Gentrification is a shift in an urban community toward wealthier residents and/or businesses and increasing property values.Gentrification is typically the result of investment in a community by real estate development businesses, local government, or community activists, and can often spur economic development, attract business, and lower crime rates. In addition to these potential benefits, gentrification can lead to population migration, which involves poorer residents being displaced by wealthier newcomers.
Prior to this project and research, I had given very little thought about Gentrification.Picture of Elaine's Home
Journal Entry #3 - 7/18
After the second interview, I was feeling a bit off. I’m not sure
as to why. Maybe its because she is such a remarkable and loving soul, who I
feel so badly for. I’m making a few calls today and one of them will be a call
to a reverse mortgage banker and to be honest, I feel uncomfortable about it.
Maybe I feel like I am stepping on toes by helping Elaine? But her only
daughter seems to have little involvement with anything around Elian’s predicament.
Or maybe, I just feel so much for her after all that she has shared with me
that I can almost feel her helplessness in my own heart. When in difficult situations, at work with
clients or just in life, I try to imagine being in the other person’s shoes.
And frankly, after talking for hours with her, I still can’t imagine how she is
holding it together. I don’t imagine that I could be as strong as she is. However,
I also think that there is a part of her
deep in her heart that is aching ever so badly everyday. She is simply an astonishing
woman and I am extremely lucky to have met her. I find myself telling family,
friends, and co-workers about this remarkable woman.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentrification
Stories impact us more than the teller of the story can know. That's why they are so powerful. Let's talk more about your discomfort in class. It is difficult not to get drawn in - and as a social worker it makes good sense - as a compassionate human it makes good sense.
ReplyDeletePatrick, you are giving Elaine such a gift in being fully present to her and taking her story to heart. I've been thinking for some time that the collecting of oral histories feels more like journalism than social work, but your project is a perfect example of the difference. A journalist would tell her story without helping, even if he or she had the resources to assist in some way, whereas a social worker would know the telling of the story is not more important than meeting the subject's real, urgent needs (at least that's what I'd hope). Thank you for sharing the journey with us.
ReplyDeletePatrick,
ReplyDeleteI think that it is great that you are stepping in and giving Elaine help where she needs it, I would not feel that your are over stepping your boundaries. It is very confusing for people especially the elderly when it comes to some financial information especially reverse mortgages. I think the most important thing is that your are spending time with her and just telling her story which is only one of so many. Just talking to her is probably the best thing that she has been able to do in such a long time. Human interaction is the most powerful source of one self worth.
Patrick ,
ReplyDeleteI do not think that you are over stepping, as social workers were have roles to play, teacher role, activist role, advocate role, and catalyst role- Being a catalyst we want to bring resources and expertise to bear on an issue, and we want to enable and inspire others – individual advocates. You are being all of those things! I think the uncomfortable is the feeling and care you possess as a person. Maybe her daughter doesn't know how to help her, and I am sure that deep down Elaine is struggling terribly, it is coming out in her story and in her resistance and drive to stay for as long as she can. Provide the information does not mean you are making the decision. If she asked you for information of other services wouldn't you help gather the info or provide a resource. You are doing great work, dont doubt yourself. Being present is sometimes enough too.