Looking for work and...

[riverfever]

I have a student that I'm trying to help out. He turns 18 in December. This guy got into a bit of trouble over the summer and was placed on diversion through the courts. He needs to pay $2200 in damages and is supposed to attend school and pass his classes. His attendance is horrible as are his grades and he's also gotten 4 referrals as of today. The only reason he did not drop out this year was because of the diversion. His case will likely go back to court and he'll get the original charge (a felony) and be sent to the Department of Youth Corrections. I've had this guy on my caseload for a few years and know what his home life is like. At this point he believes that going to DYC will be better than living at home. Right now I'm trying to work with his diversion officer and the DA to see if they'll agree to hold off for a bit until he turns 18 and becomes an independent student and then see if things turn around. The guy already pays some bills to live with his parents (and I know they go straight to drugs and alcohol). I have made a lot of calls to DSS over the years but they're a joke up here. They call before doing a home visit and tell the parents they're concerned about these things and they get rid of everything before the investigator shows up. I know it's a long shot and probably too late for him but I've gotta try. I'm looking for an apartment or trailer up here or down in the Springs that he can rent. He's worked at McDonalds up here for 1.5 years now and he's a hard worker. I'm also looking for something that will pay more and allow him to catch the bus up to Woodland each day to go to school. I don't even know that another school would take him with his discipline record. He's angry about what he deals with at home and hasn't learned to channel it appropriately yet. I'd like him to work at night and keep going to school in the day. He really wants to graduate but is told every morning that he's a POS and won't ever make it.

Anyone know of a cheap place to live and a decent paying job that might fit the bill?

 

[xj-grin]

I got nothin, river, but props to you for working this hard for the kid -- sucks trying to convince someone they're worth a shit when the people that "love" them do nothing but beat them back down...

 

[hurley842002]

I got nothin, river, but props to you for working this hard for the kid -- sucks trying to convince someone they're worth a shit when the people that "love" them do nothing but beat them back down...

X2, sounds like the kids best bet, would be to get the hell out of his POS parents house (which obviously you are trying to help him do that). Unfortunately, if he lands himself in YOS, he's still going to be around other less than desirable influences, similar to the ones he's accustomed to already. Again, great job on trying to help the kid out :thumbup:

 

[riverfever]

The diversion workers are usually difficult to get in touch with. He's the one telling me that he thinks he's going in when they see his grades. I find it hard to believe. He was not put on probation from this incident. I've had perps on my caseload that were on diversion and I popped them for bringing porn to school on their phone or they were caught doing something pornographic outside of school and they didn't go in.

I never really look to quit my job because of students. Sometimes it's because of teachers with unreasonable expectations and much of the time it's because of the outside influences that I have no control over that make it darn near impossible for them to be successful in school.