Running head: Interview with a Bachelors Level Social Worker

Interview with a Bachelors Level Social Worker

SW3010
2/15/13

Introduction

Interview with a Bachelors Level Social Worker

Finding someone with a Bachelors in Social Work was not an easy task. After many calls
to local agencies and promises of returned calls, I finally found an agency that replied to my
request. That agency was Turning Point Inc. In this paper, I will introduce you to the compelling
services this agency provides for many clients servicing from a few men, women, and children. I
will also describe the arduous effort that went into code calling agencies in order to complete this
writing assignment. Hopefully, after reading this paper, a window will be provided to see the
passion and drive to Turning Point and its employees that enable them to help those dealing with
domestic violence.
The initial step in interviewing a BSW was first; find a BSW willing to be interviewed.
This seemed like an easy task, however, it was not as simple as I thought it would be. As I started
contacting agencies in my area, the response at first from most of them was positive and they
seemed willing to help me. We exchanged information and they provided me with the names of
employees that would meet the criteria needed to complete my assignment. I was excited that I
made progress and was eager to receive callbacks. Days past and to no avail, no one returned my
calls.
The other situation I faced while code calling to agencies was of unwillingness to help
and an attitude of what seemed to be pride and arrogance from the various agency employees.
This disposition came from Social Workers that held Masters Degrees. Although the assignment
was to interview a BSW and some of the respondents were MSW, their conversation could have
been a little more courteous even if they were not able to assist me. All in all, I called around to
eight agencies and received one call back which ultimately was the one I chose to go with.
During the process of code calling, I did not mind asking for help at first. I believe it was due to
the expectation that someone would return my call and satisfy the reason for my call. But after

Interview with a Bachelors Level Social Worker

not getting returned calls, I felt unimportant and overlooked. Surprisingly at some points, I felt
disrespected when some of the MSW degree holders were rude. I could only imagine how a
client must feel when in need of assistance and those that are able to meet their needs are rude or
uninterested in helping from their heart and not just for a paycheck. Through this exercise, I
realize that it is not easy asking for help. Fortunately, I found a BSW willing to accommodate my
request. Her name was Claudia Goeddeke.
Claudia Goeddke received her BSW from Western Michigan University in 1997.
Surprisingly, her first career choice was teaching when she realized she wanted to help people in
a more direct way. She holds the title and position of Director of Prevention Education at
Turning Point Inc. located in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. Turning Point provides temporary shelter
up to 90 days for up to 40 families that have been victims, or as Turning Point staff and
employees refer to them as survivors of domestic violence and or sexual assault. The clients
Turning Point house in their shelter are women and children. However, they service men that are
abused by giving them after care and directing them to resources that will accommodate their
needs. As Director of Prevention, Claudia implements educational programs in 60% of Macomb
County area elementary, middle, and high schools.
This program is an extension of Turning Point and called Empowering with Knowledge:
Prevention Education for Schools. In this program, there are 2-3 sessions per class dealing with
topics ranging from sexual assault, dating violence, and domestic violence. All presentations are
a minimum of 2 hours or 2- 55-minute class sessions. The presentations include interactive
activities, discussions, and a candy toss during the review. At the elementary level, gender
respect is taught to students encouraging them to respect others while teaching them to respect
themselves. The curriculum includes a storybook and problem-solving scenarios children can

Interview with a Bachelors Level Social Worker

relate to and understand. There is a seven-session program targeting 8th and 9th-grade boys called
Growing Men, Making Men that aims to prevent dating violence. Teaching children at a young
age about self-respect and healthy relationships will possibly discourage unhealthy relationships
in their adulthood.
As I asked Claudia what were some of the problems she faced be it agency-wide or
personally, she responded with what would be one of the most common problems among nonprofit agencies, funding. Some funds come from the proceeds of Second Hand Rose which is a
resale store connected to Turning Point administration building. Other funds come from
monetary donations from donors. She also stated that sometimes it is difficult not to bring work
home when hearing of cases of abuse or sexual assault. Her passion and connection to domestic
violence are what drives her to be effective in her workplace. Being affected by domestic
violence growing up keeps me doing my job every day. Having 2 people she is responsible for
in her department allows them to work together closely and achieve common goals which are
effectively teaching young adults how to change behaviors they may have been exposed to.
Turning Point and the prevention program operates on a micro, mezzo, and macro level.
First at the micro level, they serve individual clients who need temporary shelter while
transitioning from abusive homes and relationships. Individual counseling is also available.
Second on a mezzo level, the prevention program works with groups of young people educating
them on what the agency calls D.V. or S.A. short for Domestic Violence or Sexual Assault.
Finally on the macro level, some of the employees at the agency work with the Macomb
Community Domestic Violence Council creating social change by bringing awareness to policies
that would lend more support to survivors.

Interview with a Bachelors Level Social Worker

After our interview, Claudia showed me an area where there are handmade shirts and
quilts decorated by clients who have needed Turning Point to help with the transitions in their
lives. Beautifully woven quilts with colorful patches hung on a wall commemorating a
community of survivors that overcame challenges with the help of people who care. Personalized
phrases were written on the patches with various statements describing the abuse and or triumphs
of clients. I was only sixteen spoke volumes to me as I read over the patches that described the
sentiments of someone I never knew or met.
Visiting Turning Point and interviewing Claudia Goeddeke gave me great insight into the
inner workings of the social work profession and the agencys efforts to create programs and
house clients in need. Turning Point is looking to break ground on a bigger facility that will
accommodate more families and provide more programs during the summer for children living
in the shelter. I never knew about the help this agency gives to individuals and families dealing
with abuse be it domestic or sexual. They offer help with personal protection orders and legal
advocacy on behalf of the clients. Before we ended our interview, I congratulated Claudia on her
soon to be new arrival. She is 7 months pregnant and expecting her 2nd child. We discussed her
views on motherhood and how it affected her job as a social worker. It was evident to me that her
position as a mother encourages her to help the younger generation live healthy and whole lives
without repeating the cycle of abuse.
Overall, my agency visit and interview brought out emotions in me of gratitude to places
like Second Hand Rose and Turning Point. I placed myself in the shoes of some of the survivors
sentiments I read in the quilt. When I thought of women and children that have been abused and
find safety, relief, and assistance to leave the abuser through agencies like Turning Point warms
my heart. However at the same token saddens me to think about the children that have witnessed

Interview with a Bachelors Level Social Worker

abuse or have been abused. Just like Claudia, I want to use my BSW to prevent, promote, and
bring awareness to issues that people deal with in the privacy of their lives. Providing them with
hope and help that shows them a better way to live if they want to get out of the situation they
are in can be done when people care. This is what I saw and felt during my visit at Turning Point.
As I left, I thanked Claudia for taking the time to bring to my attention the perils of D.V. or S.A.
and the triumphs of its survivors.

Interview with a Bachelors Level Social Worker

Reference
Goeddeke, C. (2015) Interview. Turning Point.
Mitchell, S. (2015) Interview Paper, Wayne State University Student.