Study the map of the Sanchez Family community and the locations of interest. Note the proximities and distances between the homes of the family members and the locations. This might give you an idea about some of the barriers (and advantages) they have in accessing certain resources. Place any notes about what you observe in your notebook for future reference.
Please note that not all resources are listed on the town map.
Located next door to the high school, the Sanchez children went to Central for seventh and eighth grades.
CloseThe high school attended by all the Sanchez children except Carmen. They were bussed in from their neighborhoods.
CloseThe Keller School for the Hearing Impaired is the place where Carmen Sanchez recently graduated from high school. It has a large campus, containing not only the educational complex, but limited housing for students who attend from other cities, where they can stay during the week. In addition to the teachers, the staff includes counselors and social workers, as well as a principal and assistant principal. During her tenure at the School Carmen was transported by bus to and from School each day to the bus stop, about three blocks from the house. Sometimes her father drove her.
CloseThis large residence houses up to 12 men and women, with three residential counselors on-site at all times.
CloseThis office has been instrumental in assisting Carmen in her desire to pursue her education and, ultimately, a career. Carmen’s caseworker has carefully listened to Carmen and knows a great deal about Carmen’s aspirations. Her ability to converse with Carmen’s mother is limited, however, due to the language barrier. As a result of this limited interaction, Celia Sanchez is somewhat suspicious of her. As she sees it, the caseworker is trying to encourage Carmen to leave her home. Although the Rehabilitation Act is federal, its implementation is largely left up to the states. You can learn about the states’ obligation to provide assistive technology to persons such as Carmen at: https://www.nls.org/vrron.htm.
CloseAll public income maintenance programs are housed in this office, such as TANF, and the Food Stamp program. Although its location is known to the Sanchez family, Hector would never allow Celia to investigate their eligibility for such assistance. Knowledge about TANF is integral to social workers who work with persons like the Sanchez family. For more information about TANF (Transitional Assistance to Needy Families), go to: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/. This is the home page of the Office of Family Assistance, which oversees the TANF program.
CloseThe Shelter for Battered Women, called Safe Haven (SH), is located in a leafy suburb across town from the El Centro community. It's location is not public knowledge. SH allows women and children to stay there for a maximum of 90 days. During this time, staff work with clients to establish housing and employment. For more information on domestic violence policy, go to: https://endabuse.org/programs/display.php3?DocID=126. Current legislation is explained, and there is a “policy toolbox” that allows you to learn more about this.
CloseCalled Spring Gardens, this facility has treated Emilia Sanchez for her drug problem in the past, and where she would like to attempt rehabilitation again. It is located on the outskirts of town, by design. For thirty days, clients are unable to see or converse with family members (except in emergencies), and their time is taken up completely by the program. After the thirty-day period, social workers link clients to AA groups in their communities, and they are required to attend these meetings, as well as report back to Spring Gardens.
CloseThe Church is the most important institution in the community. It provides the family, and Celia Sanchez in particular, with spiritual and material support, and anchors her in the community. This is particularly important, because her inability to understand English well limits her ability to venture out. Many members of the church community feel more comfortable accessing services through their religious institutions. This offers churches such as Our Lady a chance to help its members take advantage of federal programs through the faith-based initiative program. For more on this program, go to: https://www.hhs.gov/fbci/ levelfield.html
CloseThe home where the Sanchez family have lived ever since coming into the El Centro community. The children were raised here, and family get-togethers most often take place here.
CloseJunior and his family also live in the community, not far from where he grew up. This allows he and his family to maintain close ties to his parents and siblings.
CloseThe home of the Sanchez’s daughter, Gloria and her husband (Leo Quintanilla) is also in the El Centro neighborhood, close to other members of the family.
CloseThis is the grocery store, where the family buys groceries. It is a small, independent grocery, and probably more expensive than large franchise operations. But it sells a wide variety of ethnic specialties from home, and the proprietor, Mr. Lopez, can converse with Celia. They also accept SNAP, a federal hunger-prevention program. For more about SNAP, see: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap.
CloseLa Bodega is the customary gathering place for Hector, Junior, and some of their cronies from work, as well as other men from the neighborhood. The bar tender, Felipe (Philip), knows his customers’ drink preferences, who is friends with whom, and a bit about all of their families. Unfortunately, fights have broken out during late weekend nights outside La Bodega, and the police have been showing up frequently, even during the early evenings during the week. Given that many of the patrons are undocumented immigrants who fear that the police might set up driver’s license checkpoints or cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement on an action, the place has become less comfortable for the police presence.
CloseThe car dealership where Alejandro works is relatively close to the Sanchezes’ residential neighborhood, enabling easy access to and from work, particularly on those days when Alejandro has no school. This is important, as the El Centro community lacks reliable public transportation.
CloseThis is the starting point for Hector’s work day. Each day he reports to the main office of his employer, located here, who sends him to the building location where the work is to be done. This work could be anywhere in the city, or beyond. This is also where Junior works, so on many days, father and son are together.
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