Phinisee received monetary support from one of the group homes she had lived in when she was under DHS care. The home, in Berks County, had helped pay part of her $825-per-month rent when she was enrolled at Temple. But when she had to quit classes to take care of Assiah, the money stopped.
Phinisee also quit an internship at Radio One Philadelphia when her daughter's health went downhill. Renard Odrick Jr., promotions coordinator at Radio One, described Phinisee as "a person with a very strong will," and as a "very dedicated mother."
He said that when she worked there, she helped deliver presentations, and was very professional.
"Every time we asked her to do a task, it was always done not on time, but before time," he said.
Phinisee receives $675 a month from Social Security disability benefits for Assiah, but wonders how they will survive on that. She had to apply for food stamps, and also gets $27 a month of supplemental income from the state welfare system. Medicaid pays for Assiah's medical care.
KenCrest, a private human-services agency, has been helping Phinisee because of her baby's developmental issues. Kim Prendergast, the social worker assigned to Assiah, has gotten to know Phinisee fairly well and has helped put her in touch with a social-services center that is expected to help Phinisee pay her back rent.
"She's just a very compelling, engaging young woman," Prendergast said of Phinisee. "She's just been through so much. She's so resilient. Whatever resource I give her, she follows up right away.
"She's a great mom, too, with a very sick baby."
With all of the hardships in her life, Phinisee still tries to stay positive.
"I just try to remain hopeful that things will eventually change," she said. "I just try to keep myself in that state of mind. That there are people out there who are willing to help."
