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Times Advocate, 1995-11-15, Page 6Page 6 Times -Advocate, November 15, 1995 1E14A41J , Y Feature • Single mom uses social assistance as temporary aid I.i' ing yin tirrics h� ltrcrnla Markt' "1 feel really insulted (by the) stereotype that people on welfare all booze it up and drink their money away and then cry and complain," says 43 -year-old Linda Cowell, a Phoenix of Hu- ron resident temporarily supporting l rself and 14 -year-old daughter, Crystalyn, on social as- sistance. "I think we're living a very basic way and yet we're finding it's tight...It's not easy street," she says in light of recent provincial.gbvern- ment cuts to welfare recipients. Cowell's social assistarree cheque, totalling $866 for Sep- tember, was cut by $134, leaving her with $732 for November, plus a winter clothing allowance of $105. She's also concerned about the announced funding cuts to Phoenix of Huron programs. As of Dec. 31, the Phoenix building she lives in will no longer be funded for pro- grams by the Ministry of Com- munity and Social Services, al- though the Ministry of Housing will continue to subsidize the building. For Cowell and about 20 other Phoenix residents, that means a 100 per cent cut in staff support. Cowell wonders who will take re- sponsibility for the building's se- curity. "I appreciate being somewhere finally where 1 feel safe...Will there be the safety here that we've had up until now?...I've got a couple of low- risk people I would not want here," says Cowell, who is also worried Phoenix staff, once laid off, will not be able to provide counselling and transportation services. She is afraid to lose "a source of sen- sitive, caring peo- ple," she turns to for emotional support. "Being here in the Phoenix House," she says, "gives me re- sources to find out 'Where do I go from here?" She moved into a Phoenix of Hu- ron building in September after marital issues left her supportiqg one of her three children on her own. She began to receive social assistance in April after being de- nied twice. Although she sees the near future holding many marital and financial decisions, she plans to live in the building for the year she is allowed to, then get off welfare as soon as possible and later finish her teaching education. "I don't have the resources for anything else," she says, adding she's been a stay-at-home mom for 17 years. "The push is to go out and get work...If I did that would be harder on my daughter...That would take me away from being able to be here as a full-time support...The fact that I'm a single parent now...I feel that it's important to be here for her." Putting the matrimonial home up for sale after the break-up of Cow- ell and her husband one and a half years ago was traumatic for the children, now aged 17, 15 and 14. Her oldest son moved away on his own shortly after the separation and her other daughter now lives in an- other city with her father. At one point between June of 1994 and last July, while Cowan was supporting both daughters by herself, she found she was suddenly without the financial support she needed to keep the family going. Because she didn't qualify for social assistance start-up al- lowance, she had to set up her Phoenix apartment, which is geared to income, with the money she had. She felt the addition of a freezer was necessary as was a smaller ta- ble and chairs due to the size of the apartment. Although some articles were brought from her old house, she can't sell any jointly -owned matrimonial items until a marital settlement is reached. While she was waiting to find out if she was eligible for social as- sistance, in January she turned to the food bank. "The food bank was in- adequate...for us," she said, recalling receiving a box of • food that was to last four or five days. "What does somebody do if they're in a really tight spot?" Because the food bank allows some- one to use its ser- vices once a month, and she still hadn't received help from welfare at that point, Cowell was left in a situation won- dering where the next meals were going to come from. "If something can change in people's attitudes... it would be helpful and peo- ple might be more compassionate... even willing to help others out." Living on Less is a special pro- file series featuring people af- fected by government cutbacks. If you have been affected by any type of government cuts and would like to be interviewed, contact the Times Advocate. If requested, anonymity will be provided. Unda Cowell and her 14 -year-old daughter, Crystalyn. When asked how she survived through that time, she replies, "The Lord helped us." Help did come from church and friends. Although those days are behind her, because of the cuts, she admits "It's going to be awfully short....We have not been ex- travagant over the years because we've lived on one income. This is going to be even less than that...You want to be doing what you're used to doing...It's a little disheartening." Admitting she's always been thrifty in the past, she continues to put her efficiency skills to use by buying clothes at rummage sales and freezing food. Considering her older vehicle a necessity, she admits she'd get rid of her television first if she had to. "There's no help with (car ex- penses) as far as social assistance is concerned," she says. At this point, if she chose to, she wouldn't be able to sell the car to get extra cash since it, like many of her possessions, are tied up with the marriage settlement. Although they own two pet birds, for Cowell and her daughter, en- tertainment such as going to mo- vies is out of the question and food must be chosen carefully. "My daughter and I don't eat big," she says. "The meat is the ba- sic thing that we have had to give up on." • She's discouraged because she can't take advantage of sales and stock up on food items like she used to. Now, with a decreased amount of dollars available for food, clothes and other necessities, she buys only what she needs at the time. For example, instead of pur- chasing fresh fruits and vegetables, which tend to be expensive this time of year, she substitutes frozen items. Although she feels she can han- dle her expenses, she's dis- appointed she doesn't have extra money. "I don't have the extra $20 a month to put in basic cable ser- vice," she says, explaining lack of cable service in her building means no channel access. When people advise her to put a little money aside each month for savings, she wonders where that non-existent money would come from. Christmas will also be different for Cowell this year, both family - wise and financially. "I will not be able to afford the things like turkey," she says. If she buys Christmas presents at all, she adds, "it'll be on a very, very tight budget." She stresses the fact social as- sistance is strictly a temporary measure for her and her daughter. "I'm not looking at welfare for all of my life," she says. "I'm in a life change I didn't count on taking place...I am a home owner and I have money behind me I can't make use of at this time. I'm much more like the next door neighbor." Although she admits there are people who abuse the welfare sys- tem, she feels stereotyping every- one receiving social assistance is unfair. "If something can change in peo- ple's attitudes...it would be helpful and people might be more compas- sionate...even willing to help others out." Next week, Living on Less will feature Exeter residents Bruce Shaw, Bob Bart and Donna Pridham, who have volunteered to use a social as- sistance budget of $23.25 for a week of groceries. Wreaths laid in remembrance at Varna cenotaph Joan Beierling VARNA - Following the church service in Varna the congregation met at the cenotaph for a short service and words of remembrance. The Lay- ing of the Wreaths was done by Bill McAsh on behalf of the Veterans, Jack Coleman on behalf of Stanley Township and Charles Reid on behalf of the Orange Lodge. . Hallowe'en party The Old Fashioned Family Hallowe'en Party sponsored by the Town- ship Rec Committee proved very successful. Pumpkin carving took place and pumpkins were judged with winners: Amanda Voison, Lindsay Broadfoot, Lindsay and Pam Love and Jenna Snell. A 'Guess the number of jelly beans' contest was won by Jason Beierling. Seniors The Stan Lee Seniors met on November 1 at the Complex with an open card party. Fourteen tables of euchre were in play and after ten games, winners were Elva Peck and Elsie Stewart with pink cards and Betty Grenier and Margaret Hess with white cards. Margaret Reid won for the most lone hands with 7. Door prizes were won by Bill Taylor, George Colcloyl, Gertie Moir, Norene Hayter and Mrs. George Colcloyl. Anna Keys gave everyone a laugh with the pranks played at their house on Halloween and a few words of wisdom. "We do not stop play- ing because we are old. We grow old because we stop playing". She then invited everyone to lunch served by Marg Hayter, Ruth Johnston and helpers. The Christmas meeting will be a party at the Blue Fountain in Clinton on December 6. Charles and Bernice Reid are in charge and everyone wishing to come can contact Bob Stirling or Anna Keys by December 1. Youth group The Trends Youth group will meet Wednesday, November 15 from 7:30 to 8:45 and will continue to meet every other Wednesday at the Brucefield Church. Trish MacGregor and her husband Paul from Kip - pen have assumed the ministry of leadership for this group. They con- tinue to seek another person to assist. For further information please contact Trish at 263-2306. They are also seeking at least two people to give leadership with the Teen Set Youth Group. If interested call Paul Gilroy or Miriam DeRiv- ers. UCW The Varna U.C.W. meeting was held at the home of Mary Ostrom. Mary Ostrom, Dorothy Ostrom and Doris Wilson were in charge of the program and their devotion was on 'What is Bread'. President Joyce Dowson gave a report on Camp Menesetung and gave a list of churches and U.C.W.'s in the area that have adopted cab- ins. A report was also made from ARC Industries stating they were very pleased with their quilt raffle and the proceeds go to Community Liv- ing. The Varna U.C.W. will be quilting another quilt for this cause this year. Marg Hayter reported that 674 cookbooks are sold to date and they are still available. Croklnole club The Varna Crokinole Club resumed season play with an Open (a nolo Party last Tuesday evening. Some regulars, Wing and dm* lies and others interested in joining this club attended this fun evening. Marg McClymont won high lady and Bill Russell won high man. Heather Beierling won low lady and Danny Rathwell was low man. Darcy Rathwell had the most pockets during the games. Other prizes went to Wayne Beier - ling for the closest birthday and Ross McDonald had the most loonies. Bridal shower Last Friday evening a community bridal shower was held for Melody Turner, daughter of Sandra and David, at the Stanley Township Complex. Diane Dewyse welcomed everyone and Cara Stephenson sang a solo. Kelly Rathwell, Mary Ellen Webster, Amy Jean Love, Janet Betties and Cheryl Stephenson put on a hilarious skit together about the wedding party picking out bridesmaid's dresses at Kelly's Store. Some of the selections were quite funny. Julie Consitt read the address. Melody opened many useful gifts and graciously thanked everyone. She will be married January 6 and everyone is invited to her open reception to be heldat the Complex. Church news December 3 is White Gift Sunday in the Varna Church followed by a potluck luncheon and a short Christmas Concert. Begin preparing your family's contribution for the concert. New Years Eve dance .Pc1t :ts are on sale for the Stanley Township Rec Committee's New Rea Eve dance. A band "Family Affair" from Sarnia has been booked. igriire $30 per couple and this includes a hot buffet and favors. For call any Rec Committee member.