Posted by LlurpsieNoodle on July 3, 2007, at 13:19:10
In reply to Re: my first day of work, posted by Honore on July 3, 2007, at 11:52:11
Well, it started out with a long lecture from an experienced police officer who told us some (common sense) things about working with (potentially) desperate, disturbed, dangerous folks. Then a woman who's been running the soup kitchen for 18 years took us into the kitchen and gave us jobs to do- scramble eggs, pass out chocolate milk, make lemonade, make popcorn, make soup. Basically, whatever wasn't labelled in the fridge was handed out to whoever was taking it.
Mainly I stood by the kitchen window and asked everyone what they'd like. A whole bunch of people came up as soon as the doors opened, that was stressful (but nowhere near the stress of hearing the policeman's horror stories...)
Most of the people were quiet, or grateful, and polite. Definitely some folks who were a little slow, tired. One who was very agitated and pacing (had been in the police station earlier that evening after supposed encounter with dangerous foe who existed only in his head). The lady in charge pointed out some of the regulars, including a guy with schizophrenia (very nice and sociable) and a couple who have jobs by day but can't afford to live at their own place. About 50 people total.
I was on kitchen duty the whole time, and it was nice.
When I came home, I got lost and ended up having to back up a narrow winding lane for about 300feet because I made a wrong turn and no way out. I HATE backing up in the car. so dark. couldn't see my hand in front of my face.
Then we watched an episode of X-files and my mind was really really busy and I tried to fall asleep but I had too much on my mind. The last thing I wanted to do was take a pill. But after 2 hours That's what I did. :(
I think I go back next weekend. They need people to work in the evenings on weekends.
That's all
Good luck Angela- hope you have as positive experience as I did (minus the getting lost in scary dark neighborhood)-Ll
poster:LlurpsieNoodle
thread:767212
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20070628/msgs/767393.html