Too Old, Too Young: A Family Unemployed

Maria, a 40-something single mother, feels trapped in a curious time bind. She seems to be too old to get a job and conversely, her 18-year old son Julio seems to be too young. "It's funny, they tell me I'm overqualified, and they tell him he is inexperienced," she says with a weak smile.

Maria worked for twelve years as a legal clerk, but the firm closed several years ago. Soon, she was hired by a well-to-do family as a nanny for their three children. But when the family moved abroad one year ago, she was unemployed again.

Three months ago, Maria contacted one of the JDC-sponsored Social Assistance Centers and asked for help. After months of odd jobs and earning an erratic income, her savings were gone.

"I asked to sign up for the food voucher program," she recalls. "I felt ashamed to ask for money to pay my bills."

Maria now teaches English and sews shirts for sale. She is a regular at the Macabi JCC's sewing workshop.

"Julio is starting college this year, studying psychology. I hope he will be able to graduate and have a better life than me. But five years in this country is a long, long time."