And, because they're leaving, there's rarely a chance to share a little insight about our finances. Not that it would make a difference. Because anyone who thinks $110 a week is a lot of money has never supported themselves. They don't have the frame of reference to understand.
For $110 a week we offer a recovery environment. Three meals a day. A room. Linens. Clothing, if needed. Work - or help finding work. Transportation help. In some cases, for those who have been around a while, we even provide dental and vision care.
Yet, in spite of what they're receiving, some clients become blinded by anger. They forget that TLC took them in when they were homeless, hungry, and broke. They forget that we gave them credit for a few weeks until they could find work and get paid.
So, when they come to the office on Fridays to pay service fees they're surprised to find that they owe us a few hundred dollars. And that's when their attitude shifts and they might leave angry.
Sometimes, though, they find that wherever they are they must pay something. And often these same people will swallow their pride and return to us. And we take them back.
Many of them remain and become responsible and sober. And that's what it's all about.
