TULSA, Okla. — As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to change the way of life for many, some are finding themselves in a financial situation they haven’t ever been in before.
Veteran Ifaseayi Amusan is one of those people. She lost her job at a catering company due to the pandemic. Since then, it has been stressful trying to make sure she and her son are taken care of.
“It has been tough,” Amusan said. “I have never been in a situation like this.”
Amusan usually participates in volunteer programs to help feed the homeless. Now, she is having to be more careful about how much she spends on food, because there has not been consistent income.
“For a solid month and a half there was no money coming in,” Amusan said.
But as a five year Navy veteran, Amusan is not one to give up.
“I have to keep pushing on no matter what,” Amusan said. “I need to make sure I take care of him [my son].”
First, she went to file for unemployment.
“I did all of the paper work, but it took weeks for me to get into contact with some one,” Amusan said. “When I finally got through, there was an issue with the system. So, now I am not even going to receive the small amount that could have helped.”
Despite the stress of her first option not working, she said her faith is what has been keeping her strong enough to push forward. In the mornings, she walks out in her yard to admire her sea of clovers.
“I am out here to greet the day and get myself grounded,” Amusad said. “I can’t allow that to stress me.”
While she keeps waiting for her stimulus check to come in, she says she’s been thankful for the kindest of others during this time.
“My landlord has been so kind and understanding,” Amusan said. “Even the man I bought my car from, it’s been helpful.”
Amusan says she is changing her focus towards other employment opportunities, even if temporary.
“I reach out to the Tulsa Work Force for some opportunities,” Amusan said. “They have been so sweet, but then I heard nothing for two months.”
Amusan said this was when she really leaned on faith.
“I had to accept this as a test,” Amusan said. “So, I just prayed and kept checking in with the office.”
Finally, she got a call last Friday.
“I was very relieved,” Amusan said. “I was like ‘Okay, it’ll be okay’.”
She now has a six week position at the Tulsa Dream Center. She just finished her first week.
“This is going to be my time to catch up,” Amusan said. “I am going to work hard to pay what I need to and focus on pushing ahead.”
As Amusan works, she has a message for those who are also finding themselves out of work.
“Don’t give up. Keep faith and don’t give up,” Amusan said. “And if you don’t have faith, get some.”
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