SOFI Chronicle | August 2021 |
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Linda and her family are an excellent example of what dedication and determination do for those struggling with poverty.
Linda says,
I did everything, legal of course to make extra money: I donated plasma, I would go in to the ETC section of the jobs in craigslist, I would do focus group, mock juries, I did a commercial for face cream that aired on QVC, I racked up my credit card and took out a loan both with very high interest rates. We literally didn't have food, so I would go to the food pantry just so they could eat. I didn't care about myself. I had to find a job that would allow me to be home when most of the time when my kids were home. In 2019 my daughter showed me a job opening for a food service manager for the Palm Beach School District. January 1 2020 I was hired as a manager intern, right up my alley. I have worked in food service since I was 18. I got the job and then COVID happened. I know this is terrible to say because many people lost their jobs but I was an essential worker and worked every single day, I was receiving double pay and bonuses. April of 2020 I was able to pay off the $3,000 loan and $2,300 credit card bill. I bought my daughter a car with cash so she didn't have to keep using mine and could go to work and school. I was able to buy new beds, things that we never had before, everything was always used.by October of 2020 I was back to a regular pay check and had received a raise. I started putting money away, I was so proud when I had a thousand dollars in my savings account, it could have been a million dollars to me. In November 2020 I became a manager at a school, I was not an intern anymore. I now have a $10,000 line of credit and I have raised my credit score well over a hundred points. I have $15,500.00 saved for a house and money in my checking account. Bank of America just gave me preferred banking for having over $20,000 in the bank for more than three months. I have received a $7,000.00 yearly increase in less than 9 months of working there. I have a very low car payment and basic bills. I will not touch that money, I have to make sure that my oldest daughter will have a home always when I am gone. One day I will write a book after I buy my house as this is a very small portion of my life details. I am sending pictures of my most proudest moment ever, Christmas 2020. I bought a live tree, and every single present under that tree by myself, no help from anyone, not cheap things to be able to let them have something. I used to cry every single Christmas because I always felt so bad, this year I cried because of what I have accomplished. I have not yet reached my goal. If I didn't have a section 8 voucher, I would have been homeless and would have to send my kids to live with my sister, food stamps. were minimal but it did help.
I lost a lot of benefits including food stamps, and my portion of rent is half a month of my salary of because of my income, making you more dependent on the system. I want to be one the people who can break that cycle. I am very scared of losing my voucher because of my savings though until I can buy a house.
What is the hardest thing to say to your children? I am sorry, we cannot afford it....
**If you have a family success story that you want highlighted in our newsletter, send them to Jodie Boisvert. Please have the family sign this consent form. **
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At The YWCA of Palm Beach County we are working endlessly towards poverty reduction by ensuring that our families, clients, staff, and participants are given access to direct services within the community that can assist their families with permanent housing, nutritional meals (SNAP, EBT), financial stability, empowerment, high quality child development and education, and a host of many other aspects that are needed within their lives to sustain a healthy and affordable lifestyle. Joining this initiative is extremely important to us at The YWCA of Palm Beach County because we aim to build awareness of this issue within our communities, so that our families are not lost to the system and left unheard. We are committed to doing the work to reduce poverty and racism by ensuring that we remain updated on policies and educating others amongst us on how poverty affects our communities in Palm Beach County because poverty is still prevalent in Palm Beach County and we want to a part of those that are working to do more to allow for change. In 2021, there is no reason for a child, or family, to wonder where their next meal will come from. So we, at The YWCA of Palm Beach County, want to be a factor in that change. We stand with you and for you! |
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PNC funds Economic Development organizations, including those which enhance the quality of life through neighborhood revitalization, cultural enrichment and human services are given support. Priority is given to community development initiatives that strategically promote the growth of low-and moderate-income communities and/or provide services to these communities.
Funding is approved for projects that influence:
- Affordable Housing
- Community Development
- Community Services
- Arts and Culture
- Revitalization and stabilization of areas of low-income
The deadline to submit an application is September 1, 2021
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The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill has passed through the Senate with many modifications in terms of human infrastructure. The updated bill, approved by the Senate includes $1.2 Trillion over the next eight years.
The Bill contents have not been released yet but the Senate and House of Representatives are hopeful it will still contain:
- Improved transportation
- Create clean water in communities of low-income by eliminating lead pipes
- Connect all Americans to high-speed internet
- Create millions of well-paid union jobs to build the proposed infrastructure
The bill still needs to pass through the House of Representatives before signature by the President.
To learn more about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework, click here. |
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- School Crossing Guard | West Palm Beach | No minimum education or experience | $15.64/hour
- Youth Coordinator | South Bay | Associate's Degree and 24 months of experience | $15/hour
- Sales and Accounting Coordinator | Belle Glade | HS Diploma or equivalent and 12 months of experience | $18/hour
- Senior Web Developer | Boynton Beach | Associate's Degree and 36 months of experience | $65,000-$85,000/year
For more jobs, click here. |
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- Next Workgroup Meeting: August 26 at 1pm
- Poverty Awareness Week: October 18-22
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