July 24, 2006
Heather Brown, Caritas of Austin
479-4610 ext. 242
Hbrown@caritasofaustin.org
Jerrol Davis supervisor
Many days I wish my clients would just be “okay.” I often find my inspiration from my clients and how they have risen above the challenges they face. “Ms. Smith” has had many successes and steps forward. She is a 23 year old mother of 3 and is caring for 4 sisters who were placed with her by CPS. Her fourth child will be returning this week. She had to separate from him during the storm and he went with his grandparents. She has not seen him since January.
When I first met with her, she had a $1000 utility bill and her gas was turned off. Ms. “Smith” took the necessary steps to get help with her utility bill from the Travis County Housing Authority. Ms. “Smith” received a $200 check from CPS to help turn the gas back on and I accessed BSS funds to help with the remaining balance. One of her main needs was a washer and dryer. With eight people in the house and no transportation, getting to a laundry mat was basically impossible. When Ms. “Smith” got her first TANF check she set aside part of it and with some financial help from BSS was able to buy a washer and dryer. I have never seen someone so excited to do laundry. She had 13 loads of laundry to do.
When I asked her if she had any goals, her face lit up and she said, “Ms. Heather, I want to get my GED.” She went on to tell me that in New Orleans no one cared about her education and she didn’t have to go to school if she didn’t want to. She stated that she wants to be able to give her kids a better life and help them with her homework.
One of Ms. “Smith’s” biggest obstacles is housing. I gave her the information on the Section 8 sign up and gave her a bus pass. I thought she might show up on Tuesday. When I got to the Section 8 sign up on Tuesday at 8:30, Ms. “Smith” had already come and gone. She got in line at 9:00 pm on Monday night to ensure she was one of the first on the list.
At our last home visit Ms. “Smith” told me she had two job interviews. Her face was radiant as she told me about the interviews. I have never seen her so confident; she was proud of what she has accomplished, as she should be. It will still be a long road for her but I have no doubt she will make it.
***Update
Ms. “Smith” is currently working full time and is about to move into a four bedroom apartment closer to work and the bus line.
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July 24, 2006
George Griffith
Another success story…
I learned about “Frank” through several people trying to assist him – Kelly A. being one of those persons, who had done some work with him prior to my initial contact on 5/1/06. “Frank’s” immediate need was to get some furniture / beds for his FEMA double-wide mobile home in Cedar Creek (Bastrop County). I got a lead to talk to Bonner B. – one phone call, and she was on the case. Bonner took the lead and met with “Frank”, determined his needs, was able to deliver his beds, and ordered him a kitchen table and a couch for delivery by Gage Furniture (for which he was extremely grateful). The second issue for “Frank” was a critical one for him. He needed ID in order to get started with services through T.R.C. Now, I was on the case… My first trip to Cedar Creek was uneventful except for a few wrong turns, but the countryside was lovely. I arrived at “Frank’s” and completed the intake paperwork; we developed a recovery plan and a game plan to get his ID. Our first trip to the Social Security Administration Office was only was only semi-successful. He basically had nothing in the form of valid ID to speak of – presenting just 2 expired picture IDs from the Convention Center and a letter from Social Security showing he is a Social Security recipient. What we were able to obtain from Social Security was a letter with his name and Social Security Number on it – and some misinformation about DPS accepting what he had as enough documentation to get his picture ID. This would not be the case. We went to DPS, and their computers were down (all day!), but he was told exactly what he needed to obtain his ID and that what we had did not meet their guidelines. Our next step was to get a Birth Certificate; however, the stories that I had heard lately didn’t bode well for getting his Birth Certificate in a timely manner. We contacted Vital Check, paid the $50 fee, and prayed this would work out. “Frank” called me on 6/29, 5 days after we had ordered his Birth Certificate on the phone and he had it in his hand!! So, our plan for 6/30, which had been tentative the week before, was a go! I picked “Frank” up in the morning and into Austin we went. After arriving at Social Security, we took a number… and waited… and waited… finally got called up to window 6, where he presented his Birth Certificate and other documentation – oops a minor glitch – we were so close! A supervisor was called, problem re-solved, and Social Security card obtained, YEE HAW!!! HIGH 5s!! Now on to the DPS as our journey was only halfway completed. I was thinking on my feet on the way. Decided we would stop at Voter Registration – “Frank” registered to vote and I was sworn in as a Deputy Registrar. We were able to get an official letter with a seal stating that “Frank” had registered to vote. So, on we went to DPS and waited to see the Sgt. to determine that the Birth Certificate, letter from Social Security, and letter from voter registration would be acceptable proof. We took a number… and waited… and waited… finally, for $15.00 and a review of his documentation, “Frank” was standing against the screen, smiling as his photo was taken for his ID. In all, we spent close to 40 hours driving here and there and waiting… and waiting some more, but I am happy to say that he got his picture ID and can now prove who he is.
Respectfully Submitted,
George Griffith
