I am a single mom going to college and
raising a son. I came from a world of violence, a place where physical and mental abuse
were breakfast, lunch and dinner. Vowing to myself and begging God to help me escape the
abuse, I ran to the battered women's shelter. I had nothing, my self esteem was low and
depression had caved into my world.
I was reduced
to applying for welfare. But I found friends who are angels: LaJune Smith, of Peace
Lutheran Church, took me to the welfare office. My welfare worker closed my case because
we were four minutes late. Without any income my baby would not eat. You see, I didn't
have a voice, but I had LaJune.
She asked
that I be seen. She explained that she had to stop for gas because I lived farther away
than she thought. Then my caseworker let me into her office. After that I started to fight
back. I got a different caseworker. When Governor Johnson came to town, I talked with him
during a question period. I also testified on the welfare program at a public meeting in
Santa Fe. God sent me angels who helped give me the strength to find my voice, and I try
to pass that strength along to other women in my situation.
Corrie