A portrait of hard times in the Valley

The family of five lives in a motel room.
By SEAN BARRON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- A combination of a tight economy in the Mahoning Valley and rising costs for food, natural gas and other necessities is causing more low-income working families to fall on hard times.
That's reflected in the increasing number of clients, some of whom work full time, seeking government-funded financial and other assistance, say officials at the Mahoning County Department of Job and Family Services.
Dane and Sheri Carder and their three children are among those who know this situation firsthand.
"To me it's hard, and it's embarrassing because I feel I should be providing for my family," said Dane, referring to the bad luck and financial difficulties that have caused the family of five to make their home in a small motel room in Canfield.
"No matter how hard I work, we can't get ahead. We can't catch up."
Full-time job
Since August 2004, Dane Carder has worked 40 hours a week or more at Wal-Mart in Austintown, making just over $8 an hour as a Lube Express technician. For a while, he worked 85 to 90 hours a week holding down two jobs.
"Wal-Mart treats me good, but I can't afford to have health care taken out of my check," Carder said, adding that he brings home about $375 every two weeks after taxes.
The Carders also receive transitional Medicaid benefits, set up to provide medical coverage to families who are ineligible for other programs because they have employment income.
The benefits help people who have jobs but lack hospitalization coverage, explained Evelyn Holovatyk, a JFS supervisor. For the first six months, some clients can receive assistance regardless of wages; after that, benefits are based on income guidelines, Holovatyk said.
If the parents are ineligible to receive benefits, they can still apply for coverage for their children, she said.
Nevertheless, since losing his $17-an-hour job in December 2003 at Youngstown Steel Door -- a position he had for more than seven years that offered full medical benefits -- Carder, 30, and his 34-year-old wife, Sheri, and their three children have had to move several times.
Motel is home
Since Dec. 1, they have called the El Patio Motel & amp; Apartments, 485 W. Main St., home. Their weekly rent is $125.
After losing his higher-paying job, Dane said, he was no longer able to afford the rent at their Boardman apartment. For about six weeks, the Carders lived with a relative in Austintown, but that arrangement didn't work out, Sheri added.
Complicating the Carders' situation is the series of health problems Sheri is dealing with and the difficulties the couple say they have had settling certain issues pertaining to Sheri's health insurance.
For several years, Sheri has suffered a brain tumor, which she says has increasingly swelled over the past year. Because of her physical problems, which also include a small tumor on her forearm, torn tendons, a torn rotator cuff, a kidney infection and cysts on her ovary and uterus, Sheri is unable to work.
Sheri said that she needs several tests, including an MRI for the rotator cuff, as well as pain medication, but can't get those until the health insurance issues are taken care of. Other health-related problems such as treatment for her cysts and tendons are being paid for by Medicaid, she said.
Deborah Shurilla, JFS' deputy director, said her agency saw an increase in the number of applications for Medicaid, food stamps, medical and other assistance last year compared with 2004.
More need help
Largely because of economic factors, including a stagnant minimum-wage standard, more people sought assistance for basic living needs, she noted.
Another contributing factor is the Valley's unemployment rate, she noted. As of December 2005, the latest date for which figures are available, the jobless rates were 6.7 percent and 8.3 percent for Mahoning County and Youngstown, respectively, according to JFS and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Both figures are among the highest in the state, Shurilla said.
Some families in situations similar to those of the Carders participate in the Ohio Works First program through JFS, Shurilla said. The program allows people to earn financial assistance for up to three years by participating in work experience at various sites in the county; clients have to work at least 129 hours a month, Shurilla said.
Grateful for help
Despite their struggles, which also included filing bankruptcy last April to keep the one vehicle they own, the Carders say they are grateful for help they have received from friends, co-workers and even strangers. Sheri said that someone the family didn't know came to the their motel room door shortly after their arrival and paid for the family's rent for one month.
"We wish to thank whoever it was very much," Dane said.
The family received five boxes of toys during the holidays for their son, Adam, 2, and their daughters, Kaitlyn, 7, and Breanna, 9, both pupils at Hilltop Elementary School. During the same time, the family was featured on WFMJ-TV 21 and received donations of food, gift cards and money.
The Carders said they wanted to thank his co-workers at Wal-Mart and the Austintown PTA for giving them food and toys, as well as others who helped, including a couple from Salem.
To that end, the family has set up the Sheri and Dane Carder account at the Home Savings and Loan Co. People can make donations at any Home Savings branch, the couple noted.
Despite the hardships and having little space to play, Dane said, Breanna and Kaitlyn have made friends at school and get good grades. The girls "have each other to keep them distracted from the situation," their father said.
Dane pointed out that his top priorities are to take care of his wife and children, to find an affordable home and to buy a second vehicle.