misery loves its company
After 9 long months, I finally got a job. I finally get to move out of the parents house. And I may have finally reached a high point in my post-college career.
Patience really is an amazing thing. Everyone wants their shit to happen now.. why do you think we have fast food? It’s crazy to think I could be so happy after 9 months of being patient and positive… who knows what could happen in the next few years.
I eagerly await this coming year. Not because I’ll be out of my house in Long Lake and in Eagan but because this Americorps job is only a year commitment. I’m already planning for something to do after August 2010… sad but it’s best to plan for it with todays economy.
I am a bit anxious to be on my own again. Although my parents will only be 35 minutes away and not 3 hours, I still fear I will run into the same financial issues I did while in Winona. I also fear I’ll plan too many things and put too much shit on my plate and burn out. I have an internship planned this fall (from Sept to Dec) at the Urban Arts Academy and it’s a huge passion of mine. It’s basically grad work I can put on my resume for 3 months. I’d be learning how an artsy nonprofit organization works in the ghetto in Minneap. My dream is to open my own nonprofit somewhere in the midwest… through all of the volunteering I’ve done the past 15 years, I’ve noticed it’s the suburbs and rural areas that need the most help. In the city, they have special programs and low income housing with little or no requirement… also, most of those people receiving aid don’t even need a social worker anymore. What a loop hole.
It’s a shame we live in a bureacratic society… It’s also a shame we’re losing support from our local communities for local nonprofits. Just the other day, the nonprofit (WeCAN) I volunteer at once a week just lost another grant. This grant covered a lady who would come in once a week to advise and direct people to get employment. She’s gone. This nonprofit also just lost one of the best social workers to the county.
You’d think non-profits would be doing better in this economy but they’re not. While WeCAN loses employees and support, another nonprofit benefits. The benefitting nonprofit I’m talking about is IOCP. This is a very RICH nonprofit (if such a thing can be said). Their service area covers all of the rich communities around Lake Minnetonka, Plymouth, and Wayzata areas. Areas where everyone owns a BMW, Mercedes, or Jaguar. Areas where every soccer mom owns an Escalade. Areas where making less than $70,000/year is considered “poor”. IOCP benefits by receiving more and more clients that WeCAN cannot help. More clients = more money from government = more welfare available = more programming = more happy clients = more opportunity. It sucks because WeCAN workers are quitting from the lack of bonuses, pay increases, and client base.
Not that I can DO anything about this but I do hope to host a fundraiser specifically for WeCAN. It will be a game night at the local Legion in Mound, MN. We would call it “WeCAN Boogie”. 70s theme and games available such as bingo, poker, bags outside, and a raffle as well as drink specials and great food. I believe this would appeal to people of all age groups. With social networking, I could grab the attention of my peers and my mother, who also volunteers at WeCAN, could grab the attention of church members and peers her age. I truly believe this would be a successful event. Although it takes place at the Legion, I think making it family appropriate would win more attendance. Checking IDs strictly at the bar and not at the door while volunteers have the choice to chaperone for underage drinkers.
This blog may sound like a proposal but I’m really just trying to vent all the frustration I have. This economy may blow and all, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a bit of fun. If anyone is interested in volunteering with planning, coordinating, promotion, or just want to come to this event please email me. I would like to start planning in the next month hoping to put on the event sometime in October in time for the Sleep Out WeCAN does every year.
Thanks for listening.
