Welfare Reform: Our Perspective
These are our 1999 New Years Resolutions
| Cecilia | Jessie | Cindy | Alma |
Also, from last year: Martha
My New Year Resolutions
Being on welfare is not the best thing. You have a certain amount of money to spend and sometimes you don't have enough money. That's why I hate being on welfare. Also I'm finishing up my education and want to move on to college. Meanwhile I 'll. be taking my science, social studies, and writing test in the beginning of Febuarary. Until than I'm trying hard to study for my math and my language test. Once I pass my entire test I am on my way to register at San Antonio College (SAC) so I can start my next semester in the summer. When I register at SAC I want to study and major in Physical Therapy which would take me less than two years to finish. My New Year Resolutions is to finish up school and find a job so that when I attend college maybe I can be working. Either way I know I need one because welfare doesn't give you much. My other resolution this year is to be at least half way through my college. This year it's gonna happen for me and I know it is cause I can see and feel my dream is almost here. No one will stop me from getting what I want cause I'm working my hardest to achieve my goals. Once I get my degree in Physical Therapy and get my career going my son will be in school and I'll do my best to help him through it. By any reason he turns on the wrong road I know I can tell him," Look at me, I did it on my own with out your father and went to school, if I can do it so can you." You see I have to be a roll model for him be cause he looks up to me and only me nobody else. I'll be the one with him threw thick and thin.
My New Year's Resolution
My resolution to get off of welfare will be to get my G.E.D, move onto training, Law Enforcement or Computer Tech and get a job so that I don't have to worry about being able to support my kids.
Welfare reform has a lot of good points. The five-year time limit works for a lot of good reasons. For example people can not be lazy and live off of welfare. Welfare reform makes them go out and find a job. And finally women can not stay on welfare just because they keep having babies. We are receiving help with childcare and transportation. We are being given the opportunity to better ourselves.
Another thing that I feel is helping us get prepared to be off of welfare is the way that we are often reminded of the time we have left to complete our job training or to find a job.
I also find that the people who are doing the complaining about us not having enough time, or that it is hard too find a job because of children at home, are the same people that have been taking advantage of the system and see Welfare Reform as taking away their "free ride."
Not everyone has to agree with Welfare Reform, but we have to realize that it is a reality and complaining or being angry just takes up time that we can use to better ourselves and our situations.
At the same time I feel that we are put through a lot more pressure than is necessary. There are a lot of times that I want to give up, but I look at my kids and I know I can not be selfish. I have to put their best interests ahead of my own.
Many welfare recipients have different circumstances that they have to deal with, So it is hard to keep our minds focused on assignments and exams. Being single parents we have double the job an average person does, but that is not taken into consideration.
Everyone is trying to get people off of welfare so someone came up with Welfare Reform, but it was someone that probably has everything, and never had to go without. Maybe they should get out of their leather recliner, beautifully decorated offices, and come see how it is in the real world.
My New Years Resolution
My New Years Resolution is to complete my G.E.D. And better educate myself before the new year is over. I haven't taken any test yet for the reason that I just started the class on December 14, 1998. So that really means that I have to hustle and study very hard. So I can take a pre test to see if Iam ready for my test. As soon as I am ready I'll take my test. The sooner I take all my test I can at least take some kind of vocational class. To be a nurses asst. And hopefully get a job in that field. So I can get a better things in life for my self, and my children. That way I don't have to depend on the goverment or any one else to buy my children or me anything. As soon as I can accomplish what I want to do. I will settle down to get my family a good home. And a better education for my children. As for the reform I belief within the next year it will get stricter and stricter. And only give it to the people who really need it the most.
For example people who lose their jobs. And single mothers who cant get a job for health reasons. And who's children fathers don't bother giving them anything. So I hope in the future. I can do the right thing and try to help others. For the reason that there are a lot of teenagers getting pregnet, and don't realize that the goverment is getting strict. And want people to work for there money. But if they get smart and take care of them self's so that they wont get pregnet and have children at a young age. That's why I'm here to get the education I was unable to finish six years ago. So I can look forward to getting better thing in life for the sake of my children. And proof to anyone and every one that I'm not a low life. So for those who want to have children and depend on TANF getting your bills paid, belief me it wont.
Welfare Reform
My name is Cindy. I am a welfare recipient. My opinion on the welfare reform is that it is very helpful when needed. The good aspects of being on welfare are that we have so many benefits. Being on welfare is a packaged deal. A recipient needs to be doing something to better them. As for myself I don't abuse the system I Kind of take advantage as to where I am doing things to get me back on my feet. The advantages are it provides you with lots of benefits, as far as going to school, daycare, and they provide transportation. I think if you are a single parent like myself and want to finish school and have some type of training being on the system is okay.
The disadvantage of being on the system is that some people abuse the system.
May 18, 1998
My life has not really been effected by this reform. I have no intention of staying on welfare all my life. I only receive it because I am going through hard times right now… Welfare has its advantages, there are lots of programs available to welfare recipients who want to be successful in life.
"I 'm one of those people!" I want to make a good life for me and my sons. I don't want to rely on the taxpayers to help support my children!! That is something their father's should have done. I want to do my part in helping our nation's economy.
In many ways I am a fool for not taking the time to find someone half-decent… in knowing that they would be good providers for their sons… I had no idea I would become my children's mother and FATHER!!!!!
But I am making the best of it and after all, I feel I did a good thing for my children, in not letting their fathers be a part of their lives. My children deserve fathers who would put their children needs before anything else. Their fathers were selfish men (pigs) who didn't care!!! I want someone who will be there for them, though bad times and good times. I put my son's first before anyone else or anything else. I want only the best for my children… I LOVE MY CHILDREN. I am trying to do my best in being a good provider; a good mother and father; a good mentor; a good listener; and to help my children cope with life's ups and downs. I am not perfect, I do fall once in a while but I am also trying to cope with the pressures of life, I have no one to turn to for companionship. But that's when I remind myself of how much my children Love me and are depending on me to be there for them.
My children mean the world to me, I have a son who is 10 years old and he is quiet the little protector of me, he always wants to know what I am doing all the time… he gets a little angry when I go out once in a while … I get upset sometimes but he is only looking out for me, "He cares about me!!" And there's my "little one", he is 2 years old and going on 10, he is very attached to me, he is barely getting out of his "Terrible Twos" I feel like going nuts sometimes… but I Love my little one dearly. I want to do so much for them. But it will take some time and hard work to get there. I feel my priorities are good at this time. I am moving on, forgetting about the past…(in thinking of what I should have done)and looking at now and to my future, knowing I will succeed in obtaining my long-time goal of "BEING A BETTER PROVIDER FOR MY CHILDREN!"
I am going to school (college), I am majoring in networking administration but it is difficult, I know I can do it, I am determined in succeeding.
I am a high school graduate… I am attending GED classes at this moment to upgrade my skills. I now, truly understand how important having an education is… I have a better understanding on how hard it is or can be. I have to commend these women here for succeed in getting their education back on track, they all have children , too. That deserves recognition!!!! I would change the welfare laws by making sure to give these women longer benefits, write them letter's of encouragement and praise to show them that the system cares for what they are doing. And also the countless of other women out there that are on welfare and trying to be self sufficient. I'd also give these kinds of people incentives on what they have accomplished. I would show a genuine interest in their goals, and what the system can do to help them accomplished their goals.
I would change the attitude that welfare is not a dirty word. That people on it should not be treated as second class citizens and deserve the same respect as someone who is well off. I'd give it a new meaning; a temporary place to get help for the citizens who want to be a better provider for their families and who are willing to do it with the help of welfare services.
All people need help, at least once in their lifetime. Being on welfare shouldn't make you feel low and depressed. The reform should help people who are willing to accept the programs, so they can better their lives. Sometimes I feel so down because people think wrong about me..That I am lazy, that I don't want to work; but that is further than the truth. It is only a temporary situation. I plan to get up-to-date experience to obtain a good paying job so that I never have to rely on welfare again. I want my children to look up to me and my accomplishments and follow in my footsteps, "You Have To Work Hard For What You Want in Life."
I know I can not change the laws of the reform, but I will go on, coping with this reform, because I know I will soon be self-sufficient. These are word of encouragement, experience, my future, the love for my children, the effects of welfare reform, the good and bad about it, and what I would do if I could change the welfare reform laws.
You must take advantage of everything. Welfare has to offer you, to make your family's life better!!!
Don't be discourage if you fall, get up, brush your self off, and try again. Have a positive attitude. Look towards the future and it will only get better!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ MY THOUGHTS!!!!!!!!
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