Motivation: --

Praying that a change is going to come!!!

Since the pandemic began it’s truly been hard on myself and family these past several months. Before the covid-19 I recently received not 1 but 2 parttime jobs with the Palm Beach County School District. Now I’ve been unemployed since March 13, 2020 all due to that all schools are closed due to this pandemic. Immediately after we were notified that we were going to be unemployed I reached out to all my bill collectors notifying them that I was currently let go due to the pandemic. They said it was fine whenever I can pay just submit a payment. In April we all received a stimulus check, and that helped for a months worth of bills. Im still praying for the second stimulus to be approve, but I really believe that that check is null and void. In Oct of 2019 I started the Circles Program. This program is geared more towards family in poverty and helping them get out of poverty. This program teaching us life skills, community building, becoming apart of a sisterhood and being a leader. Since I started this program they have been a big help with giving us the proper resources to use to get all the help we need thru these trying times. We usually meet every Thursday evening, but since the pandemic it has forced to meet video chat since then. I’m so glad that our coaches didn’t give up on us during these times, because this give us a little normality even thou were seeing each other on video. Also seeing the coaches and leaders puts a smile on my face and takes the stress off of me. I try not to worry but the truth of the matter is bills do not stop, but my finances did! Thank the Lord that state up our food stamps to the max. And I’m grateful that we been receiving free food weekly, so I can still feed my family. I filled out for unemployment but that’s still not enough! I have a car payment, car insurance, internet so that my children can do their school work, phone bill, light, water , mortgage and let’s not forget that I still need side money personal hygiene, wash detergent, bleach and etc. Im praying for a miracle and keeping faith that this will end soon so things can get back to normal. Or I’m hoping for a big miracle because I really can’t afford to lose anything I work so hard for. Praying that a change is going to come!

I’m talking about essential paces not the beach!

Ms Earlina Hollis has been a native of Boynton Beach for the past 71 years. She is the 4th oldest of 13 siblings. Her mother,Eva Hollis 96 , also lives in Boynton Beach. Ms Earlina, quickly stated, that they are opening up too soon and my fear is that the virus will come back with a vengeance!I don’t own a car and I walk to my Mom’s every morning to prepare her breakfast. This corona virus is very serious, We must give it time to heal. Get out when you need to and do not go anywhere if you don’t need, I’m talking about essential places not the beach! We,all know,someone who has died from this corona virus! Ms Hollis could certainly use a bike! Maybe even a three wheel cycle.

God’s got my family back

Me,my mother, and brother been out of work for 4 weeks now. I am part timer so I don’t get any PTO. So we have been about how we’re going to pay our bills.

The Coronavirus Journey

Being tested POSITIVE for the coronavirus is a grueling journey.The protocol for this outcome was isolation in my room for at least two full weeks. After that, I would have to be tested until I received two consecutive NEGATIVE results before I could return to the workplace. My room is upstairs and no one was allowed to entire without a mask and gloves on. The sources of nutrition were left at the bottom of the stairs for me, and once I was finishd eating, the dishes were put back on the stairs for removal. I felt like a leper. Slowly, I began to feel Back to the life of the living, I was able to watch TV, more lucid and animated, began to eat, and gain back the seven pounds I had lost. But my most prominent symptom was difficulty breathing. With each passing day, I felt stronger and stronger, better and better. I wasn’t going to let this pandemic coronavirus beat me. Although I’m a fighter, my spirit was shrinking. I had four POSITIVE COVID-19 tests and one NEGATIVE one squeezed in there. I’m still quarantined and feel like an outcast.

My New Normal

This new normal has been somewhat difficult for me. I am a people person that always greeted everyone with a hug. I work with children and I always greeted them with a kiss and a big hug. When my children see me they come running with arms open wanting that hug and kiss. They don’t understand social distances. Having to learn how to use Zoom, Google Classroom and Google Meets has been a challenge. I have gracefully accepted my new normal.

Living with the New Normal

I am working from home, which is a benefit. My children are learning digitally, which means that I have to also teach them academically. For my husband it gas changed his day to day and how he does things and being mindful those who are around him. We have a new normal. Lastly, no real social gathering and meeting with friends.

A New Beginning from The Seemingly End

My mom works in the medical/health field. She goes to private residences everyday and she was over on Palm Beach and she went to see a patient. There are different protocols for people with and without corona diagnosis. She was made aware that neither the patient of her husband had tested positive for it and that they only had pneumonia. She felt fine at first and didn’t think anything of it but the next morning we got a call informing us we were to remain in quarantine for 3 weeks and get tested twice as both the patient and her husband actually have corona. My mom ended up testing positive so I had to go remain in other housing until it is cleared up. As a student I do not have very much money so it has been very hard to manage the stress of 14 credit hours including Orgo 1 and 2, the cost of groceries, and the constant absence of toiletry items. I basically had to start all over.

#NEEDHELP

The way COVID-19 has impacted me is by not having needs or goods to feed my family.