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Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nationwide Drive to End Welfare

Pat Mitchell

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Published in American Dream: Three Women Ten Kids And A Nation S Drive To End Welfare

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American Dream: Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare

by Jason DeParle

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2204 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	432 pages

In the United States, welfare is a controversial topic. Some people believe that it is a necessary safety net for those who are unable to support themselves, while others believe that it is a disincentive to work and creates a culture of dependency.

Three women—Trisha, Michelle, and Lisa—know firsthand the challenges of living on welfare. They are all single mothers who have struggled to make ends meet. But they have also found a way to break free from the cycle of poverty and are now sharing their stories to help other women do the same.

Trisha grew up in a poor family in rural Alabama. Her parents divorced when she was young, and she was raised by her single mother. Trisha dropped out of high school at the age of 16 and soon became pregnant with her first child.

Michelle grew up in a working-class family in Detroit. Her father was a factory worker and her mother was a homemaker. Michelle graduated from high school but was unable to find a job. She soon became pregnant with her first child and later had two more children.

Lisa grew up in a middle-class family in California. Her father was a doctor and her mother was a teacher. Lisa attended college but dropped out after her sophomore year. She soon became pregnant with her first child and later had two more children.

All three women faced significant challenges as single mothers. They struggled to find affordable housing, childcare, and food. They were often discriminated against because they were on welfare. And they lived in constant fear of losing their benefits.

But despite these challenges, Trisha, Michelle, and Lisa refused to give up. They worked hard to improve their lives and the lives of their children. They got their GEDs, found jobs, and eventually moved out of poverty.

Now, Trisha, Michelle, and Lisa are sharing their stories with other women who are struggling on welfare. They are working to change the way people think about welfare and to help women break free from the cycle of poverty.

In 2017, Trisha, Michelle, and Lisa founded the National Welfare to Work Partnership. The Partnership is a non-profit organization that provides support and resources to single mothers who are working to improve their lives.

The Partnership offers a variety of programs and services, including:

Mentoring and coaching
Job training and placement
Childcare assistance
Financial assistance
Advocacy

The Partnership has helped thousands of women get off welfare and into good-paying jobs. The women who have been helped by the Partnership have gone on to become teachers, nurses, social workers, and business owners.

Trisha, Michelle, and Lisa are living proof that it is possible to break free from the cycle of poverty. They are also proof that welfare can be a stepping stone to success.

If you are a single mother who is struggling to make ends meet, please know that you are not alone. There are people who want to help you succeed. The National Welfare to Work Partnership is here to support you on your journey to self-sufficiency.