A 38-year-old custodian working for Kodak and living in an extended family with her spouse and two children in Rochester, NY

Job Training
When I was working at the Rochester Women’s Bean Project, I was taught how to weigh the beans, clean them and bag them. I was there two months. They helped me out. They gave me some experience. Then, I went to A/R Tempco, and they taught me how to be a cleaner so I could get a job at Kodak. I’m working at Kodak now.

Have you received job training recently? Yes

Employment
The hours working at Kodak are good for me. I work 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. I get home around 6:30 p.m. The pay is good at $6.00/hr. Now I can pay my own rent, and still have money left over for myself. I don’t have to borrow money from people. I’m not sitting home being bored and worrying about problems. Before my mother-in-law moved in with me, child care was a problem. I had a bad experience with daycare with my two older children. But, my mother-in-law and my boyfriend care for my 2 younger children, and this works out well. I love my job. 

Have you gotten a new job, increased work hours or earnings in the recent past? Yes

Child Care
I had a bad experience with childcare when I lived in Maryland. I couldn’t trust leaving my children with anyone other than family members. Since I moved to Rochester, my mother-in-law has helped me out. She moved into my house and helps watch my two younger children. I never tried a daycare center here. I’m kind of worried about daycare centers due to my bad experience.

Have you received child care assistance to help you get to work? No

Transportation
I leave my house at 7:30 a.m. and catch the 7:45 a.m. Main Street bus, which gets me downtown at 7:55 a.m. Then I catch the 8:10 a.m. #3 bus to Westmar Plaza. This bus takes me right into Kodak Elmgrove, Building #1. I arrive at 8:35 a.m. The travel isn’t bad. I love looking out [at] the sights. At 5:30 p.m. when I leave, I catch the 5:45 p.m. #20 bus to come home. I get downtown at 6:00 p.m, then I catch the #8 East Main at 6:10 p.m. and I’m home by 6:30 p.m. I’d rather travel by bus than drive a car. The bus is safer for me. I am able now to afford transportation by bus.

Do you have adequate transportation to get to and from work? Yes

Health
Right now I’m pretty healthy. About a month ago, I had migraine headaches. I couldn’t keep my eyes open or raise my head. I just wanted to sleep. I’ve been going back and forth to the doctors. The doctor gave me a shot, and now I’m okay. I haven’t had any headaches. If I feel like a headache might be coming on, I put my head down for ten minutes; then I’m okay. I told my supervisor about the headaches and how I might have to put my head down for a short time now and then. My supervisor is okay with this. My family’s health has been pretty good. My health has allowed me to work. I make it to work about everyday.

Do you and your family have a regular doctor who normally provides care? Yes

Health Care
I go to Family Health Associates at Corn Hill. My doctor is Dr. N., and I have been with her since 1985. She has been so sweet. If I get sick or have a question, she’ll make an appointment for me to come in right away. Also, when I broke my hand, she met me right at the hospital to make sure I received the right treatment. My children have had the same doctor for seven years. Their doctor is Dr. Lian. They enjoy him. If I have any questions regarding my children, he answers my questions. If I need a prescription filled for my children, he is available to call the prescription in right away. I do not have any out-of-pocket costs. My children and I have Blue Choice Option and Medicaid. It was difficult for me and my two older children to get health insurance when we first moved here from Maryland. We had to pay a lot. It took almost three months to get Medicaid.

Do you now have health insurance of any kind (including Medicaid)? Yes

Additional information
This job program has helped me out a lot. I think that they should continue it and get more people involved.

Last question: I expect things for myself and my family to get much better.

Demographics:
Author’s community or neighborhood of residence: Maple Street (Rochester), New York
Age: 38
Gender: Female
Last year of school completed: 11 grade
Race: Caucasian
Number of own children at home: 2
Household size: 2 Children; 3 Adults
Does Author’s partner or spouse live in the household? Yes
Author’s gross cash earnings for previous calendar month: $748.00
Does Author currently receive any cash public assistance or welfare? Yes
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