Kristin Brown of Detroit was presented with the November 2003, Achiever of the Month award. This mother of one applied for assistance from the Family Independence Agency (FIA) in July 2001. At that time, she was pregnant, had just lost her job due to her pregnancy, was ineligible for unemployment compensation and need help providing for herself and her unborn child.
Through the Medbury/Concord, Wayne County FIA, Kristin received Family Independence Program (FIP) benefits, Food Assistance and Medicaid. While Kristin was grateful for the support, she was determined not to make public assistance a way of life for her daughter. She was committed to becoming the primary provider for her family and did not wish to be a burden to her grandmother, with whom she was living.
Shortly after the birth of her daughter, Kristin’s grandmother passed away. Although Kristin was devastated by the loss of one of her most staunch supporters, she was determined to maintain her grandmother’s home and become a responsible homeowner. Kristin has succeeded in those endeavors and is still living in that home today.
To assist Kristin in preparing for employment the FIA referred her to the Work First program. Wayne County Jobs helped Kristin improve her interviewing skills and provided assistance with resume writing.
Kristin’s efforts quickly yielded positive results. In April 2002, she gained employment with the David Branch State Farm Agency in Detroit and, in May 2002, her FIP case closed due to her earnings. Kristin continues to receive Food Assistance benefits and Medicaid.
Ms. Brown is the 120th Michigan resident to be honored with the Achiever of the Month award. She is an enthusiastic and inspirational role model to her family and to others striving for economic independence. Most importantly, Kristen feels that she is making progress toward modeling her grandmother’s values of independence and self-reliance.
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Kristin Brown of Detroit was presented with the November 2003, Achiever of the Month award. This mother of one applied for assistance from the Family Independence Agency (FIA) in July 2001. At that time, she was pregnant, had just lost her job due to her pregnancy, was ineligible for unemployment compensation and need help providing for herself and her unborn child.
