joinban
Statements from Recipients
Philadelphia Unemployment Project
Pa. Department of Welfare Community Legal Services Mayor's Literacy Commission
Headquarters
JOIN Agenda
Advocates
Recipients
Public Jobs
Literacy Gap
Community
Transportation

Welfare-to-Work--People Struggling to Make It

        CHOPPING DOWN THE WALL

        MY BACK UP AGAINST THE WALL,
        SO SPOILED BY WELFARE,
        I THOUGHT THERE WAS NO OTHER DIRECTION,
        EXCEPT TO FALL.
        I REALLY THOUGHT NO ONE CARED AT ALL,
        I WOKE UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT,
        I LOOK AT MY CHILDREN, THEN I RAN TO THE BATHROOM,
        LOOKED IN THE MIRROR
        I SAW ME AND BEHIND ME WAS THE WALL
        I CREATED FROM EXCUSES, LAZINESS, AND
        UNPROTECTED SEX. MOST OF ALL--DENIAL
        OF REALIZING I WAS THE ONE WHO MADE
        WELFARE MY FAMILY'S PROVIDER.
        NOW IT'S TIME TO START CHOPPING DOWN THIS WALL,
        WITH DESIRE TO SUCCEED AND A HAMMER OF MOTIVATION
        AND STRENGTH OF DETERMINATION AND DEDICATION
        TO STRIVE FOR SUCCESS AND A BAG AND BROOM TO CLEAN
        UP MY MESS. I PRAY TO GOD THAT I ACHIEVE AND IF IT TAKES
        NOW OR FOREVER I WILL MAKE SURE THAT THIS WALL WILL
        NEVER BE PUT BACK TOGETHER EVER AGAIN....
             --- ILEVETTE V. HUMPHREY, COMMUNITY CONSERVATION CORPS

  • A DREAM TURNED INTO A NIGHTMARE
  • I have been on welfare for five years or more. My son was two years old when I first got on welfare.  He is now eight.  Three months ago, I got a job working as a medical assistant. It was a dream turned into a nightmare.
  • The job I work on is run by a Christian organization.  Some of the people who work there belong to the Owner's church.  I am not a Christian but I do have respect for all religions. These people do not. Whenever, something happens they quote the Bible.  Sometimes I have been called names by these people.  Some of the names I have been called are devil spirit, nonbeliever, and welfare recipient.  My job is always threatened by the management.  Each week I go to work wondering whether I'll be fired.
  • Today I got a write-up.  One of the issues were "Infraction upon another's personal being."  I have never stated my religion to any of my co-workers, however, I have declined requests to come to their church. I can't believe this is happening to me. This job is over for me I know.  I feel very sad about this situation. Welfare is ending, and I may not be able to support my children and myself.
                                                   --     Atiya