Brian recently was just hired at business in downtown Ithaca. He was very grateful to become hired because he was losing the benefits he was receiving from DSS. The business pays above minimum wage
but not Living Wage. Brian says he is very grateful to be receiving above minimum wage, but it still is not enough for him to get by, comfortably. He does not feel comfortable arguing or asking for a higher wage because they are nice enough to work his schedule around the bus schedule. He lives in a single room in Groton, because that is the only place he can afford, now that he isn’t receiving any help from DSS. He pays $400 in rent, but has to share kitchen, bathroom and everything. What he would like is to find something a little closer to his job and be able to have his own bathroom and kitchen. He doesn’t even need anything fancy, just simple, basic but most importantly clean, and have it be his own. Due to the bus schedule, it limits him from being able to work 40 hour weeks which the business is willing to give him, so he is hoping if all businesses signed on to paid Living Wage, he could afford something a little closer and could work more hours. [Editor’s Note: The subject’s name has been changed to protect the privacy of the individual.]
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