By Suk Yee Ng

As an employee of the campus Welfare Rights Initiative, Maureen Lane spends her days working the phones. Her message: Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's mandatory Workfare program is unnecessary.

"Not one person on welfare wants to stay on welfare," says the spunky native of Tulsa, Okla., soon to be an honor's graduate with a major in philosophy.

Rather than help the individuals who come to apply for welfare, the city turns most of them away and those who do get through the doors, are put through a strenuous process, says Lane, herself a former welfare recipient. Most people who apply for assistance are in dire circumstances and by asking for help, it shows that you have motivation and want to advance out of your current situation but instead the welfare system takes ``motivated people and crushes them," Lane adds.

As a full-time coordinator of community organizing for the initiative, Lane spends her day working on legislative issues affecting welfare recipients in college. One change in the law is currently consuming most of Lane's energy. She is lobbying for students supported by public assistance to receive Workfare credit through participation in federal work study, internships or externships.

Seven years ago, Lane was homeless and in need of treatment for alcohol and substance abuse. She made the decision to admit herself to St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center. There she applied for and received Home Relief, a form of public assistance for childless adults.

Following her release from St. Luke's in-patient program, Lane entered Hunter College as a full-time student. Here, Lane became acquainted with the Welfare Rights Initiative, a nonprofit advocacy group. The initiative helped her obtain an internship that turned into a fellowship and eventually led to a part-time job.

After two years on welfare, Lane was able to earn more than the yearly $4,000 she received and began to support herself.

Lane's determination has allowed her to juggle an internship and stay in college. In addition to her drive, she has also benefited from the fact that Workfare, as currently mandated, was nonexistent during her years on public assistance.

Workfare ``is forcing thousands of recipients out of school,'' Lane says. "The jobs which recipients are assigned do not give them any positive work experience." If recipients are permitted to remain in school and obtain their degree, they will have a fighting chance to get themselves off welfare, Lane argues.

"A five year study showed that 87 percent of welfare recipients got off of welfare by obtaining a college degree,'' Lane adds.

In order to survive the current restrictive welfare policies, welfare recipients must be educated about their rights and taught to fight negative stereotypes, Lane says.

``They must also realize that they are not alone and that help is out there,'' Lane says