Ending and Beginning

            This week was a pretty busy week.  I had my usual intakes, crisis line shifts, and group.  In addition to this, we had a big event this week.  We had beauty schools come in and give the women manicures, haircuts, styles, and blowouts; as well as having a yoga instructor come in and teach a few methods of relaxation and meditation.  Women’s Day was a big hit for the women we serve because it gives them an opportunity to practice self-care and get pampered for a couple hours.  Most of the staff – myself included – ran childcare which was organized chaos with almost 40 kids running around a small building.  It was exhausting for everyone, but everyone was happy and relaxed by the end of the night making it completely worth it.

            A challenge that I faced this week was one of the children in group disclosing abuse at home which resulted in us calling DCFS.  It’s a hard conversation to have with a child, and it’s difficult to think about how the call can affect them while their family is being investigated.  This puts stress on the child because one or both parents are on edge due to the investigation, and they might blame the child for telling someone or not hiding it well enough.  Either way, the child feels guilty about the situation.  I hope that in the future, I will be able to support the child in group.

Ending and Beginning

            I feel like we’ve talked about “where we go from here?” a lot this past year, but I also think that my answer has changed quite a bit throughout this time.  Right now, I am applying to a couple jobs at domestic violence shelters and agencies.  I am excited and nervous to see how this goes.  Over the summer, I will be applying to the University of Chicago for their accelerated master’s program.  If I get accepted, I will be going back to school sometime next spring!

            I’m so grateful for getting the opportunity to be part of the team here at Sarah’s Inn and for being accepted and treated as a professional.  I’m grateful for having the chance to experience a wide range of the social work profession.  Reflecting back on the past few months, I’m proud of myself for branching out and taking on difficult tasks.  I believe I asked questions when it was necessary, but also took a chance at being independent.  If I could change one thing, I would want to have more client interaction by having another intake slot or more crisis line shifts.  I thought these were great experiences and I wish I could have had more of them.  I think I’m ready to be a professional social worker because I feel out of place right now.  Like I said at seminar on Friday, I know that something needs to change when I feel out of place.  It’s finally sunk in that I’m nearing the end and I’m not “comfortable” anymore.  I’m ready for the next part in my life, and despite being a little nervous, I’m ready for the change.  My best advice for the next student who comes to Sarah’s Inn is to not take ANY work home with you.  Leave the people and the problems at the office.  I’ve had to explain to my family that I don’t want to talk about my internship at home because it’s hard; not necessarily the work, but the emotional toll it can take on you.  The first month was emotionally difficult for me but I’ve learned how to manage it.  Do your best and work hard while you’re there, and then forget about it until you go back.