The November 2001 Achiever
of the Month Award was presented to Jacqueline Jones of Hamtramck. Ms. Jones is
the single mother of two children. She turned to the Family Independence Agency
(FIA) for assistance in 1999. She had recently left her job as an Assistant Manager
at Sally’s Beauty Supply to care for her daughter, who had a serious medical
condition and was recuperating from surgery. In addition, her son, a Supplemental
Security Income recipient also had a serious medical condition that sometimes
required her to be in the home.
Through the Hamtramck District,
Wayne County FIA she received Family Independence Program benefits, Medicaid
and food stamps, now known as the Food Assistance Program, to provide for her
family. While she was grateful for the support, Jacqueline was determined not
to make public assistance a legacy for her children.
Despite receiving a deferral
from the FIA’s employment and training requirements because of her children’s
medical conditions, Jacqueline still focused on finding employment and becoming
self-sufficient. To support her efforts, the FIA assisted her with job counseling,
resume writing and mock interviews.
In July 1999, Jacqueline
enrolled in classes at Wayne County Community College (WCCC) to receive more
formalized training and increase her employability skills. While attending WCCC,
she worked two part-time jobs—one as an English tutor and another as a
cashier in a bookstore. In August 2001, she interviewed with Midwest Careers
and was hired as an intake specialist. She continues to work there today.
Jacqueline’s cash assistance
case closed due to earnings in December 1999. While she no longer receives cash
assistance from FIA, she recently applied for day care assistance. In the future,
Jacqueline plans to be an elementary teacher. Currently, she is pursing an associate’s
of arts degree in elementary education at WCCC and will graduate in December
2003.
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The November 2001 Achiever
of the Month Award was presented to Jacqueline Jones of Hamtramck. Ms. Jones is
the single mother of two children. She turned to the Family Independence Agency
(FIA) for assistance in 1999. She had recently left her job as an Assistant Manager
at Sally’s Beauty Supply to care for her daughter, who had a serious medical
condition and was recuperating from surgery. In addition, her son, a Supplemental
Security Income recipient also had a serious medical condition that sometimes
required her to be in the home.
