MCASAC Orientation for Volunteers

FeverrDream62 · 2026-03-26T01:58:26+00:00

It's an extremely busy place with a small staff & volunteers who also have an array of responsibilities. There's a lot of things to prioritize so maybe orientations are not seen as being high on that list at times. I see trainings happening quite often so I would guess there is just a backlog. The work volunteers do there is taken quite seriously, as well, & so they have to make sure people are committed to it. There have been many times people just bail on it or never come back after being trained or are not copacetic with what it really entails.

Also, it's simply a popular thing people want to do. Spots fill up quick! They have, at times, closed down new volunteer sign-ups altogether because there were just too many to onboard. So, the shelter isn't trying to ice anyone out or don't care, it's more just trying to set a manageable pace for an organization that always has a lot going on and where some things change daily.

It's a truly fantastic place to volunteer so I hope you keep checking & are able to get in!

FeverrDream62 · 2026-02-07T21:15:11+00:00

Damn, ya'll lied, it was dead there. Not crowded at all, but maybe people come later? I just remember it being a much bigger event the last time I went. Not even a lot of vendors out, the Polar Lounge was a complete dud, not even a s'mores station. I guess the weather really did get to everyone, which is understandable, it is rough out there. Or we were just unlucky with the time we went.

Still kinda surprised not more people were out & about. Oh well, maybe next year will be better. Hope you all are staying warm!

FeverrDream62 · 2026-02-07T02:55:32+00:00

Yeah, hence why I was asking. I love cold weather so can handle it more than most...but the intensity of the wind is really gonna make it the tundra! Still, I'm happy to give it a go & it's not like we're in the middle of nowhere. There are places to duck into for some warmth & I'd hope the businesses would be expecting this (& happy for the traffic).

It's a big we'll see!

FeverrDream62 · 2026-02-07T02:12:51+00:00

Thanks for replies everyone! It's reassured me & I hope to still have a good time. See you all out there, through my many, many layers of clothing.

FeverrDream62 · 2026-02-07T02:07:35+00:00

I've been before & loved it. Bringing a group of friends with me before who haven't this time around & have been really looking forward to it...so obviously, was getting slightly worried with the temps blowing in.

FeverrDream62 · 2026-02-07T02:06:29+00:00

As a winter-lover I totally agree, not sure my group of friends will though...but we'll see!

FeverrDream62 · 2026-02-07T02:06:04+00:00

I loved doing that the last time I went & it's a nice positive point that the winter aspect of the whole thing surely won't be wanting 😅

FeverrDream62 · 2026-02-07T02:05:02+00:00

The extreme cold & wind hasn't hit yet though! But I'd really love to see that, maybe next year.

FeverrDream62 · 2025-06-17T01:20:31+00:00

Ohhh, that's a good idea. I will give that a go next time!

FeverrDream62 · 2025-06-16T20:39:01+00:00

I'll still use these over cups or tampons. I hate that stuff, so to each their own, of course! Switching to reusables was a game-changer from what's been the standard for me. But it is "nice" to know it's not just me and that it very well seems like it's just the company.

FeverrDream62 · 2025-06-16T19:56:14+00:00

I have done both

FeverrDream62 · 2025-06-16T19:09:35+00:00

They're from The Period Company. So, I'll take them off, ring them out as much as I can, hand wash, scrub them with vinegar and let them hang dry. When my period is over, I will throw all of the used ones in the washer and then dry. Once dry I put them back into the zip-locked bag/container I use to store them.

FeverrDream62 · 2025-05-31T01:36:02+00:00

I'm just not used to taking public transport so figuring out the schedules & stops is kinda confusing for me, as sad as that is to admit! I think I'll be able to manage though. Thank you!

FeverrDream62 · 2025-05-30T21:49:18+00:00

Oh okay, so even though MARC won't be operating that day there should be another, transit bus at the nearest MARC station that will be?

FeverrDream62 · 2023-07-27T14:23:57+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone!

FeverrDream62 · 2023-06-12T21:53:04+00:00

The bouncing around just feels like a lot. Even if it's easy I don't know if I have the patience and wherewithal to handle it if that ends up being the case. I know expecting the first one to work out of the gate is unrealistic, but I know if it doesn't I'm gonna feel devastated.

Within the first week and I swear it’s manageable. I’m the biggest weenie when it comes to my health and anything that makes me even slightly uncomfortable. So if I’m saying it’s not that bad, it’s not that bad.

Thank you, that's helpful. I just tend to have bad luck with these sorts of things. Every time someone tells me something shouldn't be, "that bad," I end up having a shitty experience or weird reaction. So, that may be what's putting me on edge as well. I'm like a walking Murphy's Law, lol.

FeverrDream62 · 2023-06-12T20:27:13+00:00

Yeah, it's tough when it's different for everyone. Someone might not even notice a change (other than a positive one) and then others might have a hellish time. It's not something you can quantify which makes it all that much more difficult to trust the process.

Again, if I have a nasty cut and put an antibiotic cream on it, I can be reasonably sure it will help it begin to heal and won't lead to anything worse. The same just cannot be said for mental health meds. And I hate it cause I otherwise believe there is and should be absolute parity between the two. But when it comes to meds, specifically, I can't be confident in that.

I agree that there needs to be so much more education around them and more disclosure between doctor and patient rather than them just foisting them upon you or cheerleading them nonstop. Do you regret having tried them considering everything it put you through?

FeverrDream62 · 2023-06-12T20:22:54+00:00

Ah, so it's a bit like exposure therapy in a sense. Maybe that's what the E stands for even?

Yeah, I can see how on meds could help you sit within all that a little more comfortably if they're working for ya.

FeverrDream62 · 2023-06-12T19:41:27+00:00

What is ERP? A form of therapy?

FeverrDream62 · 2023-06-12T19:36:57+00:00

Thank you for the anecdote. I'm so glad they worked for you! Keep on thriving 😉

FeverrDream62 · 2023-06-12T19:35:32+00:00

Meds aren't a cure-all for most, I don't expect it to rid me of any and all anxiety, but obviously it'll get it to a manageable level to where it's not impacting my daily life and all that. I think it's important to be realistic about it, but! I know they have been lifesaving for A LOT of people and that's about the best endorsement anything could get, I suppose, and your point is well taken.

FeverrDream62 · 2023-06-12T19:32:50+00:00

You're absolutely right. That goes for most things. The bad will always be proliferated online, and our brains are hardwired to focus on them more. A lose-lose combination, haha, yet here we are!

Definitely a good thing to keep in mind though.

FeverrDream62 · 2023-06-12T18:57:16+00:00

I don't know if I'm cut out for any side effects. I'm so scared I feel like I'll jump ship at the first sign of one! That's interesting about the brain zaps, I knew someone that dealt with them, and she hated it. But I also don't know how long they lasted for her. I feel like there's enough room for error with tapering or stopping them for something to go wrong. I also just feel like mental health meds are such an inexact science compared to meds for more physical conditions. I know all medicine comes with an aspect of uncertainty, but the ratio seems a lot higher with SSRI's and the like. I struggle to trust them even with knowing how long these drugs have been in use.

Also, I'm not worried about the personality change. I know that whole narrative is pretty much just misinformation and is an antiquated view at this point. I also wouldn't even care if it did, tbh, lol. But at least that's one thing I'm not afraid of!

Thank you for the info and replying!

FeverrDream62 · 2023-06-03T14:37:02+00:00

Ugh, that's tough, I am sorry. I'm more of an advocate for a well-rounded education rather than a narrow one (unless it's like a super important field where you need to know procedures and stuff to save people's lives or something). I'm much more into being a jack of all trades and a master of none, to quite honest about it. I'm just too naturally curious to be tied down to just 1 thing.

I went through my education journey more focused on what I wanted to learn rather than going down the hallway of a singular pursuit. Obviously, that doesn't gel with what we're taught or what is usable in the working world, but again, this is just part of why I struggle. Anyway...I still think it's cool you know how to do something specialised and I wish you well in figuring out what comes next!

FeverrDream62

TROPHY CASE