https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:32:57 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/4#post-1105198 Mon, 23 Sep 2013 10:56:38 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1105198@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not to ressurect this thread, but here is a nice piece on welfare myths:</p> <p><a href="http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/07/20/what-the-right-doesnt-want-you-to-know-about-welfare-9-myths-exploded/" rel="nofollow">http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/07/20/what-the-right-doesnt-want-you-to-know-about-welfare-9-myths-exploded/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/4#post-1100057 Fri, 20 Sep 2013 00:58:24 +0000 erinpye 1100057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: Yes! It's just too expensive to drug test people on assistance. And, honestly, it's unkind and rooted in extreme prejudice.</p> <p>As far as community service, I think if the person has time, that's one thing, but most people struggling to make it are already working their tails off, and often in more than one job, so that just may not be a realistic possibility. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/4#post-1099739 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 20:40:39 +0000 immabeetoo 1099739@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started reading this in the morning but I was too cranky to respond like an adult. Others have summarized all the information I think is relevant to the discussion -- suffice to say I think it is a terrible idea. It has been proven to cost more than it saves, it's rooted in prejudice, and its ramifications only further entrenches the cycle of poverty.</p> <p>The underlying notion that everyone accessing welfare is not working and / or cheating the system is troubling. I'd be willing to bet everyone here knows at least one family who has received services without sharing that they have. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/4#post-1099643 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 20:17:07 +0000 artsyfartsy 1099643@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sapphiresun: That's a good point. They are just extra hands where I work...they can't replace our employees. We can't count on them to be there 5 days a week and any shift since they pick their own hours. But I could see how most places, like the example you provided could just replace paid employees with community service workers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/4#post-1099632 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 20:13:06 +0000 artsyfartsy 1099632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: That's true but they get to pick their own hours and work whenever they please. They can work during school hours and be home on evenings and weekends.</p> <p>Summer would be a problem though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/4#post-1099104 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 18:02:28 +0000 Sapphiresun 1099104@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I only read about 2/3 of the thread but curious what these "community service" would be. If this entire "unpaid" work force comes out en masse I think there's potential for them to be taking up positions that would otherwise be paid positions which seems counter productive.</p> <p>For instance in my city the people who weed out the gardens on parks are being paid a living wage by the city. To turn something like that into a community service position would likely have a trickle down effect of losing positions like that and ending up with even more people on welfare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/4#post-1098980 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 17:23:52 +0000 sunny 1098980@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: agreed! I was never left home alone until I was probably 10. Even then, parents have responsibilities at home such as helping with homework. I read that one of the reasons for the achievement gap between the poor and rich is that rich parents have more time to help out with homework, whereas poorer families are working and don't have time and certainly can't afford to hire tutors. I wouldn't want to continue and widen this kind of achievement gap with mandated community service--it seems so counterproductive.</p> <p>As with all social issues, there are plenty of Un-intended consequences. It's not easy to just say wholesale "we should do X" and expect that only 1 thing changes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/4#post-1098138 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:56:04 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1098138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: @sunny: but a six or seven or eight year old should not be left alone. If the mom works while the child attends school childcare would be needed after school or on the weekends to perform community service. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/3#post-1098091 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:47:33 +0000 deerylou 1098091@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Silva: Like you, if and when I garner a larger income, I would gladly live a relatively humble life to ensure that my fellow neighbors aren't left uninsured, hungry, and without basic necessities. </p> <p>We need better education; regular, informational workshops and compassionate counseling that focus on proper nutrition, meal planning, budgeting, sexual health, and family planning. Addiction and mental health services need to be readily available and encouraged to all. </p> <p>@blackbird: Right! We're a middle class family with one child, and we work hard to make ends meet. We will not have another child until one of us has advanced in our careers. </p> <p>I mean, I would definitely enjoy more vacation time, a bigger wardrobe, and the latest in electronics. But, I feel that nutritious food, quality health insurance, and debt reduction is far more important. It frustrates me when people look a gift horse in the mouth, and don't aim to live frugally, responsibly, and humbly. Don't get me wrong, I know the *majority* of those on assistance are working exceptionally hard, or are simply in need of proper direction and education after a traumatic upbringing. But for those that don't fall under either of these categories, it's definitely a little exasperating. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/3#post-1098084 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:46:10 +0000 artsyfartsy 1098084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Plus those working with us are mostly doing maintenance work. Using tools, doing plumbing or electrical work and learning skills they can use to get a better job. Some even help us with paper work and office work. It makes me feel good that they aren't just doing some mindless job when they come to us like picking up trash. They do real work and get real experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/3#post-1098067 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:42:39 +0000 artsyfartsy 1098067@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: Definitely. The two ladies that ended up becoming full time employees with us are two of the hardest workers we have. It was good to see them offered a job and rewarded for their hard work. One of them mentioned they were able to finally get an apartment on their own and move out of her moms house because they now had a steady income. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/3#post-1098064 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:41:14 +0000 Costello 1098064@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Evansjamie: Not at all. I think you are expressing yourself very well. :0) </p> <p>I agree with Mr. Bee. I love people but my job has made me very cynical and wary. I am sure it is why there is such a high burn out rate in the industry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/3#post-1098047 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:35:08 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1098047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Honeybee: and that's just one of the many reasons I love you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/3#post-1098042 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:34:13 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1098042@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: and to think that even though you are seeing the toughest cases, your organization is still managing to help a few. That must be heartening? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/3#post-1098040 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:34:00 +0000 runsyellowlites 1098040@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunny: Very true! I know childcare cost has played a huge part in us choosing for me to stay home. My best friend is a single parent &amp; while she's been able to get assistance to offset childcare cost she had to work for her job atleast 2 weeks, full time, to get it.... Those 2 weeks of trying to figure out childcare &amp; pay for it while she just started her job, having not gotten a paycheck were incredibly difficult! She had to rely heavily on family &amp; friends, things that some individuals don't have access to. :/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/3#post-1098038 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:33:32 +0000 avivoca 1098038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: I was on unemployment for one week when I worked for the paper (due to the forced furloughs that the company implemented) and the amount of time and paperwork for that one week was astronomical! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/3#post-1098035 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:33:09 +0000 artsyfartsy 1098035@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Honeybee: Definitely agree. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/3#post-1098031 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:32:21 +0000 artsyfartsy 1098031@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunny: Women who have children under the age of 5 (school age) are excluded from doing community service. At least that's what a few of the community service workers have told me.</p> <p>I'm sure single fathers would be excluded too, but its typically moms. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/3#post-1098028 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:31:53 +0000 Honeybee 1098028@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: As always, you said everything I was thinking. :)</p> <p>And call me a radical, but I don't believe just because someone is the working poor (and unable to complete a service requirement) or battling an addiction (and unable to pass a drug test) it qualifies that person to become homeless, live without basic necessities, or starve. I think every person at least has a right to life, regardless of their personal situations, personalities, or challenges. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/3#post-1098021 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:30:41 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1098021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Silva: the structural barriers were immense! Mr. Jacks got called in for an unemployment audit and the amount of paperwork and time it took was astounding! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/3#post-1098016 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:29:50 +0000 sunny 1098016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can't imagine someone who is receiving assistance being able to afford child care in order to go work community assistance. It just doesn't seem like it would work financially. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/3#post-1098003 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:27:08 +0000 Silva 1098003@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: navigating those systems is so complicated, too. Our babe was on state health insurance briefly, and the application was really intense. And I have a masters degree! I have seen many clients simply lose benefits because they don't understand forms, have trouble remembering appointments, their cell phone number changes again, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/3#post-1097993 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:25:07 +0000 mrbee 1097993@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: I think it's totally fair to draw on your own experiences!!</p> <p>I've heard that police officers often become cynical about people, after dealing with so many suspects and lawbreakers... that always made sense to me. It's hard to have a balanced perspective when you're seeing mostly one side of society! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/3#post-1097984 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:23:35 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1097984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pui: Mr. Jacks had to prove every week that he had applied to a minimum number of jobs. Even treating the job search as a full time job, he was looking for a full three months. If he had to do community service for even twenty hours a week it likely would have doubled his job search time and his benefits would have run out (at 6 months) prior to finding a job. Is that what we really want for our unemployed? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/3#post-1097979 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:22:43 +0000 blackbird 1097979@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@deerylou,- It also frustrates me to know that there are people who choose to have more children than they can afford, but know they can rely on government assistance to feed them...especially if those people already have debt. Aside from lack of education, anyways. I'm sure many people just do not know </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/3#post-1097975 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:22:12 +0000 artsyfartsy 1097975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never meant to judge a group by a few individuals. I know there are lots of truly struggling people out there who need assistance. I've seen them. And I'm proud that my tax dollars go towards helping them get back on their feet, because you never know when it may be me that needs help. </p> <p>BUT as working as a cashier at a grocery store previously and at a facility where a lot of people on assistance come to do their community service hours, I unfortunately mostly just see the negative side...the people taking advantage. Given that people who have jobs, in school, or young children are excluded, the ones that are trying to better themselves probably aren't coming my way. Which is a good thing. </p> <p>To those left, I think 100 hours a month isn't too much to ask. That still leaves plenty of time to job search and do other things. Drug testing is a whole different story however that I'm not sure I agree with. </p> <p>Sorry if I offended anybody. I never intended to stereotype all people on assistance. I don't intend to stereotype anyone at all. I'm just going by my personal experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/3#post-1097969 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:21:01 +0000 Silva 1097969@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I for one am glad that taxes I pay go to help others. When we have a larger income, I will be glad to pay more. I believe that we have an obligation to help those around us, and I'd rather drive an old car than see my neighbor go hungry. I should probably move to a more socialist country :wink: this is why I went into social work I guess. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/3#post-1097955 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:18:42 +0000 Silva 1097955@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@deerylou: there is absolutely a lack of knowledge regarding nutrition. I worked with a woman who believe that bug juice was good for her baby because it said "made from real fruit juice" on the label. She was horrified when I showed her how much sugar was in the juice. Or another client who didn't realize that by drinking 6 20oz colas a day she was surpassing the total amount of calories she should consume.<br /> This is an example of how growing up in poverty impacts each generation.<br /> And I agree it is frustrating when families don't practice responsible family planning. I think this is again, an area where we need more education and support. Many of the women I've workd with had traumatic childhoods, leaving them with deep attachment issues. They are seen as vulnerable by unhealthy men, who take advantage of them. Another example of ways that generational legacies continue to impact a person's ability to be upwardly mobile. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/3#post-1097926 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:13:53 +0000 Silva 1097926@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm against drug testing for recipients of state assistance for all the reasons people have listed, and because I believe it to be unconstitutional. There is no reason to suspect a person of using drugs simply because they need assistance.<br /> "At their core, all of these proposals exacerbate existing stigmas associated with receiving public assistance, and create unnecessary hurdles for families that are already struggling just to get by."<br /> <a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/criminal-law-reform-racial-justice/drug-testing-dragnet-widens-poor-continue-be-swept" rel="nofollow">https://www.aclu.org/blog/criminal-law-reform-racial-justice/drug-testing-dragnet-widens-poor-continue-be-swept</a></p> <p>I do not think our assistance programs work well. We need more funding for prevention programs, more funding for treatment programs, and to expand services available. That, and only that, will help address issues of poverty in this country. Drug testing does nothing. It makes people feel better about their own predjudices. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/community-service-for-public-assistance-recipients/page/3#post-1097919 Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:13:01 +0000 avivoca 1097919@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Silva: I agree. I wish more time and money could be spent helping people in poverty or with substance abuse problems instead of pushing them to the very edge of our collective vision because it's "unsavory." </p>