Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Times.

The Target store in the gritty Compton section of Los Angeles hired a social worker to help employees deal with problems they face when off duty, including domestic violence and homelessness.

Target now has social workers in 69 stores.

Social worker Saundra Edwards, 64, visits the Compton location at least twice weekly, walking the aisles and talking to staff, according to this article in the Los Angeles Times.

One employee who appreciates her help is Audra Menefee. Menefee’s husband was in a car accident and was hospitalized with a broken hip. The family also lost its car so Menefee has to walk two miles to get to work.

Edwards recently reminded Menefee to fill out her husband’s insurance forms and gave advice on getting a new car. Perhaps more importantly she offers encouraging words.

“I’d be sitting here crying because I wouldn’t know what else, who else…” Menefee said as Edwards handed her a tissue. “I’m glad she’s here because, boy, she’s been helping me a lot.”

Did you know Target Corp. also hired social worker Florence Chung, MSW, as a senior specialist of government and community partnerships in its assets protection division? Chung travels around the country, helping the company build relations with law enforcement agencies and nonprofit public safety organizations. To learn more about Chung click here to read an article about her in the University of South California (USC) News.