seeing Darin for what he is that Scott was a better man than she knew. Scott was so obviously set up by Darin--at least to those of us who know the dynamics of the house.
Scott said he wasn't sure whether he'd accept the offer as he may have a better offer on the table, but his heart is very much with the guys at our house.
I'm really hoping he comes back. It sucks being the only male staff. It's good to have the womans' touch over at the house, but when a (boys) place is run mostly or exclusively by women, the boys suffer. Many women who work with kids try to remake boys into what they see as well behaved children--in other words, good little girls. I'm sure that statement may offend some women but it's the truth. It's simply a matter of not understanding what is normal behavior for a boy.
At any rate, as long as they're going to hire someone else, I'd rather it be another man--preferably Scott.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
SCORE
I got the position.
The meeting was mostly just to ensure that I was committed to taking the live-in position. They had the offer and my new employment agreement all typed out and ready for me to sign, which I did. They offered me $1500 more per year than I was making when I initially came on last year as a live-in Residential Counselor. On paper it looks like less than I currently make as the dollar figure is $1500 less per year than my live-out salary. But even just accounting for rent I won't have to pay it amounts to $3000 more per year. Add utilities, phone, and internet and it becomes $4800 more per year. Consider what I'd spend on laundry and it jumps to around 5200 more per year. On top of that, add food costs and gas savings. Other benefits are free YMCA membership, free cable TV (I don't currently subscribe), etc. And since I'm only taxed on my actual income and not the fact that I'm given room and board, I save in taxes.
I told the boys this evening. I know they were pretty happy about it, but one boy was really excited. I knew he would be as I think right now I'm one of the few people in the house who doesn't treat him like crap. The other boys all pick on him and since he's irritating, some of the new staff end up jumping down his throat over the littlest things.
I think my teammates are pretty happy too. It means more hours (the trap of salary) for me and increased responsibility (all good for the resume) and they all do look to me for guidance since I know the boys very well already, having worked with them for a year now.
We had an all-staff meeting for all three houses today at the office. Afterward, my teammates and I had an impromptu meeting to revamp the point system. We ended up coming up with something we could all be happy with. Afterward we all went out to lunch and just got more acquainted.
Yeah, it was a good couple of days.
The meeting was mostly just to ensure that I was committed to taking the live-in position. They had the offer and my new employment agreement all typed out and ready for me to sign, which I did. They offered me $1500 more per year than I was making when I initially came on last year as a live-in Residential Counselor. On paper it looks like less than I currently make as the dollar figure is $1500 less per year than my live-out salary. But even just accounting for rent I won't have to pay it amounts to $3000 more per year. Add utilities, phone, and internet and it becomes $4800 more per year. Consider what I'd spend on laundry and it jumps to around 5200 more per year. On top of that, add food costs and gas savings. Other benefits are free YMCA membership, free cable TV (I don't currently subscribe), etc. And since I'm only taxed on my actual income and not the fact that I'm given room and board, I save in taxes.
I told the boys this evening. I know they were pretty happy about it, but one boy was really excited. I knew he would be as I think right now I'm one of the few people in the house who doesn't treat him like crap. The other boys all pick on him and since he's irritating, some of the new staff end up jumping down his throat over the littlest things.
I think my teammates are pretty happy too. It means more hours (the trap of salary) for me and increased responsibility (all good for the resume) and they all do look to me for guidance since I know the boys very well already, having worked with them for a year now.
We had an all-staff meeting for all three houses today at the office. Afterward, my teammates and I had an impromptu meeting to revamp the point system. We ended up coming up with something we could all be happy with. Afterward we all went out to lunch and just got more acquainted.
Yeah, it was a good couple of days.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Letter to the Bosses.
Since I hadn't heard much about the live-in position where I work and I know they're looking to make a decision soon, I decided it wouldn't hurt to nudge them a bit and pitch myself even further. So I sent the following e-mail.
Dear Katrina and Sister Melanie,
I haven’t heard much from you regarding the live-in position as of yet. In fact, the most I’ve heard is that you’re looking at a few different candidates.
As you go about making the decision, I hope you will keep several things in mind. Of course, first of those are that I have been working at the View Place house for over a year now, and I’ve worked hard to develop relationships with each of the scholars.
I did begin as a live-in staff. I left and went part time for some personal reasons, not the least of which was that I felt constantly criticized, talked down to, and undermined in front of the scholars by the other live-in counselor. I rarely have trouble getting along with anyone, so this is not normal for me. I tried to speak no ill of him at that time. Since then, I’ve tried to give him the benefit of the doubt and have even advocated for him on occasion as I choose to believe he doesn’t mean to come across the way he does. I want the focus of this letter to be positive, but I know the particular issue of my having left live-in before will come up.
I stayed part time due to my belief in the program and my belief that I could really make a difference in the scholars’ lives. There were times when I even rescheduled or canceled plans when I was needed to help out extra at the house due to my dedication to the cause. When I saw an opportunity to come back on full time, I went for it.
Now a live-in position has come open. Let me be so bold as to say that I am the person for that spot. The boys are going to need someone living in that they know, trust, and respect. They are going to need a male living in. Boys are no more comfortable having all women caring for them than girls are having all men caring for them. Boys have problems they won’t be comfortable talking to a woman about.
At this point, everybody is looking to me for my knowledge on the boys and the house routine. I have to advocate for the staff to the scholars, and I have to advocate for the scholars to the staff as well. I think I’m doing my share and then some, just out of necessity. That will all even out, but until the new staff and the scholars can get to know and respect each other I will end up being the liaison. I’m taking the initiative to take care of getting prescriptions filled, get scholars into activities, set medical and dental appointments, and get the vehicle maintenance up to date—all while trying to keep up with the regular house duties as well. That’s a lot to juggle, and will be much easier to focus on if and when I don’t have to switch focus each day from home to work to home to work to home to work (okay, you get the point).
As you said in my goals meeting, you haven’t begun to see what I’m capable of accomplishing. And I can accomplish so much more when my focus is not split.
Thanks for your consideration,
Al
Well, it appears that I did manage to kick the process into high gear. We're meeting Monday morning. They were discussing a few concerns which it appears I answered in my e-mail already. It pretty much seems like I've got the position.
Dear Katrina and Sister Melanie,
I haven’t heard much from you regarding the live-in position as of yet. In fact, the most I’ve heard is that you’re looking at a few different candidates.
As you go about making the decision, I hope you will keep several things in mind. Of course, first of those are that I have been working at the View Place house for over a year now, and I’ve worked hard to develop relationships with each of the scholars.
I did begin as a live-in staff. I left and went part time for some personal reasons, not the least of which was that I felt constantly criticized, talked down to, and undermined in front of the scholars by the other live-in counselor. I rarely have trouble getting along with anyone, so this is not normal for me. I tried to speak no ill of him at that time. Since then, I’ve tried to give him the benefit of the doubt and have even advocated for him on occasion as I choose to believe he doesn’t mean to come across the way he does. I want the focus of this letter to be positive, but I know the particular issue of my having left live-in before will come up.
I stayed part time due to my belief in the program and my belief that I could really make a difference in the scholars’ lives. There were times when I even rescheduled or canceled plans when I was needed to help out extra at the house due to my dedication to the cause. When I saw an opportunity to come back on full time, I went for it.
Now a live-in position has come open. Let me be so bold as to say that I am the person for that spot. The boys are going to need someone living in that they know, trust, and respect. They are going to need a male living in. Boys are no more comfortable having all women caring for them than girls are having all men caring for them. Boys have problems they won’t be comfortable talking to a woman about.
At this point, everybody is looking to me for my knowledge on the boys and the house routine. I have to advocate for the staff to the scholars, and I have to advocate for the scholars to the staff as well. I think I’m doing my share and then some, just out of necessity. That will all even out, but until the new staff and the scholars can get to know and respect each other I will end up being the liaison. I’m taking the initiative to take care of getting prescriptions filled, get scholars into activities, set medical and dental appointments, and get the vehicle maintenance up to date—all while trying to keep up with the regular house duties as well. That’s a lot to juggle, and will be much easier to focus on if and when I don’t have to switch focus each day from home to work to home to work to home to work (okay, you get the point).
As you said in my goals meeting, you haven’t begun to see what I’m capable of accomplishing. And I can accomplish so much more when my focus is not split.
Thanks for your consideration,
Al
Well, it appears that I did manage to kick the process into high gear. We're meeting Monday morning. They were discussing a few concerns which it appears I answered in my e-mail already. It pretty much seems like I've got the position.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Work.
Well, I still don't know whether I'll be going live-in at Boys Hope or not. Fortunately, it seems my co-workers are seeking my help and guidance more now (guess they realize they don't know everything about how to run the house or deal with the boys after all). My boss seems to be showing more appreciation of us as well. I think the stress is lifting a bit and we're all settling down, although the house is still in disarray from not being able to put things in the rooms. The exterminators will be coming again in a couple weeks, and then we'll probably be clear to put everything back.
As for the boys, they're being real pains, and my co-workers are pretty frustrated with them. I took the time to talk 1:1 with a few of them about behaviors and expectations. Our youngest co-worker (who is having the most trouble with them) got the idea from me as well. It's good that she wants to tackle the behaviors, but she seems to expect that they'll respond the same way to her as they do to me. But I've developed relationships with these guys for a year, so it's only natural that at this point they'll listen to me more and be more open with me.
I talked to Darin a few minutes ago. He seems pretty happy although he misses the boys. They miss him too. I actually do as well. I grew to like the guy, even though initially having to live with him was insufferable.
Well, that's about all I have for now. I'm hoping to be able to start packing to move into the house soon, but we'll see if my superiors have enough sense to take me on as a live-in again.
As for the boys, they're being real pains, and my co-workers are pretty frustrated with them. I took the time to talk 1:1 with a few of them about behaviors and expectations. Our youngest co-worker (who is having the most trouble with them) got the idea from me as well. It's good that she wants to tackle the behaviors, but she seems to expect that they'll respond the same way to her as they do to me. But I've developed relationships with these guys for a year, so it's only natural that at this point they'll listen to me more and be more open with me.
I talked to Darin a few minutes ago. He seems pretty happy although he misses the boys. They miss him too. I actually do as well. I grew to like the guy, even though initially having to live with him was insufferable.
Well, that's about all I have for now. I'm hoping to be able to start packing to move into the house soon, but we'll see if my superiors have enough sense to take me on as a live-in again.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Survey
This survey was too accurate for comfort in some ways. I'm pretty honest with myself about myself, so even when there were areas I didn't like to admit this survey was right, I knew it was accurate.
My Personality
My Personality
80 | |
52 | |
70 | |
88 | |
41 |
MySpace Surveys, MySpace Codes and hi5 by Pulseware Survey Software |
Monday, September 04, 2006
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Appreciated
I worked at St. Joe's this evening. As I walked on the unit, I got mobbed as usual for hugs. We had a pretty good night, with only a few outbursts (with the staff they have now, that's pretty darn good. Back when I worked the weekend, outbursts were rare). The kids were excited to watch the fireworks outside tonight, so we let some of them stay up past their bedtimes a little as long as their behavior had been okay.
My co-workers and my boss were all very appreciative of me as well. That's a relief after the week I had at Boys Hope. My coworkers and the kids are good to me, but my superiors at Boys Hope seem to not value me anymore. So it was nice to go to St. Joe's and have everyone from the clients to my boss be so happy to have me around.
My co-workers and my boss were all very appreciative of me as well. That's a relief after the week I had at Boys Hope. My coworkers and the kids are good to me, but my superiors at Boys Hope seem to not value me anymore. So it was nice to go to St. Joe's and have everyone from the clients to my boss be so happy to have me around.
Yes, I'm still alive.
What a busy week. Monday--work. Tuesday up at 5am, work at 6am, off just in time to get to the dentist. Trying to sleep before going to St. Joe's for a half shift. Got off at 4am Wednesday. Up at noon Wednesday to get to Boys hope for a meeting, then work til 9. Up at 5am Thursday to get to work at Boys Hope by 6am. Off at 2pm, just enough time to get some things done before going to the dentist at 4pm. Got some sleep before going to St. Joe's for a shift. Found out about 7:30 am that (lucky me) my name was pulled this month for a random drug test when I really needed to go home and sleep before getting to work at Boys Hope. Started off, decided there was too much traffic. Went home and showered before setting off to get something to eat and then go pee in a cup. Got home and happened to call Boys Hope. Found out that we were meeting at 1pm instead of 2pm and NOBODY TOLD ME. Worked until 7, went to Applebees to meet friends Scott and George. Came home at 9. Slept. Went NOWHERE on Saturday, just recouped from my week.
Ahhhhhhhhh.
Ahhhhhhhhh.
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