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