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Marcy is a rather candid individual while explaining her week. While detailing her week, she refers to some of the people in her life as “assholes” and “bastards.” It’s obvious she feels comfortable around the two people who continue to help her, no matter how many times she fails to answer their phone calls and knockings at the door. Carrie and Miranda don’t understand exactly why Marcy chooses to answer her door some days and not the others. When the pair can contact Marcy she seems to act like “one of the girls,” although the bags under Marcy’s eyes and her neck covered in bruises from an evening of sensual kissing seem to help answer their questions. But Marcy’s neck is not their concern. They are there to preserve a good environment for Marcy’s kids, set goals for Marcy and the children’s development, and provide resources for her family like food and childcare. Most Americans wouldn’t consider Carrie’s job to be desirable, but she wouldn’t want to be a part of any other line of work. She says the reward of knowing she’s keeping these family’s lives from spinning out of control like a broken kite provides enough satisfaction. Because of her lack of time and a job, Marcy is unable to own a car and take care of her children. After catching up with Marcy, Carrie and Miranda offer her a ride to bank and Bed ‘n Britches along West Jackson Street. Bed ‘n Britches is a service provided by the Open Door Clinic. At Bed and Britches, mothers can get free supplies for their home. “It’s a great service,” Carrie explains. “Because most families don’t think about providing themselves with essentials like toilet paper, soap and laundry stuff.” Carrie, Miranda and Marcy share a few laughs while driving around town and shortly their visit comes to an end after picking up some fast food for Marcy and her kids. After dropping Marcy off at her house, Carrie and Miranda discuss their meeting. Both workers express their concern for Marcy and her home. Carrie explained that when Marcy first received approval in the Section 8 program she was excited for the opportunity. The pair helped Marcy find her house and receive approval of the residence. At that time, Marcy would always be awake and answer her door as soon as they arrived. The only people inside the house were Marcy and her two children. All the screens on her windows were attached and the floor was much easier to navigate. Carrie said Marcy’s enthusiasm for her fresh start continued for about three weeks, but soon things began to unravel. Carrie recalls visiting Marcy in early March and noticed all the screens on her windows were hanging off the frames like a person clutching for life. Beyond the windows, two women and two men filled the bedrooms and couches, as Marcy would stumble to the door looking haggard and tired. When asked who her guests were or why they were there Marcy seemed indignant about answering the questions. Both Carrie and Miranda felt awkward about conducting their visit with two strangers sleeping on the floor, so they tried to keep things brief. Carrie read Charley a book and Miranda talked with Marcy about Linda’s growth and feeding. The pair felt Marcy was taking advantage of the opportunity given to her. After the visit Carrie said, “It’s not just like, ‘Here we [the government] give you this money to wreck the place.’” As Carrie and Miranda exited the house Carrie said she looked upstairs and saw Charley urinating on the carpet in his room while staring at his penis. Charley noticed Carrie watching him and pulled his mattress over the urine-covered carpet. Throughout March, Carrie and Miranda get to visit with Marcy only a few more times as her willingness to answer the door becomes spotty, at best. While visiting another family who Carrie and Miranda also help, they run into one of Marcy’s good friends, Summer. Summer provides Carrie and Marcy with some insight about the changes in Marcy’s behavior, but the news is less than encouraging. “Summer said Marcy and her friend April have been popping Stacker-3s left and right, all the time,” Carrie recalled. “Summer even said Marcy and April have been making Marcy’s 15-year-old cousin watch Marcy’s kids when they leave and feel like getting booty or alcohol so they can have late-night parties all the time.” Summer and Marcy have been friends for years, and Carrie and Miranda trust the information Summer gave them. While they won’t be able to discipline Marcy for her poor choices, the pair can now focus on things they should pay attention to the next time they can visit Marcy. A few days later, Carrie and Miranda go to Marcy’s for a scheduled visit. As they arrive, the condition of the yard disgusts them. The children’s toys are all over the yard and pop cans cover the porch like snow. Marcy, again, fails to answer the door, but while the pair continues knocking for 15 minutes, Marcy’s neighbor comes outside. Marcy’s neighbor tells the pair that Marcy’s kids have been outside most of the week playing on their own as traffic speeds by the house, and guys walk in and out of the house at all times of the night. Marcy’s neighbor also explains that the previous night Marcy and April ran around the neighborhood trying to find Charley who had wondered away from the house. She said Marcy and April eventually found Charley near the railroad tracks a few blocks away. Continued On Next Page (Social Work: The Road To Redemption, Page 3) ... AUTHOR: Zack Sampsel  TAGS: Culture society work BOOKMARK: Digg it | Add to Del.ICIO | Add to FARK ACTIONS: Comment Save Print Register free acount  |
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