Success Stories

REAL Services, Inc. Grant Helps Single Mother Find Work Client Testimonial

Last year I returned from Maryland due to an abusive relationship in which I was dependent on him for many years.

When I returned I had to get my life back together. When I returned I had to live with my mother again; looking to gain employment like I had before I left. From the time I got back to Indiana, January to December, I was actively looking for work. I could not find any employment.

In September, 2009, I got ill and was admitted into the hospital. At that time I was not working with no health insurance or other source of income other than the help from my mother. I then had to apply for assistance such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly Food Stamps, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). My daughter already had Medicaid for herself. I never really thought I could get it for myself; however, I thought I’d try because of the bill I had from being hospitalized.

Since receiving TANF my caseworker informed me that I would have to participate in a program called the IMPACT job training program; which I thought was great anyway, because I was looking for work. I went through workshops and then I was required to look for employment 18 hours a week; in which I did and still was unsuccessful. After 5 weeks of job search, we were then required to do a CWEP (Community Work Experience Program) to gain work skills. I had 14 years in the hospitality industry so I knew already what it took to keep a job but I just couldn’t GET a job.

So I had to find a CWEP of my choice; preferably, a nonprofit to volunteer my time. Someone I knew is a former resident of Dismas House and still had close ties to the Director and contacted her about allowing me to volunteer there at the house. I started the 1st week of December, 2009 at Dismas (doing inventory, cleaning, copy making - just basically odds and ends).

As my time progressed here at Dismas, Maria started to see my actual ability of what I could do and so she nurtured that. She then started to give me more responsibility and I became more active in the clerical aspect at Dismas. I volunteered at Dismas for 3 months approximately 30+ hours a week and I was only required to do 18 hours a week. I did it not because I had to but because I enjoyed my time here and with the residents. As much as they have said I have helped them; they have helped me...spiritually and gave me the drive to do my best at whatever it is I do in my life.

Staff approached me about the ARRA funding grant and asked if I fell within the income guidelines and I did. Staff expressed to me that I had proven myself and would love to have me as part of her staff and get paid for it. Of course being a single mom of one, I jumped at the opportunity. Since then my life has completely changed.

“I have learned so much and have gained so many more skills that will make me even more of an asset when I have to leave here and gain employment elsewhere. Because of this funding I am able to be self sufficient again as I was before I became involved in a destructive relationship”.

In May of this year my daughter and I were literally homeless; some would say it was horrible but I had to look at it as a sign for me and my daughter to move on and get our OWN place. Through Dismas House not only was I able to gain employment but I was able to gain a home for my daughter and me. And through the kindness of others; a board member of Dismas was able to help me with furnishing my whole apartment through his network of friends. A year ago today I was jobless, broke, and at times hopeless ...now I’m back to where I was years ago and it feels great. Because this funding will be running out in September, I will be back to looking for employment, however this time I will be able to market the skills I have attained here at Dismas. Had this ARRA grant not come into the path of my life, I would probably still be without a job and have no home.