More Katrina plans (aka I'm a flip-flopper)

[judecorp]

I just put all of my information up on the US Department of Health and Human Services volunteer page. (Thanks, hopemcg!) They are collecting information for willing health/human service workers to help with Katrina relief efforts. This is interesting because you are considered a non-paid Federal employee while you are "deployed," so you receive Fed health insurance and worker's compensation. This is a bit more ideal than the Red Cross in some ways.

It was a little daunting to have to enter my social work license number on the site, but I suppose that's because they're looking for actual working HHS professionals. Interesting.

I still haven't made up my mind about cancelling my Family Day with Jen to do Red Cross training. I'm still on their list for future trainings but something about the HHS gig sits more solidly with me. Also, Mittens (governor of MA) is requesting volunteers for the refugees they brought up to Otis AFP on the Cape, and I'm thinking I might help out locally instead. Part of me thinks this is a sell-out maneuver on my part but the other part remembers that there is still a crapton of stuff to do on my dad's house and that maybe spending 2-3 weeks in the South is not the best plan for me.

I'm still up in the air about whether to go to Red Cross training on Saturday if there are spots left. I've set myself a deadline of needing to decide by tomorrow. I'm about to go babysit for the next 4 or so hours, and I'd really appreciate all of your thoughts and input. You guys are my lifeline! Thanks!

Comments

[siercia]

You know, you can make a strong argument for the idea that with your specialized training, you're better off doing THAT, helping people navigate the red tape of re-building, being the therapist, helping them cope emotionally than you would be wading into the mud in NOLA helping with physical rebuilding and cleaning and the more physical aspects of what you'd likely be doing if you went down South. It may feel like a cop-out, but the people who are going to be housed at Otis are going to need just as much of your kind of help as those who are still near New Orleans. I think signing up with the HHS makes a lot of sense, given your skill set.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I've recently learned that helping out at Otis requires volunteers to commute every day or secure their own housing. This is kind of a problem, although not an insurmountable one.

I'd really like to hear from HHS, but I also /really/ want to do /something/. I'm worried that if I skip the Red Cross training, I'll miss my chance to volunteer. But I'm also worried that if I skip QT with Jen and go, I'll end up not getting deployed anywhere and will just be frustrated. I know that they are inundated with volunteers right now.

*sigh* I wish I had an easy answer.

[cranapril.livejournal.com]

I'd have to wrangle it with my MIL, but she has a house on the Cape.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the suggestion! Right now, all thoughts of evacuees coming to MA are on hold. They haven't gotten a big crop of evacuees that wants to relocate this far away from where they came from. Can't say I blame them, really.

My .02 cents

[afullmoon.livejournal.com]

I think 2-3 weeks away would be hard for you. Besides could Jenn live without you that long?

Re: My .02 cents

[kieron.livejournal.com]

No. I couldn't. But I would if that is what she felt she needed to do. I would just miss her. A lot.

Re: My .02 cents

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

It would be hard for both of us, but I know that we would be able to manage to do what we feel is right. We've talked about this ad nauseum and she is thoroughly supportive of whatever I decide.

[iansha.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the link, I put my info up there as well.
I have been becoming a little frustrated with the lack of quick response (I know, sort of unrealistic)... I almost felt like my phone should be ringing off the hook from the Red Cross... but, I'm just impatient to 'do something'.
I think the training would be a good idea, but I also see some drawbacks. The first being that, if you are going to be doing ANY work, you need now to spend time with Jen and charge your batteries up, so to speak. You need the downtime. Secondly, I see you like myself... a training like that would get me all charged up and MORE restless to do something asap.
Let me know what you decide.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

My biggest fear is that I ditch this day that we'd planned for months, and I go to the training, and then never hear anything. That probably sounds shallow in light of tragedy but hey, there it is. Jen and I don't get much time together and for the last several months our time together has been so stressful and frought with arguments... and I'm so hesitant to lose even one good afternoon.

I love the Red Cross, I love the work they're planning, but I also know they have been having difficulty getting to some of the areas because local agencies and National Guard are blocking their way. I don't know if I will hear anything from HHS but I really /want/ to, because I really think my talents are best served helping people in the Human Services capacity even though I am more than willing to do heavy labor also.

It's all so confusing to me. I want to help SO BADLY but I'm having a hard time regulating my desire to help with my need for self-care. DANGEROUS.

[poopsmoothie.livejournal.com]

You're fucking awesome. Thanks for doing what i couldn't.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

You still can, my friend. I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities.

Think locally, help Southernly

[thelastbard.livejournal.com]

I think to balance your desire to help with your need to be with the cutie, you should go to the Cape and help as best you can. I really think it's the best of both worlds for you right now.

Re: Think locally, help Southernly

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Right now, all Cape plans are suspended. They haven't brought any evacuees here and most of the people down South would like to be housed somewhere closer to home/family. So we'll see what happens.

[estrange.livejournal.com]

Jude - what does 448 mean again & where is it from? Sorry this is completely off topic!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

448? I have no clue what you're talking about!

[estrange.livejournal.com]

What was that code you told Heather & I in the survivor game that meant I love you or something?

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

143!!

[estrange.livejournal.com]

Oopppss sorry!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

That's okay. It's for the number of letters in each word:

I = 1
LOVE = 4
YOU = 3