Clara Simmons moved to Colorado from Arizona seven months ago to be closer to family, get back into school and find a job.
Now, she’s enrolled in online courses to become a medical assistant but contemplates returning to Arizona as her searches for employment have come up short.
“A lot of networking and who you know goes into finding a job,” says Simmons, 25, who lives with her older brother in Aurora and has a 6-year- old daughter. “I feel like I have a larger base and more connections back in Arizona, which should help out.”
Her days have often consisted of filling out endless applications at a variety of nearby stores and restaurants. Or by clicking “send” as she submits applications on the Internet.
“Even really low-paying jobs like fast food, which don’t pay enough for me to support myself and my daughter, aren’t hiring,” she says. “When I have applied, they just say we’ll keep your application on file because so many people are applying.”
Before relocating, Simmons earned a stable income from her job as a corrections officer. She says a medical problem prevented her from doing the job, and she was was let go.
“The money was good, and my daughter and I were able to live comfortably,” Simmons says. “When I had that job, we had our independence. Not working, you lose that sense of independence.”
She adds that she never realized how tough it would be to find a job, even one that pays minimum wage.
“It’s been difficult,” says Simmons, who is not receiving unemployment benefits from the government. “My family has helped me out as much as they can, but I need to do it on my own and provide for my daughter.”
With some credits from a brief stint at a community college, Simmons is optimistic that if she earns her degree, her situation will improve.
“Education has always been important to me,” Simmons says. “But it’s been sidetracked by the birth of my daughter. If I can just get my degree, I know things can be better.”
Kurtis Lee: 303-954-1655, klee@denverpost.com or
