Chastity Merillat of Adrian was the proud recipient of the April 2002 Achiever of the Month Award. This single mother of two came to the Family Independence Agency (FIA) for assistance in 1996. At that time, she was pregnant and needed help providing for herself and her unborn child. Through the Lenawee County FIA she received Family Independence Program benefits, Medicaid, child day care and food assistance.
For several years Chastity worked in a variety of jobs to support her family. While she was pregnant, she worked in a sandwich shop and later became employed in several clerical or accounting positions and has worked as a leasing agent. To support her employment efforts, her Work First provider, South Central Michigan Works! Community Action Agency helped her purchase a car, get automotive repairs and provided funds for work clothing.
In 1996, Chastity enrolled in Jackson Community College to pursue an associate’s degree in business. She felt that if she could increase her skills she would be able to provide more for her family. Work First assisted her by supplying funds to help pay for tuition and books. Today, she is one credit away from completing her associate’s degree and plans to finish it soon.
In October 2001, Chastity entered Work First’s work and training program. Her job-training placement was with Goodwill Industries. During her training she worked at several locations performing clerical duties. Goodwill was so impressed with her work they hired her permanently as an administrative secretary in January 2002. She continues to work there today.
Chastity’s FIP case closed due to her earnings on March 26, 2002. She continues to receive food assistance benefits, child day care and transitional Medicaid.
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Chastity Merillat of Adrian was the proud recipient of the April 2002 Achiever of the Month Award. This single mother of two came to the Family Independence Agency (FIA) for assistance in 1996. At that time, she was pregnant and needed help providing for herself and her unborn child. Through the Lenawee County FIA she received Family Independence Program benefits, Medicaid, child day care and food assistance.
