Advocacy, it's the least I can try to do

It does not fail that almost every day I am awe struck by another student.  Their strength, their untimely wisdom, their courage, will and survival in a variety of circumstances that I can only attempt to understand, but never fully have a sense of their experiences. 

I had hoped when I started this blog in August, I believe it was, that I would regularly share stories and experiences of my job as a social worker in an urban school.  But, I have been so enraptured in the experience that the little time I have for myself I've used for time with my husband and rest/rejuvenation.  The stress and exhaustion that I have experienced this semester is unlike any other job I have had, though.  In past jobs, my stress from my work as an outpatient therapist or other social work roles led to burn out, moodiness, extreme fatigue.  The stress I have now only promotes my motivation and love of the students I work with and the job I get to do every day.

I am working with many young women who are pregnant, from various backgrounds and with various levels of stability.  I have to assist many of these women to ensure they have their basic needs met, some do not have medical coverage to receive prenatal care.  A few are at great housing risk, which is obviously very concerning that they and their soon to be born child may be without a warm and stable home.  I hear countless stories of survival with abusive parents, mothers who are in relationships with abusive men or drug dealers.  So many of my students have lost someone they love to a violent or untimely death.

Yet, most of them continue on, trying as best they can to have a normal and fun high school and adolescent experience.  Most students are so determined to get their high school diploma, many the first in their family.  All I can really do is listen, support and maybe try to advocate for what they need.  I think this is the central core of doing my job well.  I have to advocate that a young woman with multiple serious medical issues, now pregnant with a child with many medical issues of his own, should have the computer at home so she can continue with her education.  I have to advocate with the teachers who don't know the full picture at home to not be so hard on the student who is a little disruptive that day, because he's just trying to get through the day without thinking about how the issues at home and on the street.  I also have to advocate that in an urban, predominantly African-American school, there are students who deserve and need an after school club to feel safe about who they are, including their sexuality.

I feel proud and privileged to be a part of these young people's lives.  Working to do whatever they need to support them in obtaining their goals is the least I can do.  And I love it.