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i was amazed at how badly i was treated when i applied for welfare
years ago when i lost my job.  this will sound like a racist comment because it is one - i was the only white person in the waiting room - and all of the black women were dripping in huge gold jewelry and black leather.  the case worker wanted to deny my claim - i have paid taxes all of my life so that other people can dress like this?????  how can they afford this type of wardrobe on food stamps??? i sat in that chair and demanded that my claim go through and it did.  the abuse of the so-called "assistance" in America sucks.

posted by ladychardonnay on November 28, 2006 at 4:50 AM | link to this | reply

it is tough and you sound like you've got the strength to make it through.

have you tried swapping labor for schooling?  i did that when i studied acting and when i became a dog trainer.  i worked for my teachers, doing office work and dog walking.  i had to work as well to live but my schooling was free.  i'm now a certified dog trainer and self-employed.

in regards to helping the needy, last winter i used my connections to get four large bags of dog food for a guy who was unemployed and had no money to feed his best friend, his dog.  it felt good.  not only was the dog fed but the guy seemed to get a second wind, i guess having the pressure off about his dog helped him to concentrate on himself.   anyway, he made another push at finding employment and has been working happily ever since.

posted by fourcats on November 28, 2006 at 12:13 AM | link to this | reply

I've been there, too, Whimsystoryteller, and you're right, it is hard to
ask for help.  I wasn't raised to ask for charity and it was a bitter pill to swallow to be in that position.  Things are turning around for us, over the last 2 years, and I hope and pray that you get your training, and your job. You're rght, too, about the programs for people with children, sometimes single people need help, too. God bless and keep you over the holidays and I hope something comes up for you soon. 

posted by Blanche. on November 27, 2006 at 11:46 PM | link to this | reply