Lynette Mendez, 43, Holyoke, Mass.
By Beth Kowitt
Lynette Mendez wears pink sweaters and recently took in an unwanted cat. She is a mother hen who shuttles her daughter, Cheramie, to her after-school job and picks up her kids' friends from work. So it's hard to picture Mendez decked out in camouflage, scaling walls or firing M-16s. But that's what she'll be doing as soon as the paperwork goes through. Despite having a master's degree in accounting, she can't find a job - so she has joined the U.S. Army Reserve.
Lynette Mendez, 43, Holyoke, Mass.
By Beth Kowitt
Photo: Antonin Kratochvil/VII
Lynette Mendez wears pink sweaters and recently took in an unwanted cat. She is a mother hen who shuttles her daughter, Cheramie, to her after-school job and picks up her kids' friends from work. So it's hard to picture Mendez decked out in camouflage, scaling walls or firing M-16s. But that's what she'll be doing as soon as the paperwork goes through. Despite having a master's degree in accounting, she can't find a job -- so she has joined the U.S. Army Reserve.
Mendez concedes that basic training may be a physical struggle, but the single mom will do it to gain the financial stability she longs for. "I know we're going to be in a better position," she said, sitting in the living room of her fourth-floor walkup apartment in Holyoke, Mass. While she has found odd jobs, she says, "It's never been anything steady. It's been here and there. And it's awful."
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Search by Company | Search by IndustryThe military has become an employer of last resort for Mendez's family, reflecting a national trend toward higher enlistment rates in the midst of recession. Her older son, Samuel Morales, 23, joined the army and left on Dec. 31 for basic training in Kentucky. Ezxavier Morales, 20, decided to go the same route and will leave for South Carolina on Feb. 11. For all of them, it's a way out of Holyoke, which has an unemployment rate of 9.5%.
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Mendez tries to stay upbeat, but she admits she never expected her life to turn out this way. At 21 she came to Massachusetts from Puerto Rico and earned a bachelor's degree part-time while raising her kids. After graduating, Mendez landed a job examining claims at a health insurance company, but her division closed down in 2000 after she'd worked there for five years. She fell into what she now identifies as depression. "It takes a toll on you, when you don't have a job," she says. "It's not easy to be nice to people."
Things deteriorated further in 2005 after Mendez's husband, who had been injured at his job as a mechanic, died of complications from the medication he was taking. Mendez went back to school, figuring that a master's degree in accounting and taxation from American International College, the same place she had earned her bachelor's, would give her the edge she needed to get a full-time job.
She kept looking while studying, but since finishing up in December, nothing has come through; even applications to Wal-Mart and Burger King haven't worked out. Her final unemployment check arrived in mid-January. Soon she'll have to figure out how to start paying off her $36,000 student loan.
That unemployment check - and Cheramie's Social Security benefit from her father's death -- have been Mendez's only steady source of income, apart from irregular part-time work. At one point she held three jobs a day, working two gigs as a bookkeeper while squeezing in a job as a school bus monitor. Everyone chips in, including her daughter, who works at least 20 hours a week at McDonald's while going to high school.
Mendez stays in touch with her sisters and mother in Puerto Rico but glosses over her struggles. "I'm ashamed of telling them my problems," she says. "You think you would have been in a better position by now." Mendez worries that her job woes have turned her kids off of higher education. "My oldest will say, 'You have so much schooling, and look at you,'" she says. "It's like they lost faith." Not completely, though, and not all of them. Cheramie, 17, plans to go to college and has dreams of law school. How does she expect to pay for it? She's signed up for the U.S. Army Reserve.
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Mar 5th 2009 @ 7:42AM Connie
I think that's a little drastic when there other options in looking for employment. Working at home in your own business is the best thing you could do. Especially if you're a mom. You get into the right business that gives you daily pay and residual income, you're set for life in 5 to 6 years. Some people cringe when there's a cost but why shouldn't there be. You're getting into your own business! And if you spend more than $50 a month working your job now, it makes even more sense to come back home and be financially secured. I cringed when they wanted me to pay for just a job. Thankfully, I found my company and more than a year later, I'm still here and very grateful to be. If you want information about working at home, please respond directly to my email below.
Connie
SavanaSmiles@gmail.com
Reply
Mar 6th 2009 @ 6:19AM Brian
Hello Connie, I'd like to know more about home businesses. Thanks, Brian
Mar 6th 2009 @ 6:45AM Pam
Hi Connie,
I am a military wife and I applaud lynettes decision to enter the military reserves. Yes, there is sacrifice involved in the military but she will be more secure for it. The military is a good choice for anyone who is having a difficult time finding work. With a masters degree she will most likely enter as an officer and have a steady and secure form of income as well as dental and medical benefits. The added bonus here is serving hercountry because it takes a lot to mantain the freedom that so many peaple take for granted. She can be certain that she has the income to care for her remaining child at home and that child will have medical and dental as well. I have 4 children who have never wanted for anything. We are not wealthy but we have what we need. My teenagers understand that dad has to leave at times for his work and the hours are often very long but not 3 jobs long. They can feel pride in what thier dad does. The military has many programs for single parents to make it easier for them to perform thier duties. Reserve troops are a little different than active duty troops but I had a friend in school whos dad was reserve and they led a very middle class lifestyle.
Mar 6th 2009 @ 7:04AM ernesto jacquo
please email me and give me some info about your at home business.
Mar 6th 2009 @ 7:16AM Gloria
Ok, tell me about your opportunity please.
Mar 6th 2009 @ 7:16AM James
I am currently a career Warrant Officer on my 5th tour in Iraq.
We are seeing more and more of this each day, unemployeed citizens joing the services. A lot of older soldiers are coming in and this is not the career of their choice, so it makes serving their country hard for them, as they really dont want to be here. Many had great high paying jobs and are desparate to feed the family and pay the bills I understand their situation and respect the fact that they want to provide a better life for thier kids.
Hopefully our government can help make the changes need for a better life back home.
Mar 6th 2009 @ 7:32AM sherri
I am a single mom and very interested in working from home. I have looked into several different ads but they all seem to be rip-offs. If you have a sure deal I would love to hear from you. Thank you.
Sherri
Mar 6th 2009 @ 8:06AM Jerry
Spoken like a true liberal, why downplay someone who is refusing to quit and remain on the public dole. Most of those work at home types never pay taxes and continue to take there handouts.
Mar 6th 2009 @ 7:40AM Connie
What kind of home business are you in?
Mar 6th 2009 @ 7:57AM Ryan
I Disagree with the last comment that connie made! I'm an Infantryman with the U.S. Army (active) I'm currently serving with the 2nd Infantry division in Korea. I know how the military works and it's sad when people are left with no other option. I was 19 years old when I joined up and by the time I left I was 20 I was married rite before I left and now I have a child on the way. I'm very proud to do what I do and the fact of the matter is there is so much security in this job that I have nothing to worry about financially! I recieve a decent housing allowance which takes care of my Bills and Rent I have Medical insurance I don't have to pay for and even Life Insurance Policy that costs me no more than $4.00 a day. I also have access to FREE education and books and even if I decide to get out I have what's called The Montgomery GI Bill which will pay for schooling up to $32,000.00 for 4 years. So you tell me does this really sound all that bad? Of course basic training is intense but that is because they need mentally, physically, and morally tough people who can fight and defend the beautiful and gracious country we live in. Everyone is entitled to there own opinion, but if you discourage someone from joining the military or stop them from doing something they want to do you might as well call yourself un-american because we are a country built on hopes and dreams and most importantly Freedom.
Mar 6th 2009 @ 8:24AM steve n
i tnink those big shots on wall street should take on at least one family a piece.....dont they owe us that little bit
Mar 6th 2009 @ 8:27AM Sally
Connie:
Sure a home based business would we ideal but if Lynette cannot afford her basic expenses where is she suppose to find the extra $$ to start a business? I think her decision to join the Army was very brave! The benefits are great and if she stays around long enough so are the retirement benefits. I was a Navy wife for 21 years and have no complaints about our life. Good luck to Lynette and her family. Sally
Mar 6th 2009 @ 9:03AM Enrico
I think its admirable what she is doing. Stop trying to sell your online home based business and give her the credit she deserves!! A mother will always do whatever it takes for her children!
Signed,
Anonymous Son
Mar 6th 2009 @ 8:37AM Alex
Wow!!! Angelina Jolie's sex tape here:
http://youcelebtube.com/go.php
Mar 6th 2009 @ 9:02AM Lisa
I too am one that has lost a job not only once but twice! I have sent hundreds of resumes out and nothing. I have filled apps out for part time work for min. wage, nothing. I love her braveness for enlisting in the reserve as this is something I could never do. I have checked into work from home deals and they have all been scams and when your short on cash it is a very big deal and it stops you from believing in any work at home deals. My son has been looking for a good job since he has gotten out of school and all he keeps getting are crummy part time min wage jobs that the bosses are butts because they are in a position they hate so they take it out on the employees that they hire.
Mar 6th 2009 @ 9:01AM Kijhana
That is easy for people like you to say things like "Start Your Own Busines!" Since this recession a lot of people have been struggling. Yeah owning your own business sounds good but... If you don't have money to make money then you are still up against the odds. You have to put yourself in that person's shoes and look at their financial situation not how your living your life. Yes! Maybe you having your own business works for you and GOD BLESS you for your success! For some that is not an option when the need money now to support a family.
Mar 6th 2009 @ 8:55AM Jason
Connie - it is a bit harder than "hey I'm going to start a business and be rich". Starting a business requires customers and in a recession, like we are in, its tough to get people to spend there money on some small family business. Not to mention that fact that at least for the first couple years you make very little money and spend tons of time getting things going. This family needs to pay there bills now not in two years. I do not like the military either so I am not defending what they do with peoples lives in any way. That being said, sometimes its a last ditch way to get 3 meals and some money in your pocket when all else fails. It is easy for people that have a job to sit back and judge people that are looking and not finding. I happen to have a job so I am not merely defending my own position but I am understanding of the economic situation. Plus you are most likely running a pyramid in which the only person making money is you by swindling people out of theirs by telling them to join in with you.
Mar 6th 2009 @ 9:43AM nadine beers
Please send me info about your business.
Mar 6th 2009 @ 9:08AM Monica
I must say that I do not agree with you all the way. Atleast not in today's climate. Eventhough working from home is ideal for some, it is not for all. The other side of it is, is that those jobs are hard to come by. When you talk about investing in a business, sometimes people just don't HAVE IT! How can they invest in a home based business, if they cannot even put food on the table, pay for the roof above their heads or even 20.00 for 1/2 of tank of gas? You may or may not be a single mom/dad, but that is just what we do, we do what is necessary to keep our families together. This is a bit of the extreme, but this is their alternative and it must be admired, how many of us that have read this article actively serve or have thought about serving? To you who have or still are,, THANK YOU!! GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY LYNETTE! Que Dios te Bendiga AND GOD SPEED!
Mar 6th 2009 @ 9:12AM John Carpenter
I have been looking at home businesses on the computer and still haven't found any that makes feel like their leget or can be one you can believe in. Could you guide me thru or point me in the right direction. I will be out of work for at least eight weeks do to a medical issue but would still be able to work on the copmuter and possibly find something that would lead to full time. I delete any emails I don't recognize so please put something in the sudject line that I would recognize.