Need $5,000 or a tent will be my new home

On November 11, 2009 my life drastically took a turn for the worst.  Everyone thinks that a bad economy does not affect me but it can.  Maybe not right now but definitely in the future.  This is how everything change for me.

I started working with an insurance company on May 20, 1996 right after leaving my husband (housewife with two small children).   He was cheating of course so I needed a job.   I was offered a position starting at $7.50 per hour.  Things were very tight but I worked everyday and was eventually promoted to Supervisor in May 1998 making $45,000 annually.  The next ten years went by, children graduated from high school and though everything was great.  The economy slowed down and so the company started working with off-shore vendors to handled some our our work. 

The next year was real rough, not knowing what the future would bring.  The day finally came when my manager advised due to outsourcing the company decided to "re-organized our company and I was selected to be laid-off.  I heard what she said but could not process it at that time.  While gathering my belongings, I looked up and thought maybe there is something new and greater for me.

I was really wrong.....I applied and applied, over 100 resumes mailed, emailed and personally given but no one was hiring.  Finally I received a call, had the interview and was offered an office clerk position at a residental re-entry program (that's correct working with inmates).   The position started at $9.50 per hour.  Great, maybe I can catch up with my bills.  Well, the position was 25 miles one way.  It costed me $60 per week in gas and when you recieved only $380 per week before taxes, it was not much to help catch up, it was just enough to stay a float.  So after 18 months I started the search again.

I applied and applied, but no one was hiring.  I received a call, had an interview and got the job as an intake specialist for a private advocacy group whom assist veterans received their service connected disability benefits.  They were paying more and I was only 7 miles away.  Great!

This group were slave drivers...the more you do the more they want.  You were not allowed to take breaks; only your 45 minute lunch.  You were only spoken to when you were being reprimanded.  Their two greatest lines are "Just get it done" and "Everyone is replaceable".  After 18 months of this stress my body just could not take it so it shut down.  "Panic Attack" was what the doctor called it.  He advised I was overwhelmed with stress and I needed to change.  So I went back to work with a new attitude but my job had one too.  Double the case load with no pay increase (you heard me correctly) NO PAY INCREASE.  I had another panic attacked and did not return.  So now I am in the position of losing my home and cannot get help through any assistance program due to "leaving positin due to medical illness" so I am asking you.  Help, Help, Help.