Personal stories about programs building the American Dream
Being a single mom held its fair share of challenges. But if you add poverty to the mix, you have a recipe for low self-esteem. Government programs kept me afloat. I received welfare and the children were enrolled in Head Start. These programs were lifelines.
SNAP and TANF benefits help Shayna provide for her 5 year-old son.
Without the help of AFDC (now TANF), food stamps and childcare I honestly don't know where I would be today.
Income assistance helps Marisol pay family bills, train for a job, and receive counseling for domestic violence.
Rep. Lynn Woolsey talks about receiving AFDC in order to provide for her children.
Today I am 48 years old, and I found out that I was infected with this incurable virus at the age of 43. I have been blessed to have access to services here in Portland, Oregon. CascadeAIDS Project has been helping me ever since I was diagnosed.
My name is Katie, and I would like to introduce you to someone who is a great inspiration to me. His name is Will, and he is my son. Will was born almost eight years ago. At birth, Will was just like any other baby. But as Will began to grow, we knew something was wrong.
Linda talks about how income assistance helped her finish her education.
Jamie talks about how the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) provided the income and nutrition assistance she needed to get her degree.
Hear how food stamps, section 8 housing vouchers, and TANF helped Neera and her family get on their feet after her parents' divorce.
