I came from a happy but dysfunctional family. My father died when I was in college, no one ever talked about the grief (to this day I wonder how much of me died that day also.). I graduated college during a recession and “career” jobs were tough to find. I settled on a number of other “jobs” until I got a break working a 2 decent paying job in a different city (than I was living in), so I moved (not having my father around for career advise also hurt). I got caught up in the life style that these new jobs afforded me, and ended up losing one of them and finally had to declare bankruptcy. (I was working 2 part-time jobs, volunteering at 2 different places (National Zoo and a Pet adoption center, and going to community college part-time. It left little personal time for myself, but I loved it and it was the happiest time of my life) by the time my bankruptcy was through, I had lost my apartment. I ended up losing one part-time job and getting laid off from the other. While I was unemployed for 3 weeks I applied for Medicaid. I ended up taking a lower paying job because of unemployment’s requirement that you be “able and available” for work. After qualifying for medical insurance from the lower paying job, I gave up Medicaid. I now had co-pays and deductibles which I couldn’t afford. I had to have my doctor write a 30 day supply, of an essential medicine for me, instead of a 90 day supply because I couldn’t afford the deductible. Fortunately I reaffirmed the car loan and began living in my car.
After about 3 months of living in my car I got a section 8 voucher (which I never ended up using and eventually lost, but came close to using a couple of times. When your incomes changes your income in one month is what the Housing Authority bases your rent on. Because my income increased more than the limit for 1 person I lost the voucher.). When I got a higher paying job and put an application in for an apartment, the property management company took 2 weeks on the application and another 2 weeks on the references.
After the 4 weeks my income no longer qualified for a section 8 voucher. I ended up losing the higher paying job due to my hours getting cut and went back to living in my car.
I used to have a twitter account but it got suspended for
“suspicious activity” (I was campaigning for Conor Lamb and posting those ads on other people’s threads. Yes homeless people can be politically active. Congrats to Conor). One time on twitter I posted a birthday card to Bill Gates (it was around the time Jeff Bezsos had just overtaken Bill wealth wise). I remember thinking to myself, after I posted the card if I only had $15.00/hr. full-time job that would be my big break and I wouldn’t have to deal with social services, live in my car, etc. In a later post on twitter to Mr. Gates I thanked him for all his philanthropic work (I would also thank Social Services and the churches that supported me, but it’s not like being independent.).
Having someone rich for a President (who is only interested in having tax reform benefit the top 1% and having a foundation as a piggy bank for himself and his family makes me appreciate people like Bill Gates and Warren Buffet all the more.).
For 3 months last winter I stayed at a cold weather shelter (when I went to a food pantry I ended up donating the food to the shelter. My way of give back to the people who have helped me.).
In the time since, I have developed some health problems (I had to give up a couple of jobs because of them.). I went to DORS (Department of Rehabilitative Services), where I found out I wasn’t “disabled enough” (just one more crack in the system that I have fallen through).
My current situation is I’m in low-income housing, unemployed with no money, behind on my car payment, but I am still up beat. If people want to know how Job can still have faith after losing
everything it’s because material things can be replaced and life is what you make it.
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly;defend the rights of the poor and needy. –Proverbs 31:8-9
I am in jeopardy of losing my car (I am behind on my car payments, I haven’t worked in 2 months). The loss of my car would be a great impediment to finding a good job. That (good job) would help me get out of my situation. I received food stamps, I have gotten Februarys’ allotment because of the shutdown. Not everyone on Food
Stamps likes being unemployed. I have started volunteering at a non-profit in my city. It feels good to give back again. I want to work my way through this.
The system is broke. It needs innovative programs, but mostly it needs a national $15.00/hr. minimum wage.
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