NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather & SportsTimes Tighten for Working Poor

Times Tighten for Working Poor

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - During these tough times, a disturbing trend is taking hold. Many in the mid state who've worked and supported themselves their whole lives, now find themselves desperately needing help. Tuesday, some of their stories were told in part through a new exhibit at the Frist Center for Visual Arts. 

This Safe and Sound Report shows the places people can go for help, and how they're affected by the economy.

Mycella Moreland took a snapshot of her life last year, after she became homeless.

"We had lived with my godmother. Then she ended up having to foreclose on her house, so we ended up not having nowhere to go," said Moreland.

When the economy crashed, it had a deep impact on people in situations similar to Moreland.

Moreland is working full time and getting help from the Safe Haven Family shelter.

She's one of the lucky ones.  Safe Haven will help hundreds this year, but turn away more than a thousand families.

"The past sixth months has been some of the worst times as far as families coming in and needing assistance," said Stephanie Tinnell.

Several Middle Tennesseans say they are working, and they say they've always worked and stood on their own two feet, but because of lay offs and hour cuts, more and more people who have never asked for help before, now find themselves in need.

The Metro Action Commission will serve nearly twice as many people in its energy assistance program this year than last year.  Its rent assistance program is already out of money.

"It's really heartbreaking to see these families come in, you know they work every day like you and I do, but they're unable in this economy to make ends meet," said Lisa Gallon.

Metro action isn't alone. Urban Housing Solutions provides homes for those who otherwise couldn't afford to rent one. They have more than 600 units, but all of them are spoken for.

"Right now we're totally full and putting people on a waiting list," said a representative with Urban Housing Solution.

After a past full of drugs and alcohol, Arlene Dent was able to put her life back together with help from Urban Housing Solutions.

"I am a resident advocate for the Nashville Rescue Mission," said Dent. "Sometimes I just feel like, ‘Will it ever get better? What's the use? I'm doing everything I can what is really going on?'" she continued.

Society has this concept that those who ask for a handout aren't willing to work for it. Not only are aid organizations getting more calls for help, they're getting less money.  In many cases, the slow economy has led to a drop in donations from the public. 

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