Hi, all! I’m Abby, and as you probably read earlier, I am working with Jiayu at Threshold for the next few weeks. Jiayu has done a great job of filling you in so far, so I will try not to be repetitive and bore you!
Today, we started our first full week at Threshold. If there happens to be one thing that everyone does a lot of at Threshold, it would be running around all day! It takes a huge effort on everyone’s part to keep the clubhouse operating smoothly. I have been pleasantly surprised to see that all of the members are so eager to pitch in and do their fair share! Jiayu and I have assimilated nicely so far, and as she explained earlier, we are no different than the permanent staff and the members at Threshold. When we break out into our “unit” meetings (the units are: Kitchen, Snack Bar, Clerical, and Member Services), we raise our hand and volunteer to complete the same tasks that everyone else does! It really warms my heart to see the teamwork that goes into each task. Anyway, after an eight-hour workday filled with running up and down the halls, making lunch, sweeping floors, and watering gardens (yes, Threshold has TWO gardens! I can’t wait to sample the blackberries that are ripening!), by 4:30 I am ready to go to bed for the night!
So, some new and exciting news for our main project for the summer! We are still in the planning stages, but at this point, it looks like Jiayu and I will be leading a Personal Finance “class” at Threshold on a weekly basis. Many of the members do not have jobs at the moment, so they are living off of next to nothing. While Threshold offers reduced prices for lunches and other food items during the day, when members go home at night, they often spend their small savings without thinking too far ahead. What is more, those members who have recently gotten jobs have a hard time holding on to the money they have just recently grown accustomed to earning! Threshold is not a babysitting service; we seek to empower our members, not watch their every move to keep them out of trouble. So, our class will seek to teach them about managing their money responsibly and budgeting appropriately for the month so they can still pay their bills and buy necessities. Of course, we don't want to be imposing or deriding or anything! We simply wnat to lay out the options for those who choose to attend our little class. Additionally, Jiayu and I want to help some members open savings accounts to also help them better manage their money! For many of our members, the thought of a savings account has never crossed their mind. In fact, it may intimidate some of them. However, I am excited and I believe that we will really be able to offer some fresh perspective and direction to them!
All in all, I’ve learned a lot these past few days of working at Threshold. First and foremost, it has been a personal challenge for me to stand back and allow others to pitch in and help with tasks around the clubhouse. I am very much a “do-er” and I want to do everything myself, my own way, and on my own timeline! However, with nearly 60 members coming and going throughout the day, it is hard to maintain complete control of every situation in which I am involved. So I have had to step back and delegate tasks and learn how to be patient and accommodating to the members. Many of my preconceived notions about mental illness have also faded away. These members are sweet, have their own sense of humor, are ready to give a hand, and always have a smile on their face, asking how you’re doing today. It has been a fruitful experience already, and it’s only been a few days! I cannot wait to see what the rest of the summer holds in store!
Today, we started our first full week at Threshold. If there happens to be one thing that everyone does a lot of at Threshold, it would be running around all day! It takes a huge effort on everyone’s part to keep the clubhouse operating smoothly. I have been pleasantly surprised to see that all of the members are so eager to pitch in and do their fair share! Jiayu and I have assimilated nicely so far, and as she explained earlier, we are no different than the permanent staff and the members at Threshold. When we break out into our “unit” meetings (the units are: Kitchen, Snack Bar, Clerical, and Member Services), we raise our hand and volunteer to complete the same tasks that everyone else does! It really warms my heart to see the teamwork that goes into each task. Anyway, after an eight-hour workday filled with running up and down the halls, making lunch, sweeping floors, and watering gardens (yes, Threshold has TWO gardens! I can’t wait to sample the blackberries that are ripening!), by 4:30 I am ready to go to bed for the night!
So, some new and exciting news for our main project for the summer! We are still in the planning stages, but at this point, it looks like Jiayu and I will be leading a Personal Finance “class” at Threshold on a weekly basis. Many of the members do not have jobs at the moment, so they are living off of next to nothing. While Threshold offers reduced prices for lunches and other food items during the day, when members go home at night, they often spend their small savings without thinking too far ahead. What is more, those members who have recently gotten jobs have a hard time holding on to the money they have just recently grown accustomed to earning! Threshold is not a babysitting service; we seek to empower our members, not watch their every move to keep them out of trouble. So, our class will seek to teach them about managing their money responsibly and budgeting appropriately for the month so they can still pay their bills and buy necessities. Of course, we don't want to be imposing or deriding or anything! We simply wnat to lay out the options for those who choose to attend our little class. Additionally, Jiayu and I want to help some members open savings accounts to also help them better manage their money! For many of our members, the thought of a savings account has never crossed their mind. In fact, it may intimidate some of them. However, I am excited and I believe that we will really be able to offer some fresh perspective and direction to them!
All in all, I’ve learned a lot these past few days of working at Threshold. First and foremost, it has been a personal challenge for me to stand back and allow others to pitch in and help with tasks around the clubhouse. I am very much a “do-er” and I want to do everything myself, my own way, and on my own timeline! However, with nearly 60 members coming and going throughout the day, it is hard to maintain complete control of every situation in which I am involved. So I have had to step back and delegate tasks and learn how to be patient and accommodating to the members. Many of my preconceived notions about mental illness have also faded away. These members are sweet, have their own sense of humor, are ready to give a hand, and always have a smile on their face, asking how you’re doing today. It has been a fruitful experience already, and it’s only been a few days! I cannot wait to see what the rest of the summer holds in store!