Thursday's WATCH Clinic

As Ken explained, at Thursday's clinic we helped Marfa fill out her Housing Application. It was a tedious process, and I respected Marfa's patience throughout the evening. Between questions, I inquired about her life's story. She left Haiti in 2007 leaving little behind but also arriving in America without friends or family support. When Ken and I asked who we could put down as a reference, it was painstakingly difficult to find two names. She did not know the name of her boss at Shop and Stop nor did she want to indicate whose house she currently stays at for fear of implicating him. In addition, on all the forms she put down the former address of her abusive husband, which further highlighted her vulnerable circumstances. Marfa left her country in search of a better life and instead found herself in a situation with little support and a child to care for. I wish the forms could be simplified to better accommodate the people who need to fill them out. However, I am glad there are places like WATCH and friends like Sheila (Marfa's eventual reference) to help good people start a real life for themselves.
-Tiffany