Bay Area Chapter of 9to5 National Association of Working Women held its Fifth Regional Leadership Conference, which examined the special plight of CalWORKS families and working low-income moms.


San Jose, CA — Many Silicon Valley low-income single moms are struggling to survive in California’s worst recession in the past 25 years. Employed low-income single moms often work at jobs that lack health insurance and paid sick days. Those on CalWORKS receive substandard aid that will not cover their rent in most cases.

A CalWORKS grant is $723.00 per month for a family of three. This is way below the Family Economic Self-Sufficiency Standard of about $5,000 per month for a family comprised of an adult with a preschooler and school-aged child in Santa Clara County.

On Saturday, March 21 2009, Bay Area Chapter of 9to5 National Association of Working Women held its Fifth Regional Leadership Conference, which examined the special plight of CalWORKS families and working low-income moms who lack health insurance and paid sick days.

The conference was held at the African-American Community Service Agency 304 N. Sixth Street in San Jose. “I’m on CalWORKS and it’s a struggle to pay my rent and other bills. The state refused to give even a cost-of-living increase for CalWORKS. I don’t understand why the government chooses to balance the budget on the backs of low-income parents and our children. It’s not only unfair, but it’s inhumane,” said Sylvia Gutierrez.

“Every week, we receive calls from low-income working single moms who lack health insurance and paid sick days. Many are afraid to go to the doctor because they can’t afford to pay. Others go to work sick because they can’t afford to stay home. Women are getting fired just for getting sick.

It’s wrong to force anyone to choose between her paycheck and her health or the health of her children,” said Cathy Deppe, Lead Organizer for California 9to5 National Association of Working Women.