In 2006, Meghan suddenly faced a new reality: without warning, she became a single parent to her three-year-old child.
College-educated, working full-time at an above-minimum-wage job, Meghan did everything she could to provide for her family.
But it wasn’t enough.
Each month, she struggled to pay rent, afford childcare and cover basic necessities. “I was doing everything ‘right,’ but I couldn’t make ends meet,” she says. “I am not alone in this experience. The reality is that anyone can face unexpected hardship at any time. Financial hardship is not about making bad choices — it’s about an economy where wages don’t keep up with rising costs of housing, food and child care.”
At her lowest point, Meghan had to make an impossible decision: no longer able to afford housing in Middletown – where she had built a life and support system – it seemed her only option was to move to Georgia to live with her mother. The move would force Meghan to enter her child into one of the worst school districts in the country – and to walk away from an incredible job with a wonderful employer.
Recalling an advertisement from a United Way workplace campaign, Meghan dialed 2-1-1 – and changed her life.
211 connected Meghan to resources that helped her apply for local moderate-income housing, find child care support and secure energy assistance to get through a harsh winter. These services provided more than temporary relief; they gave her the stability she needed to keep her job, care for her child and build the foundation for a bright future here in Connecticut.
And in the 19 years since she called 2-1-1, Meghan has given back to her state. She works, pays taxes, volunteers, gives to her local United Way (Middlesex) and contributes to the economy — all because she was able to access the right resources at the right time.
211 helped Meghan turn her life around – so much so that she helped her mother relocate from Georgia to Connecticut to be closer to the family.
Meghan is grateful for the help she received – and proud of all that she has accomplished. She’s also passionate about advocating for state investment in 211 and educating others about 211’s vital services. She states, “Every Connecticut family deserves the opportunity to work and build a future here.”