Shelly G

Child(ren): three sons and a daughter

Issues: Food and Hunger, Work and Child Care, Welfare & Assistance

I don’t see how Welfare wants me to get out of the system if I don’t have enough. If this is a state that’s supposed to help me, you can’t keep on holding me back. Help me out here, so I can get on my feet. Now I need it. I need [Welfare] to guide me to never need it again."

Shelly is a twenty-eight year old mother of 4 children: three boys and one girl. After working for several months as a store departmental manager, Shelly was notified that her subsidized child care was no longer being provided. The constant battle of trying to find a daycare provider forced Shelly to resign from her position. She now supports her family with the biweekly federal cash assistance she receives. In order to pay all her household and familial expenses, Shelly braids hair for additional funds.

Shelly has had a tough life and still continues to struggle. Growing up in a single-parent household with two other siblings, Shelly has witnessed her mother’s rape, which ultimately left her HIV-positive, her mother’s drug abuse and addiction to crack cocaine, and the death of several friends. Shelly received her high school diploma, however, because of an unpaid school loan, she has not been able to continue her schooling. She hopes to eventually own and manage a successful hair salon. Shelly is currently fighting to receive SSI for her son, who has recently been diagnosed with ADHD and bipolar disorder.

View Slideshow

Shelly G

Photo Gallery