A Difficult Childhood
For many, the roots of poverty begin in childhood. Some have grown up never seeing someone get up and go to work every day. The only way they ever saw money come into the house was through a check from the government or through some kind of illegal activity. Many become addicted before they can even drive a car. They may have very limited skills, education, family support and understanding of what it means to be independent.

Successful Lives Gone South
There are others who have lived very successful lives-individuals with graduate degrees, impressive careers, families, and property. Somewhere along the line, their lives have been derailed by some unexpected or traumatic loss, discouragement, or hardship. They are overwhelmed by a sense of failure, guilt, or grief. Many begin to depend on alcohol and drugs to numb the pain, which can easily lead to addiction. Eventually, they become so full of shame, they would rather hide on the streets than reach out for help.

Vulnerable Women and Children
The saddest are the women and children. The numbers of women and children turning to us for help have increased over the past five years. Lack of low-income housing options coupled with disintegrating family relationships has traumatic effects. The average woman suffers a dramatic drop in income when a relationship ends, with many fathers failing to pay child support.

What are some of the barriers low income moms face?

PROBLEM #1: She can't read.
Many low income moms are illiterate. They are unable to read "help wanted" ads or fill out a job application.
SOLUTION: Through our learning workshops we help low income moms  improve their reading and other academic skills. Many of our students make great progress very quickly!

PROBLEM #2: She has no phone number or address.
Job applicants need a way for potential employers to contact them. But that's only the beginning. Enrolling a child in school, applying for appropriate aid, even filling out a rental application all require an address.
SOLUTION: G.E.M.S. provides an address and contact phone number for men and women in our emergency shelter and recovery programs.

PROBLEM #3: She has no job or life skills.
Employees need job skills as well as relational skills to get along with bosses, coworkers, and customers. Low income moms from dysfunctional backgrounds often have neither.
SOLUTION: Through hands-on work experience and classes, we help low incme momsdevelop the skills they desperately need to succeed. G.E.M.S. offers workshops and a variety of comprehensive programs for our moms with the goal of empowering them to live fulfilling, independent lives.

PROBLEM #4: She has mental health or addiction issues.
Severe depression; crippling addiction; problems like these often prevent homeless people from being successfully employed.
SOLUTION: Through our Achieveology Programs, Back to Life-Back To Reality programs, and our mental health clinic, we can our moms make significant progress.

PROBLEM #5: She has no clean clothes or place to shower.
Being clean and presentable is a must for job interviews, but difficult to manage when you're living in a cardboard box or under a bridge.
SOLUTION: G.E.M.S. provides showers and clean clothing for all of our moms. Before a job interview, we make sure our moms have appropriate, professional attire from head to toe.