Thank you, welfare system.

The sense of entitlement of this woman is nothing short of astounding.

In 16 months she was unable to find a job to support herself and her child to the point where she can't even afford LOW-INCOME housing? And yes, I know she goes to college. Good for her. Truly. But going to college and getting two degrees in a four year period never stopped me from working almost full-time hours. There's nothing stopping her from getting a part-time job.

How HORRIBLE! The RENT-FREE housing in Roxbury is "cramped!" Here's a fucking thought: deal with it. It's RENT-FREE!!! You don't pay ANYTHING!!!

I just wanted to thank the welfare system yet again (oh, and yes--let's not forget the uber-liberals who believe people like this should be taken care of forever and ever, Amen) for taking money out of my paycheck every month to support scum like this.

Truly. Thank you.

Shelter resident balks at relocating
Refusal to leave ignites debate
By Brian R. Ballou, Globe Staff November 2, 2006

When a YWCA shelter for women in Dorchester closed yesterday, one resident decided to stay. And in holding her ground, she touched off a swarm of activity that swept politicians, housing advocates, Boston's housing court, and others into the fray.

Frankie Cook was a homeless and pregnant teenager when she found out last year about the YWCA-run, nine-unit residence catering to women in her situation. But yesterday, the brown three-decker she has called home for the past 16 months closed because of a budget shortfall. The ASWALOS House on Seaver Street is to be sold soon, organizers said.

Over the past week, six other women who lived in the house relocated to rent-free apartments in Roxbury provided by Nuestra Communidad. But Cook didn't budge, saying the alternate housing on Clarendon Street, offered to her by the YWCA, was cramped.

"I came back, and they asked me what I was doing," Cook said. "I told them I was staying, and they really didn't say anything to me."

Administrators for the YWCA and their lawyers went to Boston Housing Court, where they sought a judge's order to remove Cook and Darmarie DelValle, another single mother who lived at the house. Housing advocates, State Representative Elizabeth A. Malia, Democrat of Boston, Councilman Chuck Turner, and several community activists intervened. On the sidewalk outside the house, approximately a dozen people rallied for Cook and DelValle.

By mid afternoon, a compromise had been reached. Cook and DelValle, both 20, were offered additional storage space on Clarendon Street, and they agreed to move there.

The incident highlighted the tight funding that is squeezing programs serving low-income individuals, Malia said. ASWALOS House operated for 15 years. "This agency has a lot of financial issues," she said, standing outside the house. "The caveat here is that there are a lot of needy people and not a lot of options in Boston. Over the last four years, these programs have lost an incredible amount of funding."

Cook and DelValle said they had flourished at ASWALOS House, where the women were given chores and a curfew. DelValle earned her GED. Cook enrolled in Roxbury Community College to study nursing, making the dean's list her first semester.

Catherine Clark , the director of institutional advancement for YWCA Boston, said the programming for the displaced residents would continue at their new locations. "The sad fact is there is just not enough money to keep this place open.

© Copyright 2006 Globe Newspaper Company.