Mary is a single mother to three children, ages 14, 11, and 9 years. She comes to see a social worker at a local agency and reports that she is struggling financially despite having both a full-time job and a second part-time job. On days when Mary has to work late, her 14-year-old daughter watches the younger children after school and sometimes late into the night. Mary does not receive child support from the children’s father. Mary has an upcoming court date to address his missed child support payments, but she is not confident that this will result in her receiving future child support payments from him.Mary and her children live in a one-bedroom, one-bathroom residence that also has a small den. Most nights, Mary sleeps on the floor so that two of her children can sleep in the only bed and her other child can sleep on the couch. Mary has reported to her social worker that she often feels like giving up because the situation is so hard. She also reports feeling guilty that her oldest child has had to grow up quickly, helping to care for the younger ones. Mary says that she loves her children greatly and wants a better future for them, and has promised herself that, despite her more hopeless moments, she will not ever give up.Mary’s social worker has been able to help Mary find an affordable after-school childcare program for all three children at a local recreation center. Mary reports that she is now feeling less guilty about the responsibilities her oldest daughter needs to take on at home. The social worker also recently helped Mary apply for government cash assistance, which she will begin to receive next month. This is a huge relief to Mary. Mary tells her social worker that she feels hopeful for the first time in a long time.
