Micro- economics. I don't want or need this word to be defined for me by a dictionary. I live this everyday on the money I recieve from San Francisco's Dept. of Human, Services (D.H.S.) also known as WELFARE. I am defined by D.H.S. , along with my daughter, as a single-parent head of household, plus one. Technically we represent a unit of two, therefore we are entitled to the micro-economically deprived sum total of $493.50 per month. We spend every waking hour (as the parent this is my task) attempting to make this amount last from momth to month. This can only be done on paper as a matter of theorectical application. On my block we smilingly refer to it as a waste of paper.

Tonight my child and I are once again in search of someway to survive another day. We are part of a fortunate few being given the opportunity to participate in government subsidized program that will ,eventually help us transistion off welfare to work. This particular program is the Bay are IDA collaborative program. The East Bay Asian Local Develpoment Corporation is comprised of thirteen different organizations that serve low-income individuals . The main idea is to help all of us low-income and close to no-income set up a savings program. The way the system is set up now you can easily be penalized for having any savings, IDA's are attempting to change that way of thinking.

George Loew was the E.B.A.L.D.C. representative at the orientation. Along with the basic information he was dispensing he also intimated that there may be cause to plant seeds of hope. IDA's can be used for job training or education, business start-ups, up to $600 and first-time home ownership (not all participants will qualify), up to $1,920. At this meeting we get information as well as applications to be filled out in order to determine eligibility. Now of course all of us low slash maybe no-incomes know about forms and the absolute need to first determine eligibility, after which if we meet the necessary requirements we proceed to the next step which is to make an appointment. If we make it to the next appointment, we bring along with us the filled out forms to a one on one meeting with E.B.A.L.D.C. If accepted into the program you attend five weekly sessions on money management, attend other training specifically related to your individual goal. For those of us trying to stretch our meager monthly income the concept of savings is so strange and alien that we truly need the assistance of others to familiarize us with something left over to be "saved". At this point we are then shown how to open an Individual Development Account at a designated financial institution ,make monthly deposits and attend monthly "peer savers" club meetings. This is a good idea.

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As we all know by virtue of it's being a good idea, it does not have a snowballs chance in hell of being actualized. They are presently compiling the statistical data necessary to present to government (on the Federal level)the need for this program, a.k.a. enough numbers to get funded. Now back to reality, word on the street is that knowledge is power. I say power is an action , Knowledge is only power if you use it. What happens if not only you don't use it cause you don't know it, but you are having trouble confirming it cause you never heard it. In order to have acess to this program you must be referred through one of the thirteen organizations comprising E.B.A. L. D. C. As soon as I get a list of them all you will be the first to know. I am presently a part of Poor magazines WE WILL BE HEARD NEW MEDIA JOURNALISM STUDIES PROGRAM. If I were not a part of this program I would not have ever heard of IDA's. In my particular class there are less than a dozen students , fortunately for us chosen few Poor Magazine is enpowered to allow us entrance into the hallowed halls of participation (if we meet the eligibility requirements) . If you don't have acess to the knowledge, you sure as heck won't be using it, and you can trust me on this one , you will lose out on a lot by not knowing. In this program your personal savings held in an IDA account are matched by the Bay Area IDA Collaborative Program, two dollars to every one dollar you save. Your matched savings are kept in a parallel account managed by the IDA Program. You will recieve monthly statements from your banking institution,showing your personal savings & fromthe program showing your earned match. You will also recieve matching funds for savings used towards your designated savings goal. If you have any questions pertaining to IDA's contact George Loew at (510)287-5353 ext.436, or e-mail Gloew@ebaldc.com.

As I sat there listening small rays of hope began to tinge the edges of my reality. Not those big rays you may associate with sunshine, but tiny tingles along the edges because along with them came the realization that only a hand full of us will be able to take advantage of this cause only a few of us know. So my real contribution to the cause will be to let you know that in order to get info on how to get a referal , reach out to Poor Magazine attn. Lisa Gray-Garcia. CAll (415) 863-6306 and ask Lisa about IDA's . It has been my experience that it costs a lot to be "poor" in San Francisco and now thanks to Poor Magazine I have taken another step away from low-income.

by Irma Jean Lewis-Epps