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A single mother
A single mother was referred to Project EZRAH® approximately a year and a half ago. The woman who walked into our offices for that first meeting was an emotionally fragile, lost soul who felt abandoned by the world. Her story, unfortunately, is not unique but helping her gave us the opportunity of saving four lives.
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This is a divorced mother of three with only a high school education. Due to her educational background and some learning issues, her earning capacity is severely limited. The children also have specific learning issues and, in order to get an appropriate education, must attend the Sinai School for Special Needs.
In meeting with this woman that first time, we realized there was much more to this story than a straightforward financial setback. Here was a young woman, divorced, emotionally damaged and alone in the world. The mother and her children had, and still have, diverse needs and we tried to address as many of these as possible. |
As we are all well aware, Yeshiva tuition, though vital for our continued existence, is costly. Special needs schools are even more cost prohibitive. We contacted Sinai School regarding the children’s tuitions. Though Sinai was and has been extremely sensitive to this situation, there is still a sizeable financial obligation. We have, due to our wonderful and caring supporters, been able to cover these expenses through this past school year.
Our team has worked in concert with this young, single mother toward the goals of both financial and emotional self-reliance. Dr. Jennifer Proper, our employment counselor, has worked endlessly on job readiness skills through individual counseling sessions, workshop suggestions, and resume writing. Before addressing the educational component in job readiness, though, Dr. Proper suggested that she utilize her massage training so that she bring in some money and begin to build up her self esteem. Project EZRAH® executed all necessary paper work, fees and license forms in order to expedite this.
Additionally, Dr. Proper has directed her toward opportunities in which she might increase her earning potential and arranged for her acceptance into the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, a state and federal program for a six month computer training program. (Acceptance into this program requires that Project EZRAH® meet with her counselor at DVR.) She is now completing the course work for a certificate as a Microsoft Office and Photoshop Specialist.
This lovely woman now feels that she has a “home” in the Project EZRAH® office. She knows that here are people who care for her, whom she can call with questions or for suggestions whether for life skills, educational or emotional matters.
“Project EZRAH® pushed me in a positive was to go to school and helped me develop a stronger self esteem,” this young single mother told me last week. “You have had a positive impact on my children and me beyond financial help; we have felt emotional support and encouragement.”
We have done so much, but for the foreseeable future, this is an on-going situation; the children’s tuition (schools dedicated to special education command a steep tuition) must still be met, rent, rent must be paid, basic needs and health issues must be covered. This past year and a half we have allotted for this family’s needs. The children’s father contributes only $450 per month in alimony and support, and her current earning capability precludes her ability to be financially independent.
Editor’s Note: We recently held a “graduation party” at our offices in celebration of this candidate’s completion of the DVR program. Dr. Propper asked her to look in the mirror and describe how she sees herself now. The answer touched each of us deeply: She responded that she looks like any responsible person on the street with a good job, who paid their bills on time, and owned a house and took care of their family. She felt sure that now she looked like that to others also.
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