The guardian angel
Tailing the woman who puts Eureka City Schools on the front lines of homeless services
(April 19, 2007) Most homeless parents interviewed for this story requested anonymity to protect their children’s confidentiality.
It was just before noon on a cool Monday morning when Maureen Chase spotted a boy about 10 years old walking alone through the parking lot of a low-cost motel in Eureka. She caught up with him just as he entered a ground-floor room.
“Hi. I’m Maureen, and I work with Eureka City Schools,” she said to a man who held the door open. “I was just wondering why your boy isn’t in school.”
“It’s vacation week,” said the man, looking down at the boy, who wagged his head in confirmation. Behind them, another man watched TV in the small room.
“I’m afraid vacation is next week,” said Chase, smiling broadly to soften the voice of authority. She pulled out a card that identified her as director of the Homeless Education Project and offered to drive the boy to his school so he wouldn’t miss the whole day.
Looking embarrassed, the man said he was the boy’s grandfather. “He’s got a doctor’s appointment later. His mother’s going to come and take him,” he said. Chase agreed the appointment should be kept. Then she pitched her program.
“We’re set up to help your grandson with whatever he needs to stay in school, so I’d really like you to come in to see me sometime soon,” she said. “We can hook you up with all kinds of good stuff like vouchers for shoes and clothing, bus tickets, a bike to get to school, a backpack, whatever he needs.”
By now, both grandson and grandfather looked more relaxed and interested, and the elder promised to get in touch. After jotting down their names, the boy’s school and the motel room number, she said goodbye.
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