I became a single mother of two little boys (ages 5 and 7 now) in July 2002 after leaving their emotionally abusive, drug addicted father. I worked temporary positions so I could have the flexible schedule needed to raise them (dr's appointments, school appointments, illnesses, and etc.). I decided it was time to get a permanent position after getting laid off from a good paying job I had for oer a year. For 8 months I was turned down for jobs because I was overf qualified or under qualified. I finally got a job with the State Government. But as soon as I got the job, I was served with eviction papers, my foodstamps were turned off, my daycare assistance was taken away, and my children no longer can receive free or reduced lunch. I only bring home $1600 monthly after taxes. But my bills alone are $1400 a month. I barely have enough to buy groceries, catch the bus to get back and forth to work, buy the house necessities like toilet paper, soap, laundry/dish detergent and cleaning products. Now my refrigerator is no longer sealing properly, so it spoils the food I leave in it. The walls in my rental house have mold behind them. It is MOST evident in the shower walls. They are now folding outward and breaking apart. My landlord refuses to fix it. She would schedule it and then call the maintenance guy the morning of the appointment and cancel. The house also doesn't have any type of foundation nor is it insulated.
I need to find a grant (one that I don't have to pay back) that can help me set my finances right. I need to pay my bills at least one month ahead and also get the money I need to buy another refrigerator. I know I can't get out of my lease until April 2009. But if I could just set my finances good right now, I would be able to finally afford something decent for my children.
