Back about a month and a half ago, I was out at a bar on a Friday night and met this guy. We started with the small chit chat ... where do you live? What do you do? etc.... and he was telling me that he got hired on as the new operations manager for the Gay & Lesbian center in Long Beach (the same city of the port of LA....I used to live there for 5 years) and he was saying the center had a bad rap right now. I asked in what way....from the perspective of the average person walking down the street, from the business community, from the standpoint of the city???? And he said there was not enough outreach going on.

So I took that open door to tell him about writing my domestic abuse thread and the life and healing that took on for me and I told him about my reaching a point of forgiveness for my ex (which I'm writing about and trying to put the finishing touches so that I can share with the org) and about my cousins death and how it's really galvanizing me to share my story and to be involved.

I told him I would be interested to volunteer and he got a twinkle in his eye and asked what I thought about getting involved in the youth program and I said HELL YES I want to be involved with the youth. He said that there is one woman running the program right now and that he thought I would be perfect addition.

Well I didn't hear back from him for a few weeks and so I followed up with him and he said he didn't think I would want to start out at the front desk and that he was trying to see how I could fit in. I told him that I would be totally willing to begin whereever I needed to begin. Even if it meant learning the front desk and moving from there.

Well it has been another few weeks and I finally got a call back for volunteering So yesterday I show up at the Center and ask for the guy and they say "He no longer works here" What, wait, WHAT!? I told them I just got a call back the weekend before and they said he had left to head up the local AIDS walk project. So I asked for the woman that he had mentioned to me, the one who runs the youth program.

Well she was on her way out but we did have a few minutes to talk about my volunteering. We talked about my work schedule and it looks very good for the Young Adult Program So she wants to talk to me about becoming a facilatator for the group. That's like a moderator and group leader. She mentioned the abuse angle and I told her I was totally interested in getting involved in any services they had on the subject. She mentioned putting together open forums and focus groups there at the center. We are scheduled to talk about this in the next few days

I came out at the local gay and lesbian center in the city I grew up in. I remember the vital role that the young adult program there played in my life. I had a safe place to be, I met friends I am still friends with 18 years later. It was a place I could feel good about myself. The mere thought that I will be in the position to help shape the younger generation is just so mindblowing and exciting for me. I need something like this in my life

So my life is taking me in directions I can't wait to travel. I cannot really express how much writing that article has done for my life. It brought me into such a place that I didn't expect I'd be when I wrote it. My cousins murder has really sharpened my focus and brought to the forefront how important my own healing is. I can help someone in the future from becoming yet another victim. I wish this could have happened for my cousin, but it didn't. I will use this road and this path to honor her

I'm so excited right now


I dedicate this thread to the people who have truly inspired me to do my work. They are truly involved and I am proud they are my friends:

RhondaB
Endorphin74
Anotherlovertoo
MiguelGomez
Madartista
Irresistibleb1tch
HeretoRockYourWorld
Romera (tho not a social worker, she inspired me in the most amazing way....)

And well, there are all my friends here who have been with me on my journey and who have shown me so much love and support
.
[Edited 6/7/06 15:01pm]

Yay! Good for you, Supa.

You're such a sweetheart.
Good luck with the volunteering. I know you'll find it very rewarding.

ha!

you're so at your place there, yay for you


I'm proud of you

AndGodCreatedMe said:

why are you never proud of me?

Richard, you are going to do soooo much good. You're an angel.


M

you're gay?

Spookymuffin said:

Because with any stress you have to go thru you wet yourself

AndGodCreatedMe said:

I actually cope quite well..except for 2 days ago when I had a panic attack and had to sit down, drink tea, and listen to jazz for an hour.

Spookymuffin said:

you had a panic attack en you didn't call me??

you are growing up

Awesome!

HOOOORAYYYYY!!!!! You needed this right now!
I'm so happy for you, sweetie!

AndGodCreatedMe said:

OMG! Richard! Yay!!!

I remember when we talked about this. I am SOOOOO happy for you!!

Spookymuffin said:

CONGRATS!!!!!

the center and the youth that you meet there
are certainly going to be blessed by your involvment
not only will you make it a safe place for the next generation to come out
but they are bound to draw from your energy and you from theirs
and if you can teach just one kid that love isn't supposed to hurt like that
then you know your efforts have been a sucess

.
[Edited 6/7/06 15:02pm]

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I'm happy that you're happy.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

Good news indeed, Richard. Use what you know to help others. There's no better way to nourish your body, mind and soul.

If you can help one soul a tenth of how you helped me, they would be truly lucky.

Romera said:

Honey, you helped me in so many ways it's not even funny I love you honey

Just beautiful!! Best of luck my dear, it must be an honour!!

Dare I say that a gay man inspires me?


Yes, I will.





You deserve positivity in your life Rich, believe that.

That is terrific!!!


Im so happy for you

, you deserve it.....congrats

I'm very happy for you!

i'm so happy! see, good things.

*hugs*

U!

That is SOOO awesome for you! And for the people you will work with and help! You will have to keep us informed as you continue on this path.

It's just so good to watch you heal and continue to grow. This is just another step for all of that. Congrats to you kitty You won't regret taking this direction.


(ps, thanks for the props )