From Welfare Rolls to Caring Roles

When Edith Grunbaum’s boyfriend left her last year, she became homeless and lost her self-esteem and hope.

But after struggling to support herself and her 8-year-old son with welfare checks and a sporadic string of minimum-wage jobs, Grunbaum now stands proud.

On Friday, the 30-year-old Westminster woman joined eight other welfare recipients and graduated from a new program that trains participants for jobs as caretakers of the developmentally disabled.

“I’m not going backward, ever,” Grunbaum said. “I went through a lot in the last year, and then this program came along.”

All nine graduates now are eligible for jobs that are in demand, said Joyce A. Hearn, chief executive officer of the Orange County Assn. of Retarded Citizens, which runs the program.

The program, which consists of an intensive three-week class, was launched earlier this month. Another class begins next month.

The pupils are referred by the Orange County Social Services Agency, and graduates are paired with jobs through MAS Enterprises Inc., a temporary-employment agency. Work locations will range from private homes to group homes and county facilities.

Regional Center of Orange County, a nonprofit organization that provides services for the developmentally disabled, is funding the $30,000 program.

During the emotional graduation, the graduates were described as trailblazers.

“You will give people hope,” said Larry M. Leaman, Social Services Agency director. “That’s what this really is about. Hope for you, hope for your family and hope for the people you will help.”

He said the program is “very promising” in helping the county meet a national mandate to move welfare recipients into jobs.

Graduate Dailene Coad, 33, of Fountain Valley, said the class prepared her for a job while raising her self-confidence. “This is the best training class that’s ever been offered to people on welfare,” she said.