Work

In between the weekends I work as a case manager at a really great and large non-profit (St. Joseph Center) in Venice. I meet with clients who are enrolled in the Family Sufficiency Program, one of the many programs that St. Joseph Center offers.  The Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) Program is a 5 year program, and I meet with participating clients (right now, about 20) regularly for 1 year.  I have been loving meeting and getting to know so many different clients and offering my time and work to them.  

The type of clients that I meet with are Santa Monica residents with Section 8 housing vouchers.  They are all enrolled in the FSS program by choice, and to work towards stability and financial self sufficiency.  My clients are diverse across the board--some have families, some have jobs, some are young, some are old, some are black and some are white, some are depressed and some are joyful.  

The FSS program also contains a great financial incentive.  If at any point throughout the program the client experiences an increase in earned income (relative to their claimed earnings from the beginning of the program), the Santa Monica Housing Authority will match that increase and place the money in a separate savings account.  If the client successfully completes the program in 5 years (that is, if the client is employed full time and no long receives any form of government cash aid), the client receives all the savings that accumulated in their account.  Some clients have graduated the program with literally $20,000!  The client can spend the money however they wish, but ideally they will use it for a down payment on a house.

The work that I do with the client, then, involves goal making and checking-in.  I also offer referrals, and try to connect clients with the best services. St. Joseph Center also has a clothing closet that I organize and manage, so I am also able to offer clients and their children clothes and shoes if needed.

Speaking of clothing, I am also working at the St. Joseph Center Thrift Store 2 afternoons a week.  I didn't expect to be working there but I have been trying to be positive about it.  Mostly I sort through donations (which can actually be exciting), price items, and help keep the store organized and clean.  It is rumored that I may be able to work the cash register soon!