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14- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, February 6, 1996 'People legitimately need help' Local woman calls on feds, province to work together From Page 1 yet." Ms Bell has learned first-hand the ups and downs of unemployment, feeling the elation that comes with the prospect of a job, and the deep an- guish when opportunities fall through. And a recent experience has her think- ing that the federal and provincial governments ought to be re-thinking their approaches to assis- tance for the jobless as they pursue their promis- es of employment crea- tion. She recently applied for a temporary position with the township, and felt that she was quite qualified for the job. An interview went well, and she was feeling more and more confident when a call came after, seeking reference con- tacts. "It's so long since I even got that far," she said. But government regula- tions gotin the way. "Sure enough, about an hour later I got the call saying, we're sorry," said . Ms Bell. "It was areal let-down." As it turns out, the township had no choice but to pass Ms Bell over. Their job opening was sub- sidized through Section 25 funding, and was open only to Employment Insu- rance recipients. Ms Bell, as of last month, had re- sorted to social services to make ends meet. She was left, once more without hope, contemplat- ing what she sees as a huge absurdity: The job for which she seemed so well suited was not open to her, because she was re- ceiving the wrong kind of government assistance. Later the same day she was hit again: Durham's social services depart- ment informed her that the $490 she had expected as a first welfare cheque in January would be re- duced, because she report- ed earning $24.50, in No- vember. "It means that $490 is going to drop," Ms Bell said. "Which means I don't know if I can cover my rent. Twenty-four dollars 1s not very much, but when it means you might not pay your rent, it's alot. Get In On The Plan | * Drive a new car, truck or minivan every 2 years o Affordable Payments * Save on taxes * Exercise Your Options Earlier * Low vehicle maintenance * Roadside Assistance * Ask us how the Guaranteed Future Value gives you more Affordable Payments MINIVA 4+ AEROSTAR 4 WINDSTAR + VILLAGER TAYLOR FORD MERCURY Sales & Leasing Parts & Service 985-3655 "I was just a basket case," she said. "I just sat here and literally cried." The situation got her thinking. She says now that sheis not against wel- fare reform -- in fact, she encourages the govern- ment to evaluate its sys- tem and weed out cheats and freeloaders -- but feels that something ought to be done to restore some sense of hope to those who genuinely want to get off the system, and into self- supporting roles in socie- ty. "I really would like to have them come and spend some time in my shoes," she said. "Yes, when I had a $13 dollar- an-hour job, it ticked me off thinking there's some lazy bum sitting there on welfare. "But there are people here who legitimately need help." Ms Bell has written to Premier Mike Harris, as well as Durham MP Alex Shepherd, to tell them her story. She's hoping that alerting politicians to in- consistencies in the sys- tem might lead the levels of government to work to- gether, finding ways to create more opportunity for people who depend on assistance, but really want to work. "I understand where Mike Harris is coming from," she said. "Rules have obviously got to be in place, and people are cheating the system. Sarah Bell at her Scugog home. The local woman says she realizes the" welfare system has to be overhauled, but wonders why federal and provincial sgovernments can't work together to help people on social assistance gain independence. "But theyre not hearing from the people who are desperately trying to get out of it, and can't. That's what I would like an an- swer to: Why aren't they working together?" In the meantime, Ms Bell is trying to keep her spirits up, and her job search continues. She said she won't stop seeking em- Test Drive the all new 1997 Ford F150 Supercab ployment until she has full-time work, and can es- cape the never-ending pressure of unemploy- ment. "Drowning. That's how I feel, it's drowning. You can't breathe. Even if I go for a walk, I've still got to come back, and I'm look- ing at these four walls." with the standard 3rd door. ~ All vehicles windshield priced to go! Low interest rates on new & used from 4.9%