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Sunday, January 1, 2012

Work

Well, Christmas Holiday and New Years Eve is now over. It is January 1, 2012.  I have been on vacation from work since December 20th.  A two week vacation was very much needed and appreciated. I am now refreshed and ready to go back to work tomorrow. I love and am so very passionate about the work I do at Perspectives. I am a Director at a human service agency serving at risk families and children. Our social issues we address is not limited to:  poverty, homelessness, abuse, Chemical Dependency, education, mental health, employment.

I have been so fortunate to be an employee at Perspectives since the 1990's. I actually started at Perspectives as a student pursuing my Masters degree in Counseling Psychology. I was a student working on my internship. I fell in love with Perspectives' mission: To help at Risk Families Break Negative Cycles. I did short term counseling at Perspectives working with clients who I then referred on to other agencies who offered long term therapy. We did more crisis phone counseling, short term counseling sessions and groups like Women and Self Esteem.

Once my internship was over, I was brought on as a part time staff member. I supervised the volunteers that did the short term therapy, processed with each volunteer making sure all referrals were given out due to the issues that the client presented. I enjoyed this very much but it was only part time so I also volunteered at the Crisis Connection in the Minneapolis area as a counselor.

Later, Perspectives'  hired me on as a group facilitator coordinator. I led groups on parenting topics that came from the University of Minnesota. The curriculum was called Positive Parenting I and II.  Topics included:  How to Catch Your Child Being Good, Discipline, Rules and Boundaries, Tools of Prevention and more. I also supervised volunteers who co-led the groups with me. I met some amazing people and trained them in group facilitation.

As human service agencies or non-profits change rapidly, the grant money was no longer supporting community parenting education classes. That is when I ended up leaving for about five years working as a hands on healer, teacher and speaker.

I was then told about an opening at Perspectives in 2004 looking for a Community Affairs Associate. I interviewed for the position and secured it. I did volunteer hiring, marketing and public relations work. One year later I was promoted to Director of Volunteers.

So that is my Perspectives story and I am still here. I truly feel honored to work with those that just need a little help getting back on track.

25 comments:

  1. laura,

    it's awesome you like your job. i hear a lot of people complain about their work.. yet do nothing about it. and stay at a place that stresses them. dumb.

    not me. i enjoy the classroom. and the load of kids that come through year after year.

    daphne

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  2. Daphne
    Yes, I also know many that dread going to work. Thanks so much for coming by my stoop.

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  3. i applied for leave right now... just for this day, to take a rest from yesterdays activity... hahaha... happy new year, laura... Yahweh bless.

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  4. It's great that you enjoy your job so much, especially as you are helping so many other people.
    Happy New Year to you!

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  5. Paula
    Happy New Year to you As well. and I do so love my work.

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  6. Ralph,
    We all need a break.Happy New Year.

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  7. What an interesting post, thank you for sharing!

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  8. Sounds like a wonderful job!! You are blessed to have job you look forward to each day!

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  9. I think it is a wonderful place to be in life when your "job" isn't considered such "work". Congratulations on finding that spot!

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  10. Social work... commendable! Have a great 2012!

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  11. Hi Laura,

    Your job sounds challenging and rewarding. I'd like to hear more about your 5 years as a hands on healer... a future post maybe??

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  12. It's always so good to plop myself on your stoop and hear what's on your mind. It's a great mind. I would say Prospective is very lucky to have landed you. Many people are lucky to have you in their life, including me!

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  13. Sounds like a very rewarding career! Blessings this new year!

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  14. Anonymous2/1/12 22:04

    Thanks for giving us a glimpse into your world. That has to be such a rewarding job. It takes a special person to enjoy helping those in need as a career. Many people enjoy it on a one time basis but not when it becomes an every day job. You have a good heart.

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  15. Thank goodness you enjoy your job, I've seen many in your field who do not and just see the people they're supposed to be helping as lazy and burdensome. More people like you are needed.

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  16. Your work sounds very rewarding. You're very lucky to love what you do!

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  17. Anonymous4/1/12 12:40

    It's a wonderful thging to have work that you know makes a difference. And I love that you genuinely put yourself into what you do--not everyone does that, but thoise who get and contribute the most cerrainly do.

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  18. Anonymous4/1/12 14:47

    How nice to get paid for helping other people. Only special people can do a job like yours! Way to go!

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  19. What a great job to have - helping others. You are awesome. Thanks for visiting my blog.

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  20. Sometimes you just click with a job, to the point where it becomes more than a job, more of a way of improving your life and that of those around you. Glad you found your perfect space :o)

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  21. You have a great job--working with and helping people while juggling a family life as a single mom. God Bless You!

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  22. Work in human services can be immensely rewarding and very nicely put in your post. My favorite time as a lawyer was working as an advocate for those with disabilities.
    Pam

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  23. Having been on the 'other side' of your job, as a mental health client, I truly take my hat off to you! I have the utmost respect and admiration for the social workers/clinicians at the clinic I have been attending for four years now, and I truly think it must be one of the most rewarding ~ yet perhaps most challenging ~ jobs one could have...I am a single mum too, to four lovely children, and that alone is a full-time job some days...You must be a very special, caring person :o) Came here via GBE 2 :o)

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  24. Thanks for sharing. You are a gem for doing what you do. a precious gem.

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  25. Stacy Sohns Schendel11/1/12 13:55

    Thanks for sharing. I also would be interested in hearing about you're hands on healing if you decide to share. Sometime I would like to share with you, in regards to you're career, about a family member of mine. Maybe you would have some additional advise for me :-).
    Happy New Year to you!

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