I am a 45-year old single mom to five children, ranging in age from 17 to 31. I’m a grandma, too. I dropped out of high school in the 12th grade. Life has been hard and sometimes discouraging, but the love I have for my children and the desire to make life better for them keeps me moving forward. I consider myself to be intelligent, proud, strong and determined.
I struggled the most with not having good role models in my children’s lives, but now I realize that I don’t need to find a role model because I am their role model. I decided to go back to school for my GED, and was invited to a scholarship banquet in order to obtain it. While at the banquet, I met the owner of a Truck Driving Academy. She told me about the benefits and opportunities for female drivers in the male-dominated industry. I was sold when she told me that no GED was required and the potential salary. My journey towards a real career path began, but not without obstacles.
I applied for the training and was accepted, but there was no financial assistance available. Then, I heard about the Employment Equity for Single Moms program. I applied to the program and was contacted by a case manager. She explained the program and its services. We also discussed my current situation. Soon after, I was contacted by the owner of the Trucking Academy. She told me that financial assistance had become available. I enrolled and completed the Trucking Academy and obtained my CDL in July 2020. I was immediately hired for a driving position. The job kept me away from home on nights and during some weekends. Not having a reliable support system, my teenagers were lacking the supervision and support they needed, so things were getting a little out of hand at home. I quit my job in March 2021. I started my job search again, but this time I had the CDL in hand.
I was getting a little frustrated and discouraged, then I received a call from the new EESM Case Manager. I was glad to talk to someone about what was going on with me. We talked about job search websites and other job resources. She told me about the Living Wage Calculator and how it works. That conversation was an eye-opener for me. I knew about the minimum wage and I knew I had lived at the poverty wage, but I didn’t know there was a such thing as a Living Wage. I don’t know why, but it gave me a renewed outlook. I landed a local truck driving position. I am home on nights and weekends, and my hourly wage is triple the minimum wage. Next, my EESM Case Manager and I are working on getting that GED.
My message: Single moms, stay encouraged and prayed up! Never give up on yourself!
