You never know what people are going to say when they start talking. It’d been a week since I had been at the homeless shelter and I sincerely missed it. I’m glad they have put me in the temporary housing section because the people there don’t change as much. I actually love showing up and seeing the kids in the dining room. I’d like to have more time for the moms so I didn’t do the younger groups. Mondays I can do that.

The supervisor at Thrive had asked me, “Who is your ideal client?” I still don’t like the word client but I also didn’t know the answer. He further explained. There are the ones who energize you and the ones who deplete you. The little kids aren’t my ideal for groups, but I do still like to be with them. Over the supper hour it’s usually chaotic and crazy as to be expected. I like to walk from table to table and talk to them as they eat.

Particularly with the kids, this doesn’t really get or even need to be about addressing everybody’s anger issues or going into their personal trauma. Sometimes little bursts of happiness are just as important for human growth and wellbeing. That’s how I see these groups, as a way for little bursts of happiness to be part of their life for a time. The abuses and the rapes and the stealing, all of that needs greater care than I can give.