MOTHER FOR JUSTICE NEWS

REAL NEWS FROM REAL EXPERTS

MOTHERS FOR JUSTICE RE-ENERGIZED FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM Mothers for Justice has been and always will be a strong advocate for real welfare reform. If you listen to the news and read the papers, you will hear that welfare reform has been transformed, and that people are so much more happier now that they have a job. However, when you open your door and watch your neighbor, who is working two part- time jobs, just to make ends meet (AND they still don't meet), then you take a long look at the children across the street who have suddenly became latch key kids because mom's 9-4 job doesn't allow her to come home at 2:30 to be with them, and you think, "What are these people talking about? Sure DSS numbers are dropping, but at whose expense? FROM THE DESK OF THE V.P. submitted by Tirzah Kemp As we enter the year of 1999 it is now time to think of our New Years Resolution.

My resolution for MFJ is to aggressively advertise our name and promote awareness as to the concerns of our community. WHY JOIN MOTHERS FOR JUSTICE? Mothers for Justice is a group of mothers who are working to empower themselves. In today's society, there are too many issues that effect our everyday lives in one way or another, such as welfare reform, housing, childcare, educational opportunities, jobs, health care, and more. As MFJ, we take a stand, and use our voices to take action, and make change for our community and for our ourselves! Patrice, a member of MFJ says," Before joining MFJ, I felt very alone and there wasn't very much positivity in my life. After joining MFJ, I have met people who are either in a similar situation as me, or who have surpassed my situation. These women are positive mothers and positive thinkers, and now I don't feel so alone." The future of Mothers For Justice looks bright. MFJ plans on expanding our

membership in order to achieve our goal of empowering women, and providing these women with the essential tools to one' day have economic security, and pursue their own life goals. BEYOND WOMEN'S RIGHTS, Beyond the ballot... more than a vote in a system driven by control. Our mothers saw people in harmony. It stirred a remembrance of a time before the laws of church and nation. Sovereign women in sovereign nations living beyond fear, beloved not owners, but keepers of the land not property, but sacred where everything is a part, 7 centers of creation. In a world connected, each valued and responsible to the whole. Wiser women of older nations still remind us today that dominance, control, ownership, and man-made, can be unmade. Balance comes from honoring life and living in thanksgiving. Wise women, who are living this vision, WE THANK YOU!


MOTHERS FOR JUSTICE HOTLINE

For updates on what going on with Mothers for Justice call us at 203 777-7 948 ext 111

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DEAR LOLA

Dear Lola, I am on the DSS 21-month program. I recently graduated from college, and am currently working two parttime jobs in order to make ends meet. My 21 months are almost up, yet I am no longer getting enough assistance to pay all of my expenses. I no longer qualify for food stamps, and DSS is now taking money out of my, check because I am working. My question is... Why do some people get more money for daycare, transportation, and food stamps than others? Is it decided on a case by case basis? Do the 21- month clients get worse treatment than the regular DSS clients? I'd like to get some clarification on this issue. Stressed in New Haven Dear Stressed, Good news and bad news. The good news first. You have the opportunity to go to your worker and say that he/she

was wrong. Depending on how you look at it this, itcould could be beneficial for you. During the 21- month program you should be able to keep all of your earnings up to your benefit level, plus $90. Also you should be able to keep your medical and childcare for up to 2 years, after you cut off from assistance. Call us if you have any other questions. Next, call your worker and tell him/her that you want to talk. The bad news is, honey, the state government has decided that you are a guinea pig. You are part of an experiment. Some families who receive assistance are part of the control group. Everyone that receives assistance is not on the 21 -month program, they still receive the old AFDC. It is all random, it has nothing to do with where you are in life what kind of experience you have had in the past. A computer says which group you are in. Wouldn't it be nice if your case worker dealt with you as an individual?


UPCOMING EVENTS

January
10:00am Mothers for Justice meeting


February

10 6:00pm Mothers for Justice meeting

19 Mothers for Justice Annual Meeting/ Sweetheart Award Dinner

24 10:00 am Mothers for Justice meeting

March
tba Workshop Series
10 6:00pm Mothers for Justice meeting
24 10:00 am Mothers for Justice meeting

HELPFUL HINTS

in this issue, Consignment Shops:

Amber Lynne's Consignment Shop 354 New Haven Ave., Milford (203) 882- 9199

Consignment Treasures 2348 Whitney Ave., Hamden (203) 248-2687

Lulla- Buys 9 Broad St.,Milford (203) 876-9778

ABCII 577 Campbell Ave. West Haven (203) 934-8770

Good As New 2985 Whitney Ave, Hamden (203) 281-0772

I. G. R. 0. - WANNA TALK ABOUT POWER?

Grassroots groups from across the state have seceded from and have told a larger agency (who for now will remain nameless) thanks but no thanks. Independent Grass Root Organization (IGRO) formally the Organizing Project is now off on our own. we are working together to become our own organization. It has been a real challenge but we are determined to do it by ourselves. If you are a low- or no-income individual, feel free to contact us about how to get involved. We meet twice a month across the state.

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY ?

WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE THE TIME OR THE MONEY?

What is a child gaining from child support? What exactly is in the best interest for the child? 'The debate has been going on now for decades, the positives and the negatives of child support. In a single parent household, the odds of that parent not coming on hard times are slim. The fifty to one hundred dollars a month would probably pay a bill or two or buy your child a pair of shoes, but how does the child really benefit? As the old saying goes money can't buy love. So are we being too easy on absent fathers? Patrice says, There should be tougher penalties on absent fathers. If a mother neglects or abandons her child, that child would be taken away from her or the mother would go to jail. It seems to me that if a father abandons his child, the child support laws allow it. As long as child support is paid, the law makes it alright. Is it alright? The terminology "child support" is used very loosely in this society. To support a child is to spiritually, emotionally and physically mold this child into an able functioning product of this environment. So the question is, why are there so many children being abandoned to the point where it is almost normal ? Tom, a 17 year old high school student says, "My father has paid child support since I was 5 years old, when my parents divorced. But as for my father being a supportive element in my life, he wasn't there. Now, the respect that I have for my mother is far greater than the respect I have for my father. It's time to open our eyes and make change for our children and any child who has been abandoned. The laws are not strict enough, and now maybe they should be.

Do You HAVE A

CONCERN' OR ISSUES

THAT YOU WANT TO

TALK TO YOUR

STATE LEGISLATORS

ABOUT? CALL THEM !

House democrats

1-800-842-8267

House republicans

1-800-842-8270

Senate democrats

1-800-842-1420

Senate republicans

1-800-842-1421

Governor's office

1-800-406-1527

Other good numbers to have

Statewide Legal Service

1800-453-3320

CT. Coalition Against

Domestic Violence

1-888-774-2900

Our Opinion

In 1999, welfare recipients are trying to rind a way out of the system, and into the work force. But in order to do that, they have to go to the Regional Workforce Development Board to find out about things 50% of them already know. Not only about having to find childcare, which RWDB doesn't pay-for, but taking time away from the days that they could be out looking for livable wage jobs.

What the point? I've interviewed many people who have been through the program. It is supposed to help find jobs, however, most come to find out they have to go through 3 days of programs, such as watching a movie on welfare reform (and they don't even show the whole thing), answering questions on their life and,taking a test on elementary math which most of us already know. So what you don' show up?

Good question .... If you don't show up for your scheduled appointment, then your benefits are sanctioned, unless you have a valid reason. How do they expect us to find jobs when most of us don't have the time, the money, or the childcare available to attend these programs ? The RWDB needs to find a simpler way for this to happen without people getting sanctioned or cut off of the system.

Mothers for Justice

c/o Christian Community Action

168 Davenport Ave.

New Haven, CT 06519