Session 9 UPDATE

Our government and our people have a responsibility to acknowledge the indicators of the success, or lack thereof, of the welfare to work reform projects.  Jason DeParle’s in depth look into several Milwaukee families’ path from Welfare to the work force provides a rational view into the Federal Works Program.  Angie’s entrance into the full time works force can be seen as successful on the surface.  Her children, Redd and Keisha seem to be heading down the same road that got Angie to welfare in the first place. 

Angie’s new job, that she loves, pays her only an amount to keep her coming back.  She is oftentimes unable to maintain her familiy’s most basic necessities including food, electricity, gas and other needs.  The reality, oddly enough, is that for Angie and her family, there is no significant improvement in their structure.  If our society insists on being myopic and downright ignorant, we might collectively say that Angie is doing exactly what we expect her to do.  However, those of us who chose to be fair minded, will probably acknowledge that the long term goal of WELFARE TO Work was to improve the life of people so they can see the benefit of not being assisted by the government.

One could argue that Angie has formed associations at work, enjoyed the pride of a job well done, contributed to a tax base that we all benefit from, realized self worth and her ability to accomplish the seemingly impossible, and experienced the reward of sacrifice.  I would simply rebut that Angie’s family financial budget before her working experience has not seemed to improve at all.  In fact, it has worsened.   Additional detriment to Angie through this program is removal of the matriarch of the family.  Angie’s children are left to do the things Angie cannot.   Angie is most suited to teach her children the moral and ethical teachings they desperately need to avoid repeating her mistakes, however, she is forced to be away from the family.

A similar operation with Atlanta’s Housing Authority called CATALYST requires all adults in the household to work full time if they are to continue receiving housing voucher benefits.  Despite its intentions, the program often does not provide adequate job training, transportation, any affordable childcare, or proper assistance in budget management.  Program participants are left to fail as the authors of these ill-considered programs take credit for eliminating dependence on poverty.  In actuality, they have merely conducted a failed experiment.  Just as much energy could go into forcing all businesses to pay a living wage to its employees.