Untitled

Case Summary:

1. Basic Information
1. Client Pseudonym: Kimberly Johnson, 55 year-old single mother
2. Family Composition: Kimberly, and her 18 year old daughter Tania
3. Primary Language: English
2. Case Concerns/Presenting Issues
1. Housing Status
2. Food Status
3. Immigration Status
3. Medical Issues
1. The daughter’s visit to the clinic was for a routine check-up, so there are no pressing medical issues that directly connect to this case.
4. Social/Work History
1. Kimberly immigrated to New York about 20 years ago from Africa, and is currently a green-card holder.
2. She has a job as a cook, but it doesn’t pay very much.
3. She currently lives in her sister’s apartment, and her daughter has just started college.
5. Action Plan
1. Housing: See if her position on the waitlist is high enough so that she can receive Section 8 Housing, enter her in housing lotteries, and search independently for affordable housing.
2. Food: Try to get her back on to food stamps, and give information regarding nearby food pantries and soup kitchens in the meantime.
3. Immigration: Wait until more progress has been made in regards to housing and food, but will search for the protocol and procedures for becoming a US citizen in the meantime.

Narrative:

Kimberly is a 55-year old single mother with an 18-year old daughter who is about to start college. As her daughter was having a routine check up, she approached me at the Help Desk, and said that she wanted help with issues concerning her housing, food, and immigration. She lives in Section 8 Housing that is under her sister’s name, and she has been notified that she will have to leave this housing soon because they cannot put the apartment in her name. For this issue, she will continue to live in her sister’s apartment as long as she can. Additionally, she is on the Wait List for Section 8 Housing, so we are in the process of investigating as to whether she can get a different apartment. We are also working to get her enrolled in the housing lottery, and searching for low-cost quality apartments independently. In terms of food, she says that she cannot afford to keep a decent amount of food in her house, but she was rejected when she applied for food stamps. In response to this problem, we are working to see if she can actually be placed on food stamps, and I have given her information regarding soup kitchens and food pantries in her area for the meantime. Currently, Kimberly is a green card holder, and she wants to become a United States citizen, yet doesn’t know the process. We have agreed that this issue will wait until after substantive progress has been made in relation to her housing and food, but I am currently researching the protocol for becoming a full-fledged citizen. This case is still active, but I am optimistic that we will make progress in the coming weeks.

--Elizabeth Lamoste, CC '10