Edna Garcia of Oscoda was presented with the April 2003, Achiever of the Month award. Ms. Garcia is the divorced mother of four children. Her involvement with the Family Indepedence Agency (FIA) began in September of 1997, when she was living in the Bay City area. She was a new mother, single and needed help providing for her family. Through the FIA she received Family Independence Program (FIP) benefits, Food Assistance and Medicaid.
In 1998, Edna married and her cash assistance case closed in November of that same year due to income. In 1999, Edna divorced and once again applied for assistance. Her situation was grim and child support payments were not enough to meet her family needs. She had no reliable transportation, no telephone and no way to pay for child care.
For several years, Edna was off and on assistance and working at a variety of jobs to support her family. Although she lacked a high school diploma or a GED, she was able to find work at SC Johnson, Rally’s and other businesses. However, she never made enough to remain off assistance.
In 2002, Edna moved to Oscoda to make a fresh start. To assist Edna in preparing for employment, the Iosco County FIA referred her to the Work First program. Edna attended classes on resume writing, appropriate work attire and interviewing. Work First also assisted with travel reimbursement and later, a car purchase and insurance.
The Work First provider, the Region 7B Michigan Works! Agency enrolled Edna in their subsidized Private/Public Section Employment program and provided her with the job lead for her current employment at the Party and Food Center. She continues to be employed there today as a shift supervisor. FIA supported Edna’s efforts by providing assistance to help with the cost of child care.
Edna’s efforts to improve her life yielded positive results. On January 28, 2003, her cash assistance case closed due to her earnings. She continues to receive transitional Medicaid, Food Assistance and child day care assistane.
In addition, Edna has been studying to complete her GED. She is only five credits away and plans to fulfill her requirements next fall.
Ms. Garcia is the 113th Michigan resident to be honored with the Achiever of the Month award.
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Edna Garcia of Oscoda was presented with the April 2003, Achiever of the Month award. Ms. Garcia is the divorced mother of four children. Her involvement with the Family Indepedence Agency (FIA) began in September of 1997, when she was living in the Bay City area. She was a new mother, single and needed help providing for her family. Through the FIA she received Family Independence Program (FIP) benefits, Food Assistance and Medicaid.
