I survived living on a poverty wage with 2 kids and was able to get my master's degree. I hope that helps anyone struggling today.

I was a single mom with two children, working 40+ hours a week for $6.50 an hour. I left my ex after he moved us across the country to "get away" from my family. I was on welfare, and I got my B.A. degree from a state school. My mom was so proud. I was 25 and still on welfare. My dad was a retired police officer and suggested I apply with the local police department. It paid double what I was making, and it was a 30 minute commute. I didn't want to do it, I still had to support two kids, but it seemed like the only way out. A lot of women don't get in. I think it was because I spoke a foreign language. I was hired about a month later. I was hired as a limited English proficiency officer. <br>I have to put this in because people don't understand what it is like to struggle. I struggled in ways most people can't understand. I went from welfare to a middle class wage, and it changed everything. I was able to buy my kids clothes that weren't hand me downs. I was able to save enough money to get a master's degree. It was hard, but it paid off. I make a good wage now, and I got my M.A. degree. I was able to get my kids through college, and pay off my house. I just put my youngest through law school. <br>I don't think that many people understand what it's like to be on welfare and have to work a full time job. It's hard being a cop, but I was able to do it for over 25 years. I did a lot of overtime and worked a lot of different jobs within the department. I worked in the training academy, and I was on a homicide unit that investigated gang murders. I was a supervisor, and I was part of our cold case unit.<br>I just put my youngest through law school. Now, I get to spoil my grandkids the way I couldn't spoil my kids. I'm telling this because someone might need to hear this. If you are struggling, I know that it feels like it won't ever end. But, it might. Just keep pushing foward. It doesn't have to be a job as a police officer. It just has to be a job that you can do. I'm glad I was able to get a better paying job. I'm glad I got a master's degree. I'm glad I had a job that paid me enough to put my kids through college. I use to sit in the parking lot of the police department and cry before my shift. But, I'm so glad that I looked for a way out. Keep looking, you never know.