A Day in the Life of a Client Advocate
When a client walks through Starting Point’s doors, they know they will find open arms, welcoming smiles and listening ears. . . they will find our loving Client Advocates.
The role of the Client Advocate is a unique one. These are the wise mentors, ready to journey alongside our “Start Here” members.
There really is no predictable day for a Client Advocate. In fact, it is nearly impossible to foresee the crises they may have to talk our clients through. Yet it is a rewarding task, one that presents the most perfect opportunity to plant seeds of God’s truth and love.
To better understand the work of these individuals, keep reading for a typical day-in-the-life of our Client Advocates.
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12:45 PM – I arrive at the Center about fifteen minutes before my first client is scheduled so I can get settled in. After hanging up my coat and purse in the Client Advocate closet, I prep for my first appointment around the “Sparkle Table.”
To prepare for today’s lesson, I gather my materials and review my client’s file to see how I need to follow up on last week’s discussion.
12:55 PM – Five minutes before we open for the day, I gather around the Sparkle Table with staff and other volunteers to pray over the day’s activities. Joining together in prayer is so special and really helps to set the tone for the day!
1:00 PM – Victoria then notifies me my client has arrived. I greet her at the front desk and escort her back to the client room. I offer her a water and a snack as we get settled in for the day’s session.
1:15 PM – We spend the first few minutes catching up and talking about her week. Today she brought her infant son with her, so I was excited to steal some cuddles with him while we talked!
I then open up the conversation for this week’s lesson. I begin by playing the 20 minute video on the TV, pausing it periodically to discuss different points. Today we are discussing the importance of setting healthy boundaries with her child.
1:45 PM – After the video concluded, we spend some time filling out her worksheet. She was very interested in today’s discussion, so I was happy to answer her questions. Even though her son is so young, she is eager to build a plan for how she will responsibly do this as he grows up.
In our final moments together, I ask her what she is interested in discussing next week and I answer any questions she may have about today’s topic. As we wrap up, I ask her if I can pray with her before she goes. She agrees, as she normally does, so I take a few minutes to cover her in prayer as she prepares to leave our Center for the week. I am sure to pray over the things she shared with me, confirming that I care deeply about what she is going through.
1:55 PM – I hand her a survey so she can provide her feedback on today’s session. While she fills it out, I leave the room to get her a Boutique Buck for attending the appointment. I meet her back at the front desk where Victoria schedules her next appointment.
After saying goodbye, I head back to the Sparkle Table where I record key points from the appointment and place her file back in the cabinet. I then begin planning for my next appointment.
Not long after, Victoria informs me that my next client had to cancel our 2:00 session. I give the client a call to check in with her and see if she’d like to reschedule.
2:15 PM – I have some time to kill before my 3:00 appointment arrives, so I take a break to grab a coffee from the kitchen.
I head back to the Sparkle Table (which you have probably learned is the hub for us Client Advocates) and make sure I am all prepped and ready to go for my 3:00 appointment.
2:30 PM – Once I feel ready to go, I help Victoria with some miscellaneous office tasks. I make some paperwork copies for our intake clipboards, and I stick some Starting Point logo stickers on our new brochures.
3:00 PM – Before I know it, my next clients are here. This time it is a couple who is pregnant with their first child. I go through the routine pre-appointment paperwork before welcoming them back to the client room.
After talking for a few minutes, I quickly learn it has been rough couple of weeks for them. I make the decision to not watch the video lesson and instead spend the hour listening to them and offering encouragement where it is needed.
3:45 PM – We end up having a fruitful spiritual conversation. As the appointment has continued, I can see their spirits being lifted.
3:55 PM – We end the appointment on a high note with prayer and hugs. After they have filled out their survey, collected their bucks and scheduled their next appointment, I escort them down to the Boutique. They just collected enough bucks to purchase a brand new car seat, so I was eager to share in the excitement with them.
4:15 PM – After they load their new car seat into their truck, I send them on their way. I complete my follow-up paperwork from today’s session and file it away.
4:30 PM – I check in with Victoria to see if there is anything else I can do to help before I head out. On my way out the door, I swing by the Lower Level offices to greet the staff before I leave for the evening.
On my drive home, I reflect on the day’s activities. I have learned the process of building trust with my clients to be an ongoing one. While there are days this work can be challenging, seeing God open their hearts and minds is the greatest reward of all. I am eager to return to the Center next week to do it all again!
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The work being done at Starting Point would not be possible without our Client Advocates. We are thankful we serve a God that calls specific people to fill this need in our community.
If you believe God might be calling you to serve others in this compassionate role, please email our Client Services Director, Abbey Ernst, at ClientServices@KnoxStartingPoint.com.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
1 Peter 4:10
