Of the jobs I had in my working years, there is one that stands out......so much so that I worked there three times. Every time I left for a "better" job, meaning more money, I was ever so glad when they called and asked me to return. I did......every time.
JASP was a program was for first time law offenders (sometimes second and third) and was an alternative to the court system. One of the programs we offered was a parenting group and an educational group for the young offenders. We had a very capable counselor who ran the parent group and another counselor and I ran the kids group. The local newspaper did an article about our program and there we are in the clipping above with our group of kids doing our best to teach them to stay out of trouble! At the time, I had a fifteen year old and an eight year old at home and often when I talked to parents, I actually knew what they were going through...... and I'd better leave that one alone!
I happened to find this clipping and not long after ran into my former co-worker in a local restaurant and had a good time reminiscing about days long past! She still looks just like she did in that photo!
One of the funny stories, and there were many, was of the parents group. The counselor running that group was a young guy with a great sense of humor. One night when the parents were whining discussing the fact that their children hadn't suddenly become angels, he said to them.......It took you fifteen years to mess them up and you expect me to fix them overnight??? That got their attention!
Many of those young people went on and became law abiding, productive citizens. A few didn't and we would see their names again......sometimes several times.
But that newspaper article......that was my fifteen minutes of fame.
It was the last actual outside the home job I would have. Three months after I married the Superhero, I "retired" to stay home to help raise two more boys! That was nineteen years ago.....my, how time flies! Thanks for the memories!
8 comments:
that had to be the most interesting job - that's for sure. Hearing all the stories & just all the different people. I would love that myself.
Very cute. Was it more stressful to work or stay home and raise the boys??? I'm trying a different way to comment to see if this will work.
How interesting. That must have been a fulfilling job ... Knowing that you made a difference in some of those young lives.
You are such a Cutie! You were then and you are now! Live the photo but most of all I love that you influenced young lives and made a difference. It's so easy to say but so difficult to do, but YOU DID IT! Kudos to you!
Another great post! You look the same too!
Oh, what a rewarding job, making a difference in kids lives. I bet lots of them still remember you.
Thanks for your sweet comments on my post yesterday. I am a bit over the top when it comes to organization. But, it works for me.
Happy weekend!
Thank you for the memories. I enjoyed reading your throw back Thursday!
It's so nice when you find such a fulfilling job. Sounds like you were doing important work there!
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