Where it all began & what it is all about

I was offered the position of coordinator of Reviravolta (one of the four programs at Gaspar Garcia Center for Human Rights) at the end of December. I knew that it would be out of my league because of the language, lack of experience with homeless, and financial management requirements. However I took the leap because after 6 months of working with my boss I trusted his trust in me.

Reviravolta is a job and life skills training program for homeless. Potential participants hear about us in the shelters where they are staying and come for an initial interview. Based on their interest they are then enrolled in the first stage. STAGE 1 = participation in arts and craft workshops 2 days a week, 4 hours each day (8 hours per week). This is designed to help them demonstrate their commitment and ability to stay focused on small tasks for an extended period of time. They make necklaces, earrings, picture frames, etc out of donated paper and newspapers. After 3 weeks of consistent participation they are recommended for participation in Núcleo Escola de Grupo Seletiva – the recycling part of the program. STAGE 2 (a) = they get uniforms and start learning how to recycle! this is a dirty and hard job, lots of lifting, sorting, and packing. For 1 month they work 3 days full time with the “old timers” and the other two days continue participating in the arts workshops. This is to ease the transition to full time heavy work. On the Friday of the 4th week the whole group evaluates the quality of work of each individual. No one is “kicked out” per se. They can either join the recyclers full time or continue in the provisional stage for another month. STAGE 2 (b) = full time work as a recycler. The hope is that within 4 to 6 months they will have developed the experience and stability to pursue other more official, higher income generating, work. That said we do have 3 old old timers (over 5 years).

The description above gives a sense of how amazing the program is…and the potential it has to be the best in the world (I have LOTS of ideas and modest aspirations. teehee).

On January 7th I started going to Reviravolta full time (even though I was only getting paid part time) to shadow then coordinator “Smart C” (former Jesuit and electrical engineer). My fears about my language ability and financial illiteracy were immediately confirmed.

What I never imagined was that I would immediately feel connected to this population and this work.

What I never imagined is how much I would feel like I have a chance to make things right with and for my biological father. He was an alcoholic and (in my opinion) had an undiagnosed mental illness. He died alone and scared and feeling very abandoned. He didn’t end up on the street but he very easily could have. I couldn’t save him and I can’t save “my recyclers”. But….I can give my all to help lead a program that welcomes everyone with kindness, acceptance, and joy. I can use every management trick in the book to try and help “the hammer” (our social worker) see that sometimes just asking why and being present to their answer is more powerful then telling them what (they should do or think or feel). I can swallow my dislike of fundraising and beg every super market, boot store, and glove manufacturer for donations. I can open my heart and learn from the incredible pain and wisdom of everyone – disgruntled asst coordinator to the man who lived on the street for 20 years and struggles to adapt to such a different life.

The hope, fragility, tenderness, and fear in these grown adult men and women is inspiring, and gives me the courage to push through embarrassment (said the wrong word for wallet like 8 times yesterday), frustration (when Big D, new recycler, lied to me and slept on the street), sadness (watching people struggle against addiction and despair), confusion (when I have to figure what expense goes in which of our 4 excel spreadsheets and how we are going to pay for it), and insecurity (I took someone’s number yesterday…it turned out to be a bank. I can’t even write a phone number right?!? No wonder “friendly G” thinks I am an idiot).

In a funny way it is my mistakes, bungled português, failures with my dad, and confusion that actually make me a perfect fit. At least…that is what I am telling myself!!!