The Voices Project

The Health Care System

My experience with the health care system has been poor.

One and a half years ago I had a right total knee replacement. I had difficulty with the anesthesia; I then had a new social worker who did not know the various rehabilitation facilities. She asked me where I wanted to go and gave me a few names of facilities, one of which I had worked at prior to my surgery and I wasn’t impressed. I declined; however, I was not totally alert due to the anesthesia. So my husband located a rehabilitation facility. I was at the rehab center for about three weeks. Once I was home I had home physical therapy until I was able to have out patient therapy, however there was a long delay for the out patient therapy because I wasn’t able to use The Ride.  I then developed severe pain on both of my upper arms and shoulders, and ended   up going to a Chronic Pain Facility on an out patient basis. After which I had  used up all of my allotted allowance of physical therapy, occupational therapy and Doctors visits. However, I was not improving and needed more therapy.  Today, I have improved, but I am not 100%.

I do not think insurance companies should be able to control the amount of sessions for individuals. Everyone is different; some may need more therapy than others. It has taken me about one year and a half to get to where I am today. I am still not one hundred percent.

H.B.H.
Crittenton Women’s Union
Woman to Woman Program Participant

On My Way To Making My Dreams Come True

Last week, I graduated from Crittenton Women's Union Woman To Woman Program, a 12 week training program that teaches you computer skills and professional development to low income women in order to help them become economically self sufficient. It was overwhelming because of all the support I have gotten here. One of the components of the program is advocating for something you feel strongly about. My passion is helping victims of domestic violence and through the Woman to Woman program I learned how to do that and was able to start by writing blogs, and speaking out, telling my story to people and meeting with State Representative Linda Dorcena Forry. Now Im getting ready to begin college in September in the Human Service Work then on to work towards becomming a Licensed social worker. Also because of this organization I have opportunities I didn't even know about to do volunteer work for agencies such as Jane Doe. I think if more people knew about this organization so many others could benefit from all they have to offer. Thank you Crittenton Women's Union.

Marsha
Crittenton Women’s Union
Woman to Woman Graduate

You Never Get Through Life Without a Struggle

I’m a twenty-three year old single mother of three. I had my first child when I was sixteen years old and was a junior in high school, I made it to my senior year but pregnant with my second child at eighteen. I ended up dropping out of school, which was a big mistake on my part. By the age twenty I had two boys and was ready to give birth to my daughter just one week prior to my twenty-first birthday. During all this I had already lived in seven different shelters before I got my first apartment.

Finally, I got some stability living in my own home. I decided to go finish school, to be a better role model for my three small children, especially for my daughter. I attended Crittenton Hastings House (which is now Crittenton Women’s Union) where I resided to get my GED. I started in April of 2006 and graduated and obtained my GED in June of that year.

I then took a break from my education for a couple of months to care for my children. I wanted to attend the Crittenton Women’s Union’s Woman to Woman program which helps low income women gain computer skills and career advancement. Due through financial and Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) regulations circumstances, I could not attend the program in the winter of 2007, so I worked a little and volunteered my time. I started a job and realized that I wanted to better myself, so I quit my job and again made a second attempt to enroll in the Woman to Woman program, which I now attend.

Even though I had my children at a young age, I still kept strong and strived to succeed in life. I am now more motivated and am ready to keep thriving to succeed and be a positive role model for my children. I am now going to graduate from the Woman to Woman program in three weeks. I also have been invited to be a guest speaker for an open house for the Crittenton Women’s Union as an alumna of their GED program. My life could have turned out worse being a misguided teen parent, but I chose to make a better life for my children. By the way you never get through life without struggle!

Unfortunately, some women are not as fortunate as I. The cause of this is that most young single mothers don’t have a support system and may not have the knowledge to get the help they need to succeed; and the Department of Transitional Assistance has so many regulations and rules that make it difficult for single mothers to thrive. The government needs to make shelters and educational programs more accessible to that help women succeed.

I think a way that this can be resolved is by getting more funding for programs such as those that helped me and advocated for me like the Elizabeth Stone House and the Crittenton Women’s Union. These programs helped me with a lot of things from interviewing, to getting a job, giving me a suitable place to live, and advocating for myself. Programs such as these needs more funding so more women like me will get the opportunity and the necessary tools to be able to succeed and provide a better life for themselves and their families.

J.M.R.
Crittenton Women’s Union
Woman to Woman Program Participant

Asking for help isn't easy either

After returning a purchase at a department store yesterday, I left the store to witness a young woman pleading for help. Apparently her car’s battery had died and she needed a jump. I, too, am a likely candidate for “Damsel in Distress” because I don’t carry such things as jumper cables, extra windshield wiper fluid, and water in my car. However, I had an air compressor. It broke, and—yes—sadly, I carry it’s useless carcass around with me. So, I could empathize with the young woman’s helplessness.

As you have intuited, I couldn’t help her and moved on (no sense in getting her hopes up because even if I had cables I’ve no idea how to use them.) But, this Damsel’s “Knight in Shining Armor” came along. Well, not exactly; however, he did have white, shining hair. The Knight valiantly sprung to action. With his wife chatting along through the process of jumping (or whatever you call it) the car, he reassured the Damsel in an exceedingly paternal way. It was rather sweet actually, for though he and his wife required the use of a handicapped parking space, he moved with renewed energy as he expertly fiddled with the Damsel’s car, successfully restarting it. The Knight advised the Damsel to keep the car running as she thanked the man loudly and profusely enough to be heard across the parking lot. All of us witnesses couldn’t help smiling at this aging Knight doffed his hat to the young woman in a most courtly way (I mean who does that anymore?), and escorted his chatty wife to her side of the car and helped her in, underscoring his chivalrous nature. The act of helping some one in need seemed to take years off them both and I was reminded an act of kindness and generosity can make a person feel. How wonderful it is to go a bit out of your way or make a sacrifice to help someone truly in need. It’s heroic, if you ask me.

Yet, everyday on the Park Street station train platform there’s usually someone asking for help in the form of spare change, and our fists tighten. We don’t even look that person in the eye hoping that avoiding their gaze will make them pass us by. I always feel a little guilty because I rarely carry any cash with me (a fact that horrifies my mother), and doubly-guilty that I can’t assist a person who humbly asked for a little spare change. It’s a terrible feeling.

The point is, the scene in the parking lot and all the days I couldn’t offer help in the form of a few coins reminded me not only of how nice it is to help someone, but how difficult it is to ask for help. A young woman stranded in a dark parking lot is a dangerous proposition nowadays. The horror that your vehicle has betrayed you and stopped working, and finding (even if you have jumper cables) you need someone to give you that jump. There were several people that passed the woman by that probably just didn’t want to get involved, even if they had jumper cables and the knowledge of how to use them. After all, it’s a risk helping someone. That means you’ve temporarily taken responsibility for a person’s well-being and it’s not a calling everyone is suited to.

But, I wonder when it was that we became no longer obligated to help people in need whether they need a jump, a little spare change, an organ donation, or whatever. We hesitate at the edge instead of taking the plunge, instead of taking the risk that maybe, just maybe, helping someone will make our day a little brighter, not to mention changing the fortunes of the people we help.

Remember, it’s hard to ask to ask for help. To have done all you can to help yourself like carry all the right equipment and spare blankets in your trunk, and realizing in life it’s not enough to just have the jumper cables. You need some one with the skills, knowledge, and experience to help you out of an impossible situation.

This is why I applaud the people that ask for help, because it isn’t easy and we often forget that until we find ourselves with a stalled car, a foreclosed home, or laid off of a job. How vulnerable these situations make us feel. Many of us may find ourselves in need of a little help at some point in our lives and I am grateful that there are people willing and able to be Knights in Shining Armor...or something like that. So, the next time someone asks for some help, take a chance and help them. Go a little out of your way, dig deep in your pocket and remember how difficult it is to ask for help, and recognize how courageous they are. I finally did, and am happy to report that I was able to give $.85 in change to a woman at Park Street station. The surprised and grateful look on her face made me feel like a hero, and I wished I had more to give.

K.B., Crittenton Women's Union
Institutional Advancement Dept.

Reinstate Rental Control

I feel that rent control should be brought back into the state of Massachusetts. There is a wide range of residents that are renting and barely able to afford paying the high cost of rent that landlords are charge on a monthly basis. In this society, if you don’t have some kind of subsidy to help pay half of your rent, you need a job that pays at least twice what the cost of your rent would be each month just to get by. How do landlords expect one to be able to pay a high rent and keep your other expenses from not being in jeopardy like electricity, gas, phone, water, groceries, healthcare, and the like? Even worse, there are so many owners that are slumlords and expect to get paid when they don’t even keep up their end of the lease contract.

Too many people are in unstable living situations because of the difficulty of finding affordable housing. The government should be able to help anyone that is in need of affordable housing no matter what their situation would be. The requirement to even be qualified for affordable housing is ridiculous. I understand that their should be some kind of process; however, everyone needs somewhere to live. I believe that a solution to resolve this matter should be effective immediately: the government should pass a bill that implements rent control based on the criteria that landlords should not be able to charge no more than half of what your monthly salary is and take in consideration that you have other expenses to pay as well.

--RP

The Struggles of a Single Mother

Hi, my name is Lillian, I’m a 24 year old mother of 3 kids and I’m writing to you to let you know that I had my first child at the tender age of 17. I was a high school drop out and started working at the age of 16 years old when I became pregnant with my child and had to quit my job and depend on welfare. Meanwhile, my living situation was uncomfortable because my family disapproved of me becoming a single mother at that young age. Then I had my 2nd child when I was 21 years old.

I was in a relationship and had a high school diploma, but I was living in an uncomfortable situation. By the time I became pregnant with my 3rd child I had my own place and a job, but had to leave it due to a difficult pregnancy. After moving back to Boston I became homeless. Right now, I’m living in a shelter, but at least I live on my own and not at my mom’s house.

Right now, I’m not in the best situation, but I know that it will get better and I will be able to own my own home, own a business, and have a happy, healthy family. My advice to you is to be the best you can be, love your children, finish your education, and become successful. Even though you might get discouraged at times, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t accomplish your life goals.

I think what would have helped me when I became a teen parent would have been a counseling and education program that helps teenage mothers know that even though they made a mistake, it doesn't mean that they committed a crime and that there is always a solution to any issue no matter how small or big it is. I think that if there was more programs available to help teenage mothers, there will be less children being abandoned or worse.

--Lillian

Where Is All The Tax Money Going?

With all the taxes we pay the government, why are there still tons of homeless people with no home to live in? In traveling the city, I notice a lot of vacant buildings that can be used as apartments. I see my tax money go to construction and casinos when really the best place to invest is try to decrease the population of homeless by building affordable housing.

I’m a mother of 4 children and I live in a scattered site shelter - which I am grateful for - but in the meantime, it’s not a permanent place to live. All day long I look for apartments, but I don’t find any that I can afford. Massachusetts should spend our money building more houses so low-income and homeless families will have a better chance of finding a permanent home.
   
Yours truly,
Y. A. H.

Upset T Rider

After being in Massachusetts for six months, I have found that the bus system here sucks. I know the word “sucks” seems a bit juvenile, but it best describes how I felt this morning. I stood there this morning looking dumbfounded. After waiting for the bus for 20 min and walking around a pile of snow that stood at least 5” tall in front of the bus stop; me, eight months pregnant, and an older man with a cane, looked at each other, astonished by the fact that the bus would actually roll on by without stopping.

The buses are crowed. There are hardly any seats available for the elderly, handicapped, disabled, or pregnant people. There is also hardly any room for carriages. The buses are usually late. In front of the bus stops, the snow is piled up. If the bus driver does not feel like stopping he/she will not, further more the buses do not run often enough.

Why am I complaining, you ask? I am a single mom of two with one on the way. I rely on the bus everyday to get me to and from appointments, the grocery store, and my career development class. The bus is my basic means of transportation.

I know that I am not the only one frustrated with the way public transportation operates in Massachusetts. Everyday you hear complaints from people riding the T. We need to do more than complain, curse, or fuss to the air. It is our duty to attend the public meetings given by the MBTA. There we can voice our opinion, and actually be heard. We can also contact Bernard Cohen, the Secretary of Transportation, or Daniel Grabauskas, the General Manager of the MBTA. In addition, if these actions are not enough we can take our issues to Mayor Thomas M. Menino. It is our responsibility as T riders to make sure that the T is comfortable, assessable, and affordable.

Sincerely,
Troubled T Rider 

Open Air: thoughts about homelessness

I just left home with nowhere to go or call my own house. I am not happy. I ask my mother, sister, and brothers “Can I live at your house?” I am someone, and I often hear “No, you’re not.” Thank God for my inner strength which helps me overcome my inner barriers. Thank God, I LOVE THE WORLD!

More access to quality counseling would have cleared the path to more healing. I think there should be more health services for homeless people and the elderly. For example, more trained case mangers, more shelters, and more educational programs are needed to provide consistent services.

Ms. D

Communities coming together to stop city violence

I am Kennekca, a member of the Dorchester community, and I have a lot of major concerns in my community. For example, I think there should be more programs for the youth to go other than the streets. I also think some parents should not let there children run all over them. They should stand up and let them know who the parent is.

I also want to say we need more communities coming together for meetings and we should go to different neighborhoods to talk to youth and parents about these issues. We should come together as one to help our city become a better place to live in. I grew up in Boston and the city was never this corrupt. I used to go out and never have to worry about if I am going to hear a gunshot. My small children have to grow up here and many people don’t understand this violence has effects on children and others in the communities.

This message is coming from the heart, so I hope whoever reads this blog understands what I am talking about. Stop the violence and come together as one and we will make it through with GOD’s help and yours.

Love always,
Kennekca

Stress

Do you have a friend,

That likes your man,

That's stress!

Does your friend wear your clothes,

When you didn't know about it,

That's stress!

Do you have a baby,

Does your baby talk,

But doesn't walk,

That's stress!

Do you have dreams,

That you wish you will never wake up from,

That's stress!

Does your dream seem unreal,

But it really is true,

That's stress!

The little things that you didn't pay attention to can be the most stressing things in your life.

*Deanna is currently studying for her GED exam

Safe and Sound

I've been moving around back and forth from house to house, and now I finally found a home for my child and me. We now live with my mom, sister, and brother. I feel so safe being back at home with my family because I haven't lived with them in three years. So now that I am back everything is going well with school and waking up on time to get me and my child dressed.

*Anita is currently studying for the GED exam

My promise as a mother

Baby, I promise to take care of you the best way I know how.

Baby, I promise to always be there for you in any way.

Baby, I promise I will never put anyone before you. You will always come first.

Baby, I promise you will never go hungry or be unclothed.

Baby, I promise I will never let any one hurt you emotionally or physically.

Baby, I promise to make sure you are the best person you can be.

Baby, I promise I will never give up on you.

IF FOR ANY REASON I DO NOT COMPLY WITH THESE PROMISES, TELL ME "MOMMY YOU'RE SLIPPING WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETER ON THIS!"

THESE ARE THE PROMISES TO MY UNBORN SON!

What Role is TAFDC Playing?

TAFDC has been helping families with children in U.S. for many years. Yet many parents complain about not being assisted in the proper way. In fact, we have to sit down and think, is it really the organization's fault or our own fault? We have to consider both parties.

First, it is true that many TAFDC workers don't do their job by helping people in a timely fashion. Some of them are not really there to help, but to get their pay. There are workers who are there to help people, but are extremely busy, and have to be called frequently so they can assist you better. We cannot only blame the department, sometimes it's really trying to help people, but people don't want to take the opportunity to better themselves.

TAFDC is not a program for lifetime; TAFDC is a program that will help you certain amount of time, until you get settled with your life. Some people don't take the proper benefit of TAFDC. They waste their time and benefit themselves with the income, but they don't try to do something progressive with their lives. So, now do you still believe that all the blame should be put on TAFDC?

Where Do People Like Me Fit?

People, for as long as I can remember, have expressed to me how smart, special, good, strong, and caring I really am. People have also expressed to me they felt I would go far in life and would probably succeed at any thing I set out to do in my life. These things have always been nice for me to hear and I would agree. I am all these things, and so much more. However, sometimes I feel life is just downright frustrating and confusing.

People like me, for whatever reason, seem to have been given a raw deal to work from, learn, and hopefully grow and develop from. The game of life isn’t always easy for us to play. To us it seems there are always trick cards being thrown our way, people trying to steal what is rightfully ours, or people plainly cheating and trying to get over on us. We are not blind and are able to see what’s going on! Despite these upsets in our lives, we continue to fight our way through these obstacles to stay in the game of life. People like me just want a good prosperous life just like the next person. The simple things in life such as a nice and safe place to live, a good job to be economically self-sufficient, to have love, respect, courtesy, and compassion in our lives. People like me want to be freed from needing extra help that we have had to have to assist us in our lives so we could survive and be able to live. We never intended to be on any system for longer than we really needed to be. People like me never wanted to feel stuck.

People like me understand totally that we have to crawl before we can walk. We also understand, quite frankly, we might have made some bad choices in our lives that may have caused some of our heartaches and pain that we have experienced. We still deserve another chance to make whatever it was we did wrong, right!

When it’s all said and done, when we do decide to do something about the things in our lives that we are not happy about, we are sometimes slammed up against a wall. Why? We are doing everything we can to help ourselves. We have started to take some of the advice that had been given to us so many times by others who have seemed to care about us as a person, so what is the problem then? The problem is, some people don’t want people like me to become unstuck, it may make them feel better that they have more than people like me have and they may even feel they are better than people like me.

People like me sometimes feel we are used as other people’s doormats. People like me, are like precious diamonds that most people don’t appreciate until we have moved on to other things in our lives. Well! I am here to tell you people like me change the world. We are the people who spread hope and sunshine into other people’s lives. We are the people who are able to reach a wide range of people of all social statuses. We are the people who make good leaders. People like me are missionaries, teachers, counselors, ministers, and even doctors. People like me are people who will and have gone over and beyond the call of duty, to help and serve,

Or just fill in, because there is a need. So! Where do people like me fit in society? The answer is: We fit anywhere people will allow us to prove ourselves GREAT!

Welfare Memories

I remember that anxious, nauseous feeling in the pit of my stomach as I waited for my check to come in the mail at 2:00pm - so I could cash it at the bank by 3:00pm - to pay my electric bill by 4:00pm - so the lights wouldn't be shut off at 5:00pm.

I remember the ubiquitous smell - and taste - of Kraft macaroni and cheese with hot dogs.

I remember the secretary's haughty tone of voice when she informed me, "We don't deliver 'down there'.' when giving her my address for a fuel oil payment plan.

I remember the local housing authority taking our bathroom sink off the wall and back to their shop for a week to replace a faucet washer.

I remember welfare workers telling me " I didn't go to a school like that" and to "get a job - any job" when I told them I'd been accepted at a top women's college.

I remember fighting every step of the way for a better life for my children and me.

And I remember winning.  Never give up.  Never.

Brenda H. Stone-Riley, CWU GED Instructor

Domestic Violence

Dear sister graduates & non graduates
Of the school of fear

My name is Fee; I am a victim of domestic violence. I want to talk about a subject that is almost taboo.

Domestic violence, physical & emotional abuse in our society affects all of us it doesn’t discriminate between our race, social status, or religion. On behalf of those who can no longer speak up because they are dead, on my own self and those who are still in bondage in the school of terror and shame.

You are not alone. Let’s tear down the wall of shame, like the wall of Berlin West & East was turned down in '89.  It is time to stand up to fight this war against us at the physical level by taking this matter to the legislature.

Statistics shows that 4 women die from the hand of their husband or boyfriend every day; over half of the victims don’t report their abuser to police because they view it as a private or personal matter, or are afraid of reprisal of their abusers. Domestic violence homicide narrative on Jane Doe INC annual review for Massachusetts was 17 incidents that occurred between December 31, 2003 to January 1, 2003 which resulted in the death of 24 people, 19 victims of homicide and 5 perpetrators who then committed suicide.

The affect of emotional abuse is disgraceful to women's spirits. Some cases can lead to mental illness, addiction to drink, or even death. It takes faith and spiritual strength to rise up to fight the enemy within, a person that you love, have loved compare to the enemy outside.  It is a crime against us, we women, who have put our truth, lives in the hands of those who supposed to protect us.

It is a betrayal which should no longer be a spiritual crime, but also a physical one in the eyes of the law maker, to make it a law. At the time that we want legislature to make stronger abuse laws with penalty of imprisonment for the perpetrator & help for the victim. We want the legislature to put a system in place a program for people to know each other and to go to marriage counseling, promise to care for each other, to the best of their abilities, to commit themselves to their marriage to prevent the worse.

Marriage is the most important relationship between men & women. Yet not taught. We teach and learn anything from cooking, human DNA, to Chemistry. We even go to the moon to know our planet, but we don’t take the time to know & to commit to each other.

Why not invest in marriage which is the mother of all relationship.  Marriage can be the best thing to happen to any lonely soul waiting for a soul mate.  On the other hand, when it is the opposite it can be a nightmare.  Let the government put in place a system of marriage counseling & advisor to bring down the statistic of domestic violence & abuse, to have healthy marriages & family relationship.

We may not eradicate the whole problem, but we will be glade to have started the process.

Sisters, as I mentioned at the beginning, domestic abuse doesn’t care about your social status, color, or religion. Stand up for domestic abuse. Let your voice be heard by casting your vote today in support of stopping the abuse and give a chance for healthy family act plan, for the next generation to come.

In God we trust to overcome all obstacles.

Update...

I have not blogged in a very long time and before I write any further I want to appologize to everybody because even though being in a shelter can be very stressful this part deffinately helped......

Ok enough with the babbling because I have great news "I GOT HOUSING"!!!!!!! Finally. I sign my lease on Friday the 31st and get my keys, then as of Sunday September 2nd I will be in my own appartment.

The reason I stopped blogging is because I started loosing faith in everything. Seriously. Everything just seemed so negative. I felt like the more applications I was filling out I was getting absolutely nowhere. 1 year and 2 months to long (thats how long I have been in the shelter). I want to thank each and every person from CWU, for a number of things #1 being for putting up with me, lol. Especially for guiding me and my daughter, and  helping us when we needed it. I don't know how far this blog has come and if any other residents participate, but if they do and you the reader happen to be a resident, stay strong and especially stay focused. I can't stress that enough. If I was asked what my advice would be that would be it, because your stay there can be as long or as short as "YOU" want it to be. It all depends on you. I'm going to miss alot of the residents to, people tend to grow on you and alot of them deffinately have a place in my heart, They know who they are. God bless and good luck to each and every one of you.

Hopefully this will not be the last time you see my face though because I plan on trying to help out any way I can and deffinately get back involved with the advocacy part. So anyway, once again thank you to everybody.

~Jill G.~

Working Woman Reaches Milestone and Can’t Stop Now!

Just a couple of years ago, I began to receive a notice from the Social Security Administration (SSA) which details every year I worked since the first year I started working and how much I made every year since. In 1968 I made three hundred and sixty eight dollars – $368.00 during that entire year.  I was lucky at that time to have lived at home with one living parent, and I didn’t have to pay any rent, but we were poor and we faced pretty tough challenges over the next few years.

I am happy to report that I am still working nearly forty years later. I managed to get a college degree from a state school along the way while working. I made progress against my goals every year; each job required more skills and experience, more responsibility, longer hours, and – luckily – better pay! I found an area of work that matched my skills, that offered advancement and that I was really good at. I’m still at it!

If I were to sum up my advice in three words it is: Don’t give up.  If I were to sum up the five most important things that made a difference to me in pursuing my goals they would be: mentors, education, confidence, creativity, and strength.

I had mentors in every job I held whether as a waitress or a professional – seek out mentors. My education, which I paid for myself, has stood me well for decades – post high school degrees do make a difference to employers.  I have always had confidence that I could do a job – practically any job well if just given the chance – confidence generates ability (I once got a summer job as a cook in a private home even though I’d never cooked in my life!).  Being creative really helps when the challenges mount up, try anything.  And, approach all barriers from a position of strength. Be strong.

I have entered my 40th year as a working woman. Forty years ago things looked pretty grim. Forty years later that SSA report makes me proud. A first job is often the jumping off point to being self-sufficient, to furthering your education and creating a better future. Think about what you really want to be and then you have to take the leap!

– Fabulous at Fifty-Five

Sound Proof: Stories of Transformation

A few months ago, Project Hope launched Sound Proof: Stories of Transformation, a new series of audio podcasts of families struggling to transform their lives and move up and out of poverty.

In the "Not quite five" podcast, we meet "Luz" and her two young children. Luz moved from New York to Boston in 2002 when she "made the decision to leave a marriage that had turned violent." She thought they would be able to temporarily stay with her sister, but "Luz would be back and forth for the next (not quite) five years as she struggled to find affordable housing for her family of three."

In her podcast, Luz talks about her struggles living in transition for nearly five years:

"Not having a house is difficult. No matter how you see it, no matter how you put it, it's difficult not having a house because…I have two kids, and moving into someone's house, and sleeping in someone else's, you know, furniture and having your kids go through all those changes is difficult."

In "A Better Day, A Better Place," you'll meet 58-year-old Marilou DeMontigny who runs a community food bank, travels to Providence, RI to volunteer at a dental clinic serving homeless families, and is a One Family Scholar, studying to become a dental hygienist. The once-homeless, burgeoning leader shares a story of hope, courage, and perseverance:

"That's what life's about. Life's about all these different things changing and things happening and taking everything that's thrown at you and making it the best you can."

The latest podcast in the series, "Being a New Thing," Nadine Lovemore explains she "dreamed of being a writer," but as a youth in Jamaica "she was rarely encouraged to explore her interest in writing. …[S]he began to believe that she would never write—because, she was told, she couldn’t." A challenging move to the United States and motherhood left Nadine stuck, "trapped in low wage jobs and sub-standard housing conditions" until she began studying at Project Hope's Adult Learner Program in 2002. She talks about her nearly five-year journey in the podcast:

"Ever since I was little, I wanted to write. …I wasn't smart. I was one of the kids that was just never smart at all. So, my mom was like, 'You can't write. You can barely read,' so that shut me down. My mother, she had eight of us. Raised up very, very poor in Jamaica…very, very poor. That was hardest thing for me growing up and not having any shoes on my feet, and missing school like that. At one point, I had to take care of my sisters and brothers, so I missed a lot of school."

You can listen to Nadine's powerful story—as well as Luz's and Marilou's—on the Project Hope website, and look for more in the Sound Proof: Stories of Transformation series.

Sound Proof is produced by Libby Conn, in collaboration with the men, women, and children of Project Hope. Libby’s work is supported by the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University, The Philanthropic Initiative, and the Jessica Jennifer Cohen Foundation.

I GOT HOUSING!!!

Finally I got housing, I got the call on Friday and they said that they wanted me to sign the lease on Monday and I did and I am finally out of the shelter.  Even though it feels great I feel sad for having to leave my friends there (one friend more than others, you know who you are your name begins with a J.)  It's weird because I went in there thinking I am not here for friends, I don't to make friends, just be civil and show respect and thats all that I wanted in return.  I didn't realize how hard it would be to leave.  But I did and life goes on I just hope that the friendships that I did make will last a lifetime.  Even though I got housing I still plan to blog on this site so you haven't heard the last of me.  PEACE OUT!

Trying to better myself, my life, and the world

My name is Melissa and I am 27 years old.  Well, I have been in a shelter for 11 months and I am definitly trying to better myself, and my situation.  I am enrolled in a training program and I have an interview tomorrow at a non-profit agency (non-profit has become very important to me since I moved here because I want to be an advocate for homeless women and families.)  I also do 20 hours of housing search a week.  I really want to make a difference in this world.  I spoke with the director of public policy here at the shelter and she was very helpful.  I emailed her my resume, and she forwarded it to some people in the advocating/public policy business and asked them if they would have an informational interview with me.  I am very greatful to her.  So far I have heard back from 1 of them and we are in the process of finding a day and time that would work for the both of us.  I am also a member of Homes for Families, and the Residence Advisory Council at the shelter.   

My Good News

Today I decided to go to Boston Housing. I have been on the waiting list for about 6 years now and have gotten nowhere, and especially now that I am homeless I wanted to get some answers as to "Why" I am still homeless. I explained my situation to the woman sitting behind the desk and she gave me all kinds of applications and paper work to fill out. After filling them out she asked me if I was disabled and if I could prove it with either my monthly SSI income verification letter or letter from my doctor. So I gave her my verification letter and she gave me a receipt that said 0-6 month wait for everything, providing that I bring a homeless certificate filled out by my case manager and I tomorrow.

It has been very hard for me to use my disability for anything. I have always figured that I am 27 years old so there is absolutely no way I could be disabled. Nope not me, too young. Well I did it and now I finally have acceptance.

The Long Road to Housing

Hi! My name is Carla. I'm 20 years old and Class of 2006 high school graduate. I'm taking computer classes at Crittenton Women's Union Woman to Woman Program. I'm graduating on April 12, 2007. I'm a mother of a 23-month old daughter who will be 2 in April. I'm currently living in a Family Shelter housing over 60 mothers and children in Boston.

I'm writing to you today because I have a concern on Housing in Boston.

My concern that I have today is that the Government and Welfare is not giving us the right fair chance of finding an apartment when you want to stay in Boston and you have only lived and have family in Boston. The way that I see it is, if you make less money for your annual year of being on welfare (I only make $1,404 with my child and me), it is more difficult to get a market-rate two-bedroom apartment in Boston because their dollar requirements are higher. I have been homeless since May 2006 and I have noticed that although I have lived and been in shelter, there are people who have not been there longer than me but have left in less than five months. I have no CORI issues nor any other government issues at all either. For those living where we are, we have different reasons on why we are there today but mainly it is that we have no place to go or other reasons.

I'm new at this but this is my statement to you: how could you help my child and me feel more comfortable in knowing why we can't find housing that fits us?

- Carla

Waiting for Housing

My name is Jill and I'm 27 years old. My 9 year old Daughter and I are homeless. We moved into a family shelter in July 2006. Not because of domestic violence or natural disaster but simply because I could no longer afford market rent no matter how hard I tried.

For me getting into a shelter was not the hard part, having to share a room with my 9 year old developing daughter was. My daughter is doing well now because she has started playing in a basketball league at the a local YMCA and will also be starting summer camp this July.

This was not the case two months ago. Due to the stress of living in one room I unfortunately had to put her in therapy. I try to tell myself that it is going to be OK but when I see how hard my daughter is taking us being homeless, I know for sure that it's not okay!

It's a big change for her to go from living with her mother and father in our own place, where she had her own room, to moving into a place that houses over 6o families, and having to share a room. In the last 8 months she has been sick 6 times and we have had to take many trips to the emergency room where they tell me she has caught a virus.

My daughter was diagnosed with ADD and received a warning that she may be kept back this year. She is now receiving lots of help from the school in math and reading. This will hopefully assist her in moving on to the next grade. Between her living situation and struggling with school my daughter is beginning to show signs of depression and social issues. Her social issues come from not being able to have friends over because we live in a shelter. How do you tell your daughter who wants to have a sleepover no!!!

As for myself, in November 2006 I made a life change and enrolled in Bryman Institute in the Medical Assistant training program. I am a hard working mother with goals in desperate need of a place to live.

Again, the date we moved into the shelter was July 2006. Today's date is March 28, 2007 and I am still homeless due to affordable housing not being available. I have done my part to try and obtain housing. I do everything in my power to improve my situation. I have filled out 85 applications but I am still homeless. I finally got an interview in the Worcester area; mind you I have lived in the Boston area all my life. My appointment was on March 8 and to date I am still homeless. I don't mind living in Worcester if it is available to me but why should I have to relocate my daughter to a community she is unfamiliar with. If there was more funding for MRVP, I would have a choice in where I would like to raise my daughter.

When I make follow up calls to housing departments I'm told there is an expected 5-10 year wait on the lists. Why? I can not begin to imagine waiting that long however I would have to work 3 jobs in order to pay market rent. Right now my only solution would be to get a housing subsidy like MRVP. Unfortunately it is under funded which makes it very hard to get one. Again, I say to you I have done all I can, and played by the rules. Isn't 8 months long enough to be homeless? Will you please help me with my situation and other people who are in similar situations by supporting funding for MRVP?

My First Visit to the State House

Monday, March 26, 2007 - Monday was my first time going to the State House. It was so exciting for me. I was so proud to be a part of it. When we got there, I felt like I was Somebody. I saw all of those pictures of the first flags and the people who fought for us to be where we are now. We also saw pictures of those governors who made Massachusetts what it is now. It was marvelous to see the halls for open meetings, the House of Representatives, and the Senate rooms. I thought to myself that these were marvelous places. The excitement was when we met the Governor Deval Patrick. He is a man of God. He took his time to talk with us and it went to the bottom of my heart. We need people like him around the country.

- Monique, Woman to Woman Participant

A Remarkable Spring Day

Monday, March 26 - This day was a remarkable day for me, one that I will never forget. My name is Nerissa, along with other women like my self who are a part of the Women to Women program we went to the State House for a field trip. It was very exciting. I brought back memories of my being there years ago when my daughter presented a paper on the Boston Tea Party. That was a great experience.

I am an immigrant from Jamaica with a different Political background and experience. In my Country you never have access to your leaders in office I believe that politicians should not be untouchable.

The experience I had as we walk down the hallway was to see our Governor in Person I was moved and excited because it was so unexpected to see him in person, I fact he gently embraced us by shaking our hands, We took picture with him. It was so remarkable. In respond the Lord led me to speak words of encouragement to him to him with no fear.

I said that the Christian community is praying for him and that he is not by him self. We are holding up in prayer, I would like to personal say to Governor Patrick the words and instruction God gave to Joshua go forward and possess the land.

Look neither to the right or to the left and be of good courage.

I hope when you read this letter you will feel what it really feels like to hold the hands of Your Governor and to speak to him in person.

- Nerissa, Woman to Woman participant

Welcome!

As a leading organization in Massachusetts dedicated to transforming the lives of low-income women, the Crittenton Women’s Union wishes to guide social change so that all women of the Commonwealth can discover opportunity and prosperity. We understand that in order to meet this goal, we must foster a conversation on this issue that is compelling, innovative, and provocative.

The purpose of the Crittenton Women’s Union Weblog is to allow direct communication between low-income women, policy makers, educators, researchers, and supporters on the issue of economic self-sufficiency. We know that the diversity of voices surrounding this issue is a valuable resource that must be tapped if we are to find powerful and effective public policy solutions.

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Personal Journeys: The journey to economic self-sufficiency is sensitive and complex. In this area, you will find women’s stories that are invaluable to the conversation and central to changing public policy and opinions in Massachusetts.

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