09 March 2011

Rough Week

It's been a rough week at work, friends.  A coworker relapsed and was fired. A client who had been kicked out (whom hadn't stayed long & had severe issues while there) committed suicide in a low-rent hotel and the executive director is retiring in a few months from now but it sadly needs to be a few months ago.

So it has been a white knuckle environment at work lately.  Did I mention that the social worker has been ill?  Or that we're working on the first in a series of fundraisers? 

Yeah.

Non-profit work is a stressful profession any way you look at it.  There is always a worry about budgets, the clientele, and any number of worries that come up.  I've been working in the non-profit sector for most of my adult life and it never seems to get easier. 

With that, I am rarely surprised.  I've been threatened, I've been called everything but a white woman, and been scared. 

What balances it, for me, is the good stuff.  The highs.  The clients that do achieve their goals.  The thank you's. The idea that you're helping, even if it's a small as lending an ear.  For all the horrible moments, there are happy ones that make you forget that five minutes ago you were miserable.

2 comments:

Swistle said...

I am using the powers of my mind to WILL you into a time several months from now!

creative kerfuffle said...

i keep trying to break into the non-profit arena for the very reason you speak of....feeling like you're doing something worthwhile and good. i'm sure the stress is a freakin' nightmare. hang in there hon!