Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 24, 1995 TAG: 9511240058
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETSY BIESENBACH STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
She is going to night school to prepare for a better career. During the day, she does office work through a temporary service - when she can get it, that is.
Most of the better-paying jobs are second shift, she said, and that also happens to be the only time her school offers the classes she needs. Sometimes, months pass between jobs.
She had a full-time job until earlier this year, but she became ill. When she was ready to return to work, someone else had taken her place, she said.
Terry, 38, is a single parent with three children. Her income would be low enough for the family to qualify for food stamps, but she has been disqualified because the grant she received to pay for her education is counted as income.
To make sure the children have enough to eat, her sisters sometimes share their food stamps with her, although Terry knows it's illegal. She also borrows as much money as she can from family and friends.
Going on Aid to Families with Dependent Children might make life easier, but Terry refuses to do so. ``I have too much pride,'' she said.
Besides, she accepted help when her children were small, but ``what AFDC pays isn't enough to make ends halfway meet,'' she said, and she prefers to struggle along on her own.
By the beginning of November, Terry hadn't worked since August, and the bills were piling up. Faced with a disconnection notice from the power company, she tried to pay $100 toward her bill, but was so far behind, her offer was refused.
``It always seems like this is the time of year they want to cut you off,'' she said.
A clerk there recommended that she apply to Roanoke Area Ministries for help from the Emergency Financial Assistance program. Money for the program is raised through the Good Neighbors Fund, from contributions from readers of The Roanoke Times.
Terry said she believes there is no future for her in Roanoke. When she graduates in May, she plans to take the children and leave town to find work elsewhere, she said.
She wonders, however, if she will ever be able to pay off all of her bills. If that happens, she said, ``I'd probably kiss the ground.''
Checks made payable to the Good Neighbors Fund should be mailed to The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 1951, Roanoke 24008.
Names - but not donation amounts - of contributing businesses, individuals or organizations, as well as memorial and honorific designations, will be listed in the newspaper. Those requesting that their names not be used will remain anonymous. If no preference is stated, the donor's name will be listed.
by CNB