This mother of three first turned to the Family Independence Agency (FIA) for assistance as a pregnant teenager in February 1987. She had no transportation, limited education and no child care. For several years she and her children were Aid for Dependent Children recipients and later, when the program changed, her children began receiving Family Independence Program (FIP) benefits.

In 1997, Raquel was referred to Work First. At that time, she was apprehensive, extremely negative and did not want to be involved in the program. The FIA Redford District’s Work First contractor, Resource Network, Inc. provided Raquel with job search assistance, resume writing training, one-on-one interviewing practice and bus fare. With their help she quickly found employment as a nurses aid.

Her attitude about Work First became more positive when she began providing for herself and her children with her earnings. In December 1997, her cash assistance case closed and in 1999, she was able to purchase the home she was renting.

Last summer Raquel lost her job, ran out of unemployment and almost lost her home. Because of her serious financial situation she reapplied for assistance. Despite this temporary set back, she was determined to make it on her own and committed to being on assistance for only a short time.

On September 1, 2001, Raquel’s FIP case was opened and she was referred to Work First. This time she had a very different attitude. She was optimistic and enthusiastic about going through the program. In addition to resume writing and providing job search assistance, Resource Network, Inc. also provided Nurse’s Assistant training classes, interview clothing and funds to purchase uniforms.

In October 2001, Raquel was hired by Charter House of Farmington Hills as a Nurses Assistant caring for elderly patients. She has also been certified as a Direct Care Specialist. Her FIP case closed due to earnings in November 2001. FIA still provides assistance with Medicaid, food assistance and child day care.