What do you do to make the lives of others a little better?

[Puzzledtraveller]

I started working as a SNAP and Medicaid caseworker in 2009 after about a year on unemployment. I began in the summer at the height of the recession as it was beginning to impact families and individuals. I received full training by the cabinet that also counted as college credits when applied to associated degree fields. The experience has made me richer and truly more appreciative and thankful for what I have.

I had my 5 year anniversary last month and I can say the greatest lesson I learned from my time aiding, and assisting my neighbors is that you never know what others are going through. You know that people are people and that we all have flaws. You know that we are diverse but also same. I do not aid people based on their ideology, beliefs, affiliations, vocations, I aid people based on their most basic needs. I listen to their stories, they share their problems, their past, hopes and fears. Often during the course of the application interviews we have great conversations, and there is always something we agree on.

I also learned that you never know what someone thinks, what their views are, my own prejudice has had me surprised numerous times as if I always fail to learn that lesson. I care about the people I connect with, I have seen the relief wash across their face when I am able to tell them they have been approved for the services they need.

I have had the people I connect with cry tears of joy, and sometimes unfortunately tears of great sadness when sharing a grave loss with me. Some of the people I connect with offer to pray for me in gratitude, telling me that they will ask God to bless me, I have received this gift in numerous languages, some of the languages I have never heard of before. I suppose I could go on. Many times I think that the people I help, help me more than I help them. They help me to understand, to listen, and to love.

[thecrow]

1. How do you get a job like that?

[Puzzledtraveller]

3. I applied through my states personnel cabinet website

The formal position title is Family Support but that most likely differs state to state as does the requirements. The entry level for Family Support is FS-I, there is FS-II and FS-III. My states minimum education requirement was the equivalent of two years in college or about 54 hours if I recall correctly in any field of study. Many Family Support workers have Bachelors degrees though I myself only have an Associates degree. I do know that as a reflection of the job market for college grads we have more caseworkers with bachelors degrees than we have at any other time I have been told. My state provides all of the training, including travel and meal reimbursement when training is more than 40 miles from your home. Lodging is arranged by the training division. Family casework is made up of several programs and each program can have several training blocks. I have been trained on SNAP, Family Medicaid, Adult Medicaid, TANF, HBE(ACA) and our states application system for HBE which is Kynect.

[ChazII]

2. Volunteering at two different

Last edited Sun Jul 6, 2014, 01:58 PM - Edit history (1)

church run food/clothing banks where our the items are free is how I help others. Most everything you said describes what I have observed.

Your job sounds rewarding. How did your prepare for it? What schooling/degree does one need?

Thanks for this post and helping others.

edited for spelling

[Puzzledtraveller]

4. We also work closely with local food banks and churches

we also are afforded the freedom to recommend various assistance programs to the client as there are so many the agency does not create or require that we provide a set of referrals. One of the most useful resources I like to share is employers that hire convicted felons. I only had a 2 year degree in general education when I applied, I applied through the states personnel website.

[ChazII]

10. Thank you for your answer.

It is something I would like to research further.

The two free clothing/food banks I volunteer with are looking to expand. The one that is already open on MWF wants to add fresh veggies and fruits. As there is a group at church that wishes to start a community garden. This will benefit not only the food bank but the neighbors around the church itself.

The other church is only open on Wednesdays. The are looking for volunteers to work either Saturdays or one evening a week for a couple of hours. For those who pray or send good wishes please say/send those prayer as this is still in the planning stages.

[hfojvt]

5. not sure if that is fair

I mean, you get paid to help people. Whereas others have to do a job and then help people on their own time.

Just yesterday, for example, I was in a parade, trying to help Democratic candidates. Actually our Congressional candidate was there for some reason, so I put on one of her t-shirts. Played my trumpet a little bit. Presumably provided a little bit of entertainment for the people watching the parade.

Last week I went to the fundraiser for Meals on Wheels. Paid $10 for a chicken dinner, and bid on some silent auction items. Made several bids and won a haircut for a mere $4. Because I was there making bids, they raised a little bit more money.

On Tuesday I visited three people about Kiwanis. Kiwanis gives money to a number of service groups in town. I have volunteered (and sort of been drafted) for leadership positions in that club. So I give some of my time and energy trying to make the club stronger, so we can do more.

Not sure how much I am helping, but nobody else wanted to do it, and I am trying.

Today I took a load of brush to the compost pile. It is free on the first Saturday of the month. Back when my SUV was working I used to pick up some brush around the neighborhood that other people were not taking care of. I figured, I am going anyway and I have room. With my little car though, I don't have the room. But normally I am not seeing the people I help. They probably think the city removed their brush or something, or that their landlord did (so heck, some times I am probably just helping a lazy landlord).

[Puzzledtraveller]

7. I get paid for what I am "required" to do.

I do much more than what I am "required" to do.

[theaocp]

6. I aid in the operation of Motor City Ferrets.

We are a non-profit, no-kill ferret shelter in Hazel Park, MI. We just welcomed in our 1,001st rescue in the ~15 years of operation. I just like the lil' fuzzies that run and dook around.

The "others" include all animals and humans that grace our collective presence.

[Puzzledtraveller]

8. That's awesome!

I would like to get involved with an organization helping animals.

[Ron Green]

9. I'm doin' my best to bring Single Payer health care to my state and my nation.

Anyone can help me by going to http://mvhca.org and making a nice tax-deductible donation.

[LWolf]

11. I teach them. nt