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| Mary Barnhill |
The February 2000 Achiever of the Month Award was presented to Mary Barnhill of Pentwater. Ms. Barnhill is the single mother of one child. She turned to the Family Independence Agency for help in March 1998, when she was unemployed and having a difficult time providing for her son. Although she needed help with food, transportation and health care, she was hesitant about seeking assistance. Despite feelings of embarrassment she applied because she felt it was in the best interest of her son. Through the FIA Mary received Family Independence Program funds, Food Stamps, child day care and Medicaid.
In March 1998, Mary was referred to the Work First program. With their help she quickly found employment and in July 1998 her cash assistance case closed due to earnings. Unfortunately, in October 1999, her employment ended and it became necessary for her to once again apply for temporary assistance. Instead of becoming discouraged, Mary's experiences made her even more determined, to find and keep employment. With the help of the Work First contractor, Oceana Employment and Training, Mary quickly found a job. Mary's cash assistance case closed in December 1999 due to earnings.
Today she works part-time for Mercy General Health Partners, at their Hart outstation as a lab assistant. She works twenty-five hours a week and hopes to go to full-time when the local business expands. Mary feels that she has been blessed with a lot of wonderful people in her life and says that she has learned a lot about humanity and humility. She is happy to no longer be getting cash assistance and is extremely proud to be self-supporting.
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