Social Worker in Homeless Shelter

Source Country: Estonia

Source Organisation: MTÜ Jumalalaegas (engl NGO Lord’s Ark)

Is individual totally blind? Yes

Job Title

Social Worker in Homeless Shelter

Job Description

Aleksander’s first job as a Social Worker is in a homeless shelter for men in Tallinn. There he listens to the problems of the homeless and helps them fill in documents required to receive aid, goes with them to the doctor, etc. Counseling and helping the homeless is very difficult and emotionally demanding - one needs good psychological skills.

Getting the job

He achieved a Masters’ Degree in Social Work from Tallinn University. His clients made the biggest adjustment - they thought no-one had more difficulties than themselves: seeing a blind person needing help raised their self-esteem and helped their rehabilitation.

Adjustments

Aleksander is very competent but is helped by a personal assistant to make copies or fill in documents. Since the shelter is owned by the city, he has to use the available computer which is not compatible with screen reader software. However, Aleksander is very competent in Braille which he uses to make notes, label and find his files.

Quote

“I cannot understand why people speak of life-long learning, when one is not able to find work in the field one is qualified for. I found a job in the homeless shelter not because I applied for the job, but thanks to a good friend who asked me to work there”.


Photograph/Image.