has it worked? >> no. >> reporter: we first met ann valdez four years ago. she was living with her children in this apartment complex. >> poverty is very demoralizing. >> reporter: welfare and food stamps got her by, barely, as she looked for work. we came back a year later to see how ann was doing. has the situation gotten better for you? >> reporter: no, it hasn't changed much. her son said this is what he wanted to see. >> senator, congressman, even the mayor to come down here, see what is going on. see how destroyed these neighborhoods are. the spirits of these people. they are completely gone. >> reporter: a long struggle with skoelly yoes sis means she