A Day in the Life of a Social Worker

Last week I was given a case to investigate. This was the information I was given: Elderly Woman, Age: Unknown, Name: Unknown, What is known: She is quasi-homeless and roams the streets of a city in Boston. The reporter is calling in because this elderly woman hasn't showered in over a year, and is going around yelling at people and he is concerned she may get herself in trouble with passers by. I am given a description of the woman and sent on my way.
This is a difficult situation. Have you ever looked for one particular person in a city without knowing that person's name, and having never seen them before? All the information you have is what this person looks like.
So early on Thursday morning I head to this city in Boston and start walking the streets looking for this woman who hasn't showered in over a year and yells at people. As I am turning a corner, a woman with stained clothing walks by; I am looking at this woman trying to decide if she fits the description I am looking for, and as I am doing so she says to me, "What are you looking at Mother*!@#?" Yep, this was my lady alright! (Keep in mind I am a Social Worker; my job is to build rapport with people and gather information to see how I can best help.) After that pleasant introduction, the conversation went like this:
Me: "OH hey! I was just looking for you."
Woman: Who me? What's my name?
(Oh crap, I don't have this information!!!)
Me: I am not sure, but you fit the description of a woman I am looking for. I am a social worker and I wanted to see if I could talk to you for a minute.
Woman: How do you know it's me? Is it because I am carrying a Domino's bag? (yes, like the pizza joint)
Me: (Seems like a good in, why not; I mean I don't want to tell her what the real description is if I don't have to, because it wasn't very flattering) Yep. Do you think we could talk for a few minutes.
Woman:Sure, lets go get some coffee.
Needless to say, we had a very pleasant conversation for over an hour and I grew to really love this woman for what she had been through. She taught me that there is a story for why people are the way they are. Unfortunately, she wasn't old enough to be our client, so I gave her some resources and sent her on her way.
How awesome was it that I found this woman? I mean, what are the chances? It was so amazing to turn the conversation from being called a swear word, to leaving as pals.

This week I had do a courtesy visit for a neighboring agency, and their client was in a hospital near by my office. This elderly gentleman had gone in for a routine medical procedure, that was an outpatient surgery; unfortunately the doctor messed up and the guy has been in the hospital for over a month now with severe problems.
The crazy part of this "story" is that this gentleman had invited a much younger woman to live with him before this hospitalization, and while he was having these medical problems she stole things from his home, his money etc. But the best part, or the worst part, was when I had to inform this poor guy that she had come to the hospital with a pastor while he was sedated and tried to have them married. Luckily, the pastor wouldn't marry them because the Elderly man was completely out of it!! This woman thought the guy was going to die and wanted to get everything he owned. It is amazing how low people will go to get ahead in life.

I bet most of you don't get to go home with stories this awesome on a weekly basis!