Welfare Reform: My Personal Opinion
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My name is Elaine Anderson. I am a single parent of two sons, a nineteen-year-old college student, and an eight-year-old second grader. I attend Monterey Peninsula College. It gives me great pleasure to express my view on welfare reform, since I am an active member of the Welfare to Work plan. Essentially it is an excellent opportunity to get off welfare. However, the time allotted is not sufficient to receive an Associates degree. Unfortunately, I was only given eighteen months for my plan. This makes it virtually impossible for me to receive a degree. If I am given an opportunity to be free of welfare, why am I not given enough time for a degree? An adequate education will guarantee that welfare recipients will no longer need public assistance, and will qualify them for the work force.
- The time limit of the Welfare to Work plan is unnecessary pressure. Without the necessary skills, an individual will in no way earn enough income to support a family in today's society. Presently I am struggling with seventeen units and trying to obtain an Associates degree in Business, and eventually a Bachelor's degree. This requires a lot of time. However, I am determined to pave a solid path to the future for my children. I am grateful to have the support of the EOPS staff and the Women's Center. Their nurturing environment eases the pressure of all welfare recipients at Monterey Peninsula College.
- I am the sole support of my eight-year-old, and responsible for the everyday duties that are demanded of a parent such as cooking, laundry, grocery shopping, doctor and dentist appointments. That is not including the homework that my eight-year-old and I bring home. Then there are forms that must be turned in monthly to the department of social services. Taking on seventeen units is very difficult, and guess what? I also work at the college.
- Those who developed the Welfare to Work plan, must have been inconsiderate, thoughtless, irrational and heartless people. This plan saddens me profoundly. I have spoken to other mothers participating in this plan. We are talking about humans who are struggling to not only get off welfare, but also the poverty-stricken lifestyle that has crippled us from achieving success. The pressure of the Welfare to Work plan has created a kindred spirit among myself and the other mothers participating. I have witnessed women of strength in tears, I have seen dreams defeated of hope. I have felt the anguish that the Welfare to Work plan has created.
-Elaine Anderson