jigga what

i've been in training at my job for almost three weeks now and today i got to take my first calls with a peer trainer. i haven't written much about what i do because of confidentiality issues (i.e. my not knowing what i can and cannot say to people outside of work about what happens at work). but today was a big one, and i feel like sharing my experience.

we were paired up with a peer trainer that listened in while we received the reports of abuse. my first call was from someone that meant to reach the spanish unit, so that was a short and sweet transfer. and then, the real fun began. i heard about a 7th grader whose mother called a boy she had been talking to and said "listen to this" and then tied her up and beat her with a belt; a newborn whose coke addicted/former heroin addict mother was breast-feeding her while on methadone treatments (and has 6 other children at home); a 9 year old who was suicidal because he is living in a house where mom, mom's boyfriend and two older siblings smoked and dealt "trash bags full of weed" and where he doesn't get food or clean clothes; and last, but not least, a five year old who was raped by her 14 year old uncle and whose 3 year old sister is now being molested by a neighbor.

the good things about this job: i start the process for these kids getting help. i don't know the kids. seeing their little faces would make the process impossible for me. my coworkers have a good sense of humor. we find things to laugh about when we can. i'm learning some really valuable people/interviewing skills. and finally, i never have to bring my job home.

so that's the life of my right now. hope you all feel thoroughly informed.