was 9 months away from completing a medical technology program at the Community College when I got a letter from the Welfare Office saying that I had to enroll in a “Job Club” and find employment or lose my benefits,” Rose Edwards, a 32 year old mother of 2, who had always worked but still qualified for partial welfare benefits recalls. “I had been trapped in low wage jobs and welfare for 3 years and I felt that the education I was about to complete was my only path out. So when I got the letter, I thought there must be some mistake.” But a call to her caseworker confirmed that she, along with many other welfare recipients attending training and education programs at the time that the new 1996 welfare law took effect, was expected to immediately find employment, and be working at least 32 hours   Continued