FROM WELFARE TO WINNING

How I Used Public Assistance To Build A Better Life

BY ANNA BOYD

A common misconception tells single moms that they shouldn’t be on public assistance (i.e. - SNAP, Medicaid, TANF), but I’m here to teach you how to take full advantage of it to get to your winning season. And no, I’m not talking about scamming or anything like that. I am talking about using free resources to help you establish a better way of life.

Many people believe that those who receive public assistance do so for food stamps or cash, or that they are too lazy to work There are certainly some parts of these myths that hold true, given the fact that some people try "game" the system. The truth of the matter is that people face difficulties in life due to one reason or another that leaves them struggling financially and in need of these resources.

It is important to note that welfare or public assistance was not created to be a permanent financial resource for its participants. It was designed to give individuals facing financial challenges a temporary way to support themselves until they’re able to do it themselves. For me, that was my reality for those 10 years - temporary assistance. And that’s what I want to help other single moms learn as well.

So here’s a little bit about my journey from welfare to winning. In 2003 I became a teen mom with no reasonable way to support a baby or myself financially. My only option at the time was to apply for public assistance which I utilized for 10 years. At this point, I don’t see my life circumstances from a place of shame and regret because I realize now that it was a huge stepping stone for me to never be in this position again.

During my journey of raising my son as a young single mother and using public assistance, I found ways to make it work for me To prepare participants for careers that will eventually allow them to graduate from public assistance, the Department of Human Services and the Department of Labor offer job training and job preparation programs. I used these programs to obtain my Nursing Assistant Certification for free (course valued at $500) during a time that I wouldn’t have been able to afford it on my own.

As a result, I was able to begin pursuing a career in the medical field by enrolling in college and setting my family up for a better financial future. I can only imagine how different life would be if I would’ve let shame stop me from pursuing this opportunity.

Additionally, I believe one of the major benefits of utilizing the programs was that I was able to make connections and establish relationships with other mothers whose situations were similar to my own. Our community of support grew from there, and we were there for one another during all of life’s challenges and victories.

Department of Health & Human Services