Hello
I'm am new to your board, and I'm excited about connecting with other caring clowns. I have been clowning for 3 years now. I don't know where to start my question... by profession, I work full time as a hospice social worker, and part time at a local hospital. I have clowned at two of the major hopitals here in Kansas City, both who have given me an open door to come back whenever I want to. (volunteer of course.) I have clowned at several of the nursing homes I work with regularly, and in many of my hospice patients homes. I also recently start volunteering my social work skills for a family/childrens grief support group, and when they found out I was a clown, they were just estatic. I however, hesitated to commit to doing anything, because I know they can't afford to pay anything. And I have been worned by clowns who make their living by clowning, not to do "free" work because it ruines the business.

The hospice I work for is very interested in starting a humor therapy program, and it was kinda of quick thing. They had to get board, approval and I threw together a proposal so that they would pay me my normal salaried rate and I would be allowed to clown 8 hours a month. I also requested a fee for supplies like stickers and give-a-ways. I haven't heard back from the board yet...so we'll see.

The thing is...I feel I have lots of open doors I could walk through for clowning. I could easily find places to clown full time. But I don't know where to start. I don't clown regularly for any given place because no one wants to pay, and I simply don't have the resources to keep buying the amount of stickers and balloons it takes to constantly clown. I am working to find a clown alley in my area. I sometimes do activities with a group in Liberty, but that's a different community than where I'm at. And I'm going to try out an alley that meets in south KC are and see if they are a better fit...but right now, I'm clowning alone.

I have been told that if I wanted to start clowning full time, that the best way to go is get a corporate sponser? As a social worker, I have written grants before, and I was also a marketing major for 2 years in college, so the idea is not completely overwhelming, but I'm not sure what the best approach is? How do I transition from my normal job, to clowning and maintaint financial security. I'm not married, so it's only my income to support me. Part of me thinks I'm crazy for even thinking about giving up a solid career for clowning... I don't know. I just know, that when I clowned for my hospice patients a month ago, and went back to see one of them yesterday..he still had my balloon flower, and a tattered "seal of approval" sicker on his pajama's, and said he makes them transfer the sticker every time they change his clothes, and he's smile and pride just radiated....I know clowning made a huge impact on his quality of life. I need to do it more, cuz their is a huge need!

Sorry this is so long, but I would love any input people have. Thanks so much. Christina....