I was a cashier at a grocery store, I went to the ER, had to get up the next day and called my manager and said I couldn’t handle it. The last 2 years there I hardly went in, I would leave after a half hr-hr into the time there because I got paranoid and couldnt handle it, or I wouldn’t go in at all. When I had to work 5-10pm it was scary and I’d hallucinate/ get changes of perception. I haven’t walked in there since I quit.
My mom is forcing me to call there, and I’m afraid to. The reason she wants me to call is for a reference for volunteering. I said there’s gotta be positions somewhere that you don’t need a reference. She said most places you do, made me feel really bad cause she said “this is it your going no where”
That’s sad I’m sorry you went through that. There are some sites like volunteermatch.com and idealist.org that list volunteer opportunities. Maybe try looking for more opportunities to volunteer? I don’t think they all require multiple references?
If you go to volunteermatch.com and then select the advanced search after making an account, you can then go to filters for skills and click animals and environment and then select both gardening and habitat restoration and some stuff should pop up in the search
I wouldn’t call in. It’s been way too long. I’ve been in the same position.
What you could do is attend one of those group sessions (I forget what they’re called) where you spend a week or 2 in a classroom setting and another couple of weeks somewhere on the working field of your choice. It’s pretty much volunteering and it will give you experience and a reference. Ask your social worker, I’m sure they know of such a program.
Some mental health clubhouses have vocational aspects to them. The day program I go to has an (unpaid) part where you can work like in the kitchen, up front with snacks or a cash register, and selling coffee to staff around the whole building on a coffee cart. I don’t know if it would count as volunteering if you need volunteering hours for like SNAP or something.
@Winterblues
So great you want to volunteer!! That’s wonderful!! If you were really struggling when you were at the grocery, and weren’t the best employee, I wouldn’t use them as a reference. Maybe start with an opportunity where you don’t need a reference, or use a non-job reference.
@anon57786250, you’re right it has been way too long, I wish my mom would stop forcing me to do stupid crap, I’ll ask my therapist but not sure if she is a social worker? @Snail I looked into clubhouses, there are no local ones but that would be a good idea! @FlyingPurplePeopleMeeter, thanks. The one I did need a reference had to be a professional reference and tell about my work experience.