After six months of hard slog in an extremely difficult labor market, where unemployment sits at 8%, Tim Daley is now employed. On September 6, Tim was offered the role of Independent Living Counsellor at Good Shepherd, a youth development, education and family service agency. Good Shepherd provide individual, family and school-based services to prevent youth from becoming disconnected from family, school and society. To learn more about the organization checkout their website: http://www.goodshepherds.org/
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| Reenactment of actual event |
And when it rains it pours. The following day Tim was offered another role at Covernent House, the largest privately-funded agency in the US that provides food, shelter, immediate crisis care, and essential services to homeless kids. Tim is extremely grateful for both opportunities but has accepted the role at Good Shepherd as it allows him to work 4 days per week instead of 5 (for the same money).
Special thanks to Mikey, Chris and Sherene for providing Tim's impeccable references.
WORKING CONDITIONS IN NYC
Okay, so they don't have it as good as us aussies - they only get two weeks of annual leave per year, there are less Public Holidays and no-one here has ever heard of long-service leave but working in New York is great! They estimate that there are 3.5 million people in Manhattan at any given time, 2 million of which are not residents and commute from other boroughs, towns or even States every day. For this reason, New Yorkers are super lax on their start times at work. When Dolly Parton sang about working from 9 to 5, girlfriend was not talking about this city. Typically 10am is a perfectly acceptable start time in most work places.
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| It's actually more like 10 to 6 |
The primary source of my work-related joy is my love for WPA - the Women's Prison Association, and the incredible Development (fundraising) Team I am lucky to be a part of. WPA is a fantastic organization and I find the work extremely meaningful. For those who haven't already seen our Back to School Appeal*, checkout our website: http://www.wpaonline.org/
*Note: American kids start their school year in September, at the end of Summer.
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| You know you are a real fundraiser when you shamelessly ask your friends and family for money :) |
If you are sympathetic to women and families that have been impacted by incarceration, enjoyed the video and interactive back-pack tool, or are simply feeling generous, please email me at rpak@wpaonline.org . Unfortunately our online donation page does not accept Australian billing addresses but I would be happy to make a donation on your behalf if you would like to deposit the money into my aussie bank account.
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| Here is a pic of a few of our kids with their new school supplies! A big thank you to Kate, Mel, Sal, Mahoneys and Daddy Pak who have already donated |
There is a new reality TV show here called "Storage Wars". The contestants on the show hunt thru repossessed storage units with the purpose of selling whatever they find. Does anyone else think the dude in sunglasses looks like our own 23rd Prime Minister of Australia, Bob Hawke?
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| Hawkey, is that you??? |