Gift of a car to needy family will help single mother get the jobs she has wanted to take.
By: Rebecca Tokarz
Things are looking up for one township family that has struggled with the financial stress of unemployment for more than a year.
Just before Christmas, the single mother, who asked that her name not be used, received word from township officials that a township resident a complete stranger wanted to give the family a 1990 Toyota Corolla.
The family did not have access to a vehicle, which limited the 39-year old mother from finding employment not located along a bus route.
The mother said that when she initially heard the news, she didn’t know how to react.
"I’ve lived here for nine years and it’s so different you have to be so independent. I was so overwhelmed. I wanted to meet this woman and say ‘thank you,’ " she said. "I’m so excited. I have a 19-year-old daughter who just had a baby. This makes things so much easier commuting and I can take the kinds of jobs I’ve been wanting to take. It makes doing the small things so much easier."
The mother learned near the end of 2002 that she would be laid off from her administrative assistant job in Princeton because the company relocated to Boston, leaving about 50 employees without jobs.
Since then, she has taken jobs as a temporary secretary or administrative assistant when she can find work through an agency. Some jobs lasted a couple of weeks, others a bit longer.
Employment placements have been limited because of the economy and because she didn’t have a car, she said. She also needed to find someone to care for her younger children for extended periods of time.
The township resident has been unemployed since October.
In addition, the family has relied on unemployment benefits and the services of the South Brunswick Township Food Pantry run through the township’s Department of Social Services.
The pantry is a township-run operation that provides needy families with food throughout the year. The pantry helped more than 400 families during 2003.
Looking for a permanent job now becomes a bit easier thanks to a woman known as Karen.
The families were put in touch with one another and met. The mother said Karen made sure the vehicle was tuned-up prior to drop off and gave the family the phone number of the vehicle’s mechanic for future service. She said Karen didn’t expect any recognition for giving the family the car, she was just looking to help.
"I can’t tell you how helpful LouAnne has been and Karen. I can’t even express it in words," she said.
LouAnne Wolf is the director of Social Services.
The mother is still in the process of securing vehicle registration and insurance for the vehicle. She said she will receive some financial assistance from family members to help cover the costs of car insurance until she finds a job.
Then she’ll call the temp agency and look for employment.
"I can call my agency and tell them I’m open to take those places I haven’t been able to travel to before," she said.
Her boys have big plans for the car as well. The woman said she watches them go to the window and look at it.
"They look and check to make sure it’s still there. We haven’t had one in a while," she said. "We used to take the bus to the grocery store Stop and Shop. Then I’d have to take a cab home and that was $9 or $10. I can go to Shop Rite now. They’re (her children) first stop is Friendly’s and a movie."
The mother said she is grateful and plans to get herself back into the position to be able to help others.
"I want to be able to return the same gift one day."