In June 2001, Julie left a difficult situation in Texas and moved to Manistee County to be closer to her family. When she arrived in Michigan, she was homeless, and lived in a local shelter with her three children. Through the Benzie/Manistee County FIA, Julie received Family Independence Program benefits (FIP), Food Assistance and Medicaid.

To assist Julie with finding employment, the FIA referred her to the Work First program. The Manistee Michigan Works! Service Center assisted Julie with writing resumes, filling out job applications and interviewing. Through the service center, Julie also learned budgeting and engaged in confidence building and life skills activities. With the assistance of tribal social services, Julie secured housing and her children received medical care.

On July 30, 2001, Julie began working at the Little River Casino. The Manistee Michigan Works! Service Center purchased shoes for Julie, for her new job, and later, provided funds for her driver’s license renewal, title transfer and car registration. The FIA supported Julie’s work efforts by supplying day care assistance.

On July 31, 2001 Julie requested that her FIP case be closed. Her day care case remained open.

In August, with the assistance of FiveCAP, Inc., Julie began an Individual Development Account (IDA) to save for a future down payment on a home. To increase her income and help meet her goal of home ownership, Julie accepted a Continuing Education position with the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Tribal Family Services.

Julie’s hard work and budgeting efforts soon paid off. In October 2002, she purchased her own home, using the IDA funds as a down payment.

In April of this year, Julie, who was pregnant with triplets, was forced to stop working due to medical complications. Once again, she applied to the FIA for assistance. She received Medicaid/Healthy Kids, Food Assistance and day care.

Several months after the birth of her children, Julie was back at work and attending classes at West Shore Community College. She would like to receive an associate’s degree in social work, remain employed with the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Family Services and hopes to someday be the director of her department.