I'm not sure being prepared counts as cheating. They already know you're not homeless and the ones you talk to about it will know that you're trying to get a little more depth to your understanding/knowledge.
If you were working to broaden your horizon by trying the aspects of my life that keep me limited and dehumanized, I would respect you a lot more if you put effort into trying to Do it instead of jumping in cluelessly.

I'm surprised they can run smoothly without some sort of structure to the Chore System. Maybe I overestimate the importance of consistency, routine, expectations and responsibility..
How do most of the people at your shelter end up homeless, Ebbie? I know it's unladylike to show curiosity/interest in things like that, but I'm ok with unladylikeness sometimes.

How does the Job Service thing work?
Do the bus passes work for going to the Job Center?