Meet Florenel. When her husband was injured in a tragic motorcycle accident, leaving him unable to work, Florenel had no idea how their family would be able to make it. She was pregnant with their fourth child and had no work experience outside of the home. However, she was committed to making ends meet so her children could continue their schooling. Florenel had been diligent in caring for her family and their home through laundry, cooking, and cleaning, but now there was added pressure and responsibility.
Florenel found a job with Dignity, and shared “I needed to work. I'm really thankful.” In a time that was filled with a sense of heaviness and darkness, working at Dignity filled her with hope, saying, “It’s like my life became lighter.”
Even still, the question of if her pregnancy would jeopardize her job was at the front of Florenel’s mind. It was unheard of to be able to keep her job and she could not imagine being able to return.
Much to her surprise, she was given maternity leave for childbirth from Dignity and could return when she was ready. With her husband still not able to work as a fisherman because of the damage done to his leg, Florenel’s ability to keep working greatly helped the family. Her children continued to go to school, her husband could focus on recovering from the accident, and there was food on the table.
