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