# data[].attributes.body
The town of Percy reminds me of towns I've visited and seen in America. The help Tabitha received from Mr. Patten as an educator, a role model, and as someone looking out for her, is identical to how I've seen individuals help people, mainly children like Tabitha, and change their lives for the better. I've seen firsthand how much better people's lives can be from this help, as well as how much worse it can be if they don't receive the help they need.

# data[].attributes.body
Jennifer could not catch a break! It was one thing after another! Constantly having to move from place to place, no jobs acceptances, and her daughter having to be molested by a family member...no mother should have to catch that happening, BUT she was able to make the absolute most of her situation. I think she would change the amount of time she could stay in a shelter, being able to gain cash over SNAP, and having jobs with better working conditions.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose Jennifer Hernandez and her two children Caitilin and Cole. Jennifer worked extremely hard going against the stigma that people who are in poverty who may need assistance are "lazy". I thought it was illuminating how much her low wage jobs exploited her such as when she was required to take on the job of two people at the spa after her aunt's sister was injured and then she received an ultimatum from her job essentially saying either you stay and do the extra work or you quit. I also thought that her life was exeptionally hard because she had two children she also had to care for. I felt especially bad for her daughter Caitlin who was (TW) sexually assaulted by her uncle while Jennifer was staying with them. This is a traumatic event that will effect Caitlin the rest of her life sadly. I think if those living in 2-a day poverty were given higher wages with benefits such as health insurance, government aid that includes a cash income, as well as safe and healthy work conditions. Additionally work hours should be flexible and also consistent.

# data[].attributes.body
- her work ethic
-she is a single mother
-She did not give up to get a job for her family no matter how hard it was
-She had no help from anyone but she never gave up
-I think if she were to help people in poverty the first thing she would do would be to raise minimum wage to an amount where people can actually liv off it

# data[].attributes.body
I chose to write about this family because in many ways Jennifer's struggles reflect concerns I have regarding holding a job in my chosen field and attaining economic security for myself and my future family. Having been laid off from a couple jobs due to them lacking available hours, I understand the struggle of suddenly being out of work, and it is an experience that has had a significant impact on my outlook on employment and job security.

# data[].attributes.body
Struggled with almost every difficulty imaginable. Lived on her own as an 11 year old for a year. Worked hard for what little she had but ended up losing her job due to America's cutthroat work environment and circumstances out of control. She was never able to create a permanent living situation that wasn't in constant chaos and had moved over 24 times in 24 years.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose Rae due to our similar work ethic. She enjoyed working because it was a distraction from her life of poverty. We also had some similarities when it came to health issues. We both have asthma and require inhalers. While my insurance and parents pay for mine, I'm not sure what she is able to do to afford hers. Another part of Rae's story that had an impact on me was her dental health. My mother is an orthodontist and always made sure we were healthy. It made me reflect on the privilege I have and how lucky I am. I believe if Rae created a government program it would resemble the TANF program, except with less stigma, fewer requirements, and direct money.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose the Hernandez family because I can relate and understand her struggles because my mom is also a single mother who lost her job when I was younger. Like Jennifer my own mom worked in an unsafe environment where they did not give her a break for her 12 hour long shifts. Despite Jennifer's health issues, she wanted to do everything she could for her children, but providing for them was difficult considering she lost her job. She did not receive help from anyone, but she never gave up.

# data[].attributes.body
Jennifer kept going through one things after the other and was continuously taken advantage of. Not to mention the José incident (absolutely sickening).

# data[].attributes.body
The sale of social security numbers is a reflection of the failure of the federal government in response to poverty in the nation. Regardless of how perfect local or state systems of welfare are, the federal government has systems which set up lower-income households to fail. Further, the sexual misconduct against Tabitha further exemplifies social disadvantages and the veil of poverty.

# data[].attributes.body
Paul had ups and downs. Up until the mid 90s he was struggling to find a job and make money until he bought several pizza shops. He enjoyed middle class life up until 2008 when the recession happened. Since then he has again been struggling.

# data[].attributes.body
Jennifer's so hardworking and resilient. Yet still made a really big effect to do the best for her children. She was treated poorly, despite how well she worked. She also breaks the stigma that people who are in poverty are lazy. It really broke my heart to see how much effort she was making to create the best life she possibly could with the little resources she had available.

# data[].attributes.body
Modonna, a single mother of a teenage daughter lost everything she had. From her long-term job at a music store, the ability to find housing, and support from her ex-husband. Advised to apply for welfare, she stood in line for hours until she was ultimately denied even getting a number to wait for assistance. Relying on family members for a place to stay did not last and ended with her daughter being abused. Brianna was sent to a psych ward after a suicide attempt. The two stay in a homeless shelter waiting to see when they can catch a break. I think that Modonna would want a program that focused on single mothers with older children. This program would provide resume building, interview strategies, and even self-esteem workshops. I think that by also providing children with support for scholarships for college, or mental health resources is something a program like this would need.

# data[].attributes.body
Chose Modonna, her life scenario when it came to welfare resonated with me. As a child I related with her with my parents waiting in long lines for no reason. Didn't realize it was for welfare and how we needed to receive a Vietnamese translator. Just the relation of how much of a struggle it was to get it approved and go through that whole process.

# data[].attributes.body
I ended choosing Modonna Harris and her daughter Brianna because of tragic story. To me, just from reading the brief description of her plus details from her background I couldn't help but feel bad for her. Her dreams were cut short and she couldn't catch a break. A lot of the issues she dealt with were one after another with a cascade like effect. It's already difficult being a single mother, but having to deal all the other suffering she had to deal with couldn't be easy. Yet from what I could gather she still seemed determined and positive. She is a resilient woman to say the least.

# data[].attributes.body
The obstacles that kept on happening were just too much even for me as a reader. Especially with how she lost her job at Stars and the difficulties at DHS. I chose this family because her story was interesting to me throughout and also show how difficult it is to receive the government's aid.

# data[].attributes.body
Jennifer's story revealed to me that

# data[].attributes.body
Jennifer did everything she could in order to move on, not just for her but for her kids to achieve a better position in life. She had perseverance that was really great to see.

# data[].attributes.body
The hernandez family had a very difficult time getting

# data[].attributes.body
Modonna held on the same job for eight years. She was fired on spot when her cash drawer was $10 short. This inconveniently made her lost her apartment. Harris and her daughter had to move from shelter to another since the max is 3 months in Chicago. The lack of money made everything more difficult.

# data[].attributes.body
Susan Brown a mother who was from the South side of Chicago which is known to have high rates of poverty had a child during her senior year in High School which would lead to her not finishing out the year and not graduating which was the start if the hard life that she would face. She tried to apply for a ton of jobs off her hand me down iPhone because she don't have nay other forms of internet. That would lead her a couple of interviews that wouldn't lead on to anything further. She would eventually find an interview which was 20 blocks away from her house where she had to walk to in the summer where she was drenched in sweat where she would go through with the interview but would never hear back.

# data[].attributes.body
I've seen people in my own life go through some of the things that Jennifer dealt with, and I know how hard it is. I thought it was amazing that she managed to keep it together for the most part despite all of the difficulties she faced. I've been in a situation where living with family was the only way out for a while and could see some of my own family's struggles in what Jennifer went through. Furthermore, I felt as though Jennifer's situation highlighted just how close we could be to getting people out of situations like hers through programs that provide financial support.

# data[].attributes.body
Jennifer Hernandez’s story was vering impactful to me. She is a single mother in Chicago with two young children, Caitlin and Cole. The book shows how truly hardworking she was and how she never gave up. This reminds me of my mother. She was a single mother who also got sick after working to put her daughters through school. Jennifer found that combining her paycheck, SNAP benefits, and rent subsidies made survival possible. She soon became very sick from the working conditions she was it. She could no longer work because of her asthma. She no longer had that financial support and relied on family and friends.

# data[].attributes.body
The hernandez family had a difficult time, it seemed like she could never catch a break and no matter how how hard she worked to turn her life around it seemed like she couldn't turn a corner. From being underpaid for all her hours at the spa place to moving in with her family to save money only to walk in on her daughter being molested by her uncle she never gave up. She continued to keep the faith. We really don't know the situation that people are in or the breaks life have given them.

# data[].attributes.body
Jennifer's story stood out to me due to her hard work and her struggles. Things seemed to be looking up for her but it didn't last long.  She was wearing multiple coats while working, her asthma made it very difficult for her to breathe making her sick again.

# data[].attributes.body
Modonna is a single mother in Chicago with a young daughter named Brianna. She is resourceful, hardworking, and fiercely independent. When she lost her job, she also lost government assistance, such SNAP. She struggled to find assistance and a place to stay. I chose Modonna because she reminded me of my mother when she was on her own trying to find assistance to support her four daughters and herself. I remember we would move from house to house because everywhere we went the rent was extremely high, or there was too much violence in the community and it was not safe for us there. I also remember that the government took SNAP away from us because my two older sisters had just become of age (18) to “work”, and they thought my mother did not need it, which was false. We had to stay with my aunt and cousin, and we shared two rooms for the five of us. It was not easy growing up during these circumstances. There is much more of my story that I would like to tell but it would just open up old wounds. To end, my sisters, my mother and I have overcome these hardships and we are moving forward with our lives, and achieving our goals.

# data[].attributes.body
Jennifer was a single mother that was trying her best in every situation despite having health issues and being a single mother. She was treated wrongly from her workplace, and was unable to provide her child with a good living environment too. Not only does that affects her, her daughter was also greatly traumatized and affected with the situation.