I Need Some Detectives
9:05 AM Edit This 9 Comments »My blog is suffering from my new job, I think. I'm not nearly as interesting as I used to be, huh? Oh well. I guess I'm using my creative energies for my position instead, and that's a good, good thing. Today is the beginning of my three long days and I didn't sleep well last night at all. I was not pleased. You know, how when you wake up at 2 a.m. and roll over and think, "Fall back asleep. Fall back asleep. You've got four more hours." And then you roll over again and it's 2:45 a.m. and you say, "What? I have a long day tomorrow. This can't be happening." Then you punch at your pillow and fluff it up and try again. Gah. Was not good.
It's five degrees here. And it's supposed to get to minus nine overnight. And that's not counting the wicked wind. Melissa Lion thinks this should not happen in a first world country, but I'm here to tell you, it's pretty normal for this time of year. Sadly, I picked the wrong day to brave wearing a skirt. This not watching tv or listening to the radio thing kind of has it's consequences sometimes. Which includes not knowing that tights aren't going to hack it on a day like today. Even indoors. Oh well. I've braved worse, right? That's why I'm a Solid Midwestern Girl.
In other news? I have a client that is desperate to learn how to read and write. He is in his 40s and just kept getting passed along in school and was, frankly encouraged to drop out in 8th grade, and now? He can't read. He cares for his little niece and says that he would do anything to be able to read a book to her at night. Which kind of pulls at my heartstrings and makes me want to bust out the alphabet right then and there, but I can't. So. I was on the phone for HOURS the other day, trying to find community resources for adult learning. And I'm sad to say, that I HAVEN'T FOUND ONE YET! And it's killing me. WHAT?! Someone wants to learn to read and write and there are no resources? That's criminal, if you ask me. Plus, the ESL classes? He's not eligible because he's not an immigrant. And it's funded strictly for immigrants. He is not yet old enough to take advantage of the "Seniors returning to work" programs around here and the guy they sent him to through the Literacy Council was drunk every time they met. Nice. So, if you've got some suggestions, I'd love them. I've called all the colleges, the local school district, the libraries, vocational rehab, various and sundry agencies, and I'm pretty much out of ideas. My mother suggested a retired teacher's association and someone else suggested something called RSVP. Retired Seniors Volunteer Program, whom I will be calling today. I'm asking for help, internet. Help me.
9 comments:
That sleep routine you have right there? Pretty much an every night thing for me. Menopausal sleep interruption I think is the technical term at my age. It sucks.
I sure wish I had a suggestion for your client but I don't. I hope someone out there does!
I would call the Literacy Council, and let them know that the guy he was assigned to was drunk. Let them find you someone else. I'm sure they have other very good volunteers. Have you tried the local unemployment office? They may have some resources too.
You are a stand-up Midwestern girl with a great heart.
Do you have a branch of the Literacy Volunteers up there? This might be a local group here, so try googling literacy volunteers south dakota - I did and got a good few hits.
My idea would have been to call the library, high school, and community college. I have no idea where to go other than maybe a local senior center or nursing home? I like your mom's suggestion. I'll ask my mom and my friend Kristin, too. They're social worker types.
What is it like to sleep uninterrupted? It's been so long for me that I can't remember...hope this is not the start of it for you.
Get on with your bad Laura Ingalls Wilder self - bundle up, tie a rope and head out into the snow!
There must have been something in the air last night, because I didn't sleep either. I'm dying right now. Also, I'll check around regarding the programs. If I find out anything, I'll email you. I love your caring nature. It makes me smile.
I volunteered at the local library in their adult literacy program. Does your library have that? It's totally free.
My alarm clock has a white noise function that helps me sleep after I pee in the middle of the night- I either go for the rain sound or the ocean crashing. Love it.
How about calling the state or city dept of education? They probably fund a non-profit that could help your client out.
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