Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Take It From Me - Coggle Diagram
Take It From Me
Abigail Perez
Children are taken away from her
Children are staying with foster care mother
Zero public assistance = zero case budget
Struggles to find an apartment
Cannot live with her parents because of budget and income
Abuse charge against Edwin and son's foster care mother
Edwin (oldest son) had a black eye and blood clot in the eye
Personal Responsibility Act
5 year time limit
This was great because it encouraged people to get back on their feet and not to rely on the benefits forever. But some families simply needed more time.
Mandatory work requirements
I think that politicians had the best intentions for families in poverty but for some families, it just isn't a realistic goal to accomplish. Some were in situations that were very complex.
Restrictions on public assistance
140,851 families were on the waiting list for public housing; 60% recipients are unemployed or earning wages under the poverty line
Valentina Ruiz
45 year old woman who has been on public assistance for 28 years
Earned $260.00 bi-weekly + rental assistance from public assistance
Had a mother who was a drug addict and suffered alcoholism
Valentina suffered from drug abuse and alcoholism herself as well as self-abuse, but she's a survivor
Went back to the program that she joined in 1989 and spoke about her experience to encourage others to do the same/the right thing
Was not able to get her GED but would like to
The welfare will tell you what they want you to do
Iyoka & Louie
24 & 25 year old with a daughter Mariah
1 year on public assistance with a bi-weekly case budget of $109.00
Eventually, their welfare was cut without being notified in advanced or about other available assistance
Iyoka had to choose between getting an education or workfare assignments
Iyoka ended up choosing education; she wanted to be a role model for her daughter and break the cycle by getting an education
Louie struggled to find a steady job
Iyoka and Louie often argued about his unemployment/unsteady job. And Louie felt bothered that his wife had more money to bring to the table.
Louie eventually became a street vendor. But unfortunately, they separated (reason was not stated).
Teresa Diehl
Has a 19 y/o son
I believe he has some sort of mental disablity
43 y/o woman; 3 years on public assistance; receives bi-weekly case budget of $109.00
Believes that the welfare department only cares about the physical body and not the emotional state which is just as important
She lost her job and is having difficulty finding one
Is on the constant search for a job; applied as a waitress at a restaurant not too far away from where she lives