Despite a prosperous economy, the Willis family is struggling hard to make ends meet

October 21, 1999
Web posted at: 7:20 p.m. EDT (2320 GMT)

In this story: Living with grandmother Dental care is too expensive RELATED STORIES, SITES

From Chicago Bureau Chief Jeff Flock

CHICAGO (CNN) -- Clovinia Willis doesn't look like a poor woman at first glance. She looks like a lot of mothers as she rises early to get 5-year-old Maurice and 3-year old Taickia ready to leave the house.

"Come on Maurice, time to get up," she tells her son. "Get a towel and wash your face," she said, urging both children to get dressed and eat breakfast.

The family doesn't look poor, but when they tally their income and expenses they qualify.

"My kids always come first, but when it comes to myself, I have to cut corners here and there," said Willis, 24.

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This family is right at the poverty line. When Clovinia is finished getting the kids to daycare and school, she goes to an assembly line job that pays not much more than $13,000 a year, the poverty level for a family of three.

Living with grandmother

"It is a misconception that everyone is thriving right now," said Froma Walsh, a professor at the University of Chicago's Center for Family Health. "In fact one in five children is living in poverty."

The Willis children share a tiny bedroom in their grandmother's house because Clovinia can't afford to rent a home of her own. And saving for the family's future is impossible.

"We need higher pay at jobs," said the young mother who is struggling to get by.

She clears about $1,000 a month. Even with reduced rent, she has a $239 car payment. Then there is car insurance, food and clothing, and child care, which costs $35 a month.

Dental care is too expensive

Her children have health care, but a dentist is a luxury.

"Most people can't pay the extra money -- it's too expensive," said Clovinia.

Her priorities are getting a better job, health insurance and a home of her own.

She would vote for a president who doesn't think the economy is doing so great right now, because for her, it isn't.

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