I work for a non-profit drug and alcohol outpatient treatment center as the grant writer. This is an important position because if I don't write and beg for money, we don't get money in to help the people or pay the employees. Over the course of my 7 years with this agency, I have gotten pretty good at writing about addiction and our treatment and prevention programs. I like what I do.
Usually, I sit in an office in front of a computer, some days looking for places to beg from, other days writing to places to beg from. Most days, I sit and write or look up stats while I email with friends or read blogs.
Last summer, I was able and allowed to work from home on 13 requests that were due at the same time. It was for prevention programs and since my agency is in 7 counties and each county and program we were offering to perform needed a separate submission, I had 13 to write by September 30. So my boss allowed me to work from home where I wouldn't be interrupted as much. I sat with my laptop on my front porch and watched the river go by while I wrote those grants. It was the best, least stressful time!
At the moment, I am writing to the federal government to beg for money from them. I have never been awarded a federal grant and think it would be quite an accomplishment (my ex-boss says it is VERY hard to get awarded by them!).
This time of year, there are TONS of reports that come out that I have to read so I can write based on current trends and facts.
My reading piles:
On the left is what I have to read for THIS grant I am working on.
Due 1-14-2010 and I am on vacation for 10 days during Christmas.
On the right is stuff I have to read just because it pertains to other things I may write about.
None of this is exciting stuff. There are no vampires or wizards to entertain you. Every once in a while, I feel myself drifting off to sleep from the boredom of the facts.
But when I think about the people we have saved from their addictions or the kids we prevented from starting, I wake up and read some more. Either that or I get a comment from my blog. So comment away and wake me up!
Wake up! I think what you do is great. You are helping people by earning those grants. AND you are able to keep reading all those boring facts. I would certainly fall asleep.
ReplyDeleteRing Ring, wakey wakey get your mind back on track and read more so you can get grants you need. My prayers are with you. I think what you do is awesome. Merry Christmas. Mom
ReplyDeleteI really need to do something about my blog! I have some people on my sidebar and some I do not, and it is making it hard for me to keep up with everyone's blogs. If you do not see me in a while, drop me an email or leave me a comment saying "Where have you been?"
ReplyDeleteI am glad to know people like you who are tring and succeeding at making a difference in people's lives! Merry Christmas!