Oh boo effin' hoo. I also "found myself with a small child" and no resources in my younger years, because of the foolish choices I made about my education and who I got naked with.
I SET ASIDE my dignity for a few years and accepted the most limited assistance I could get by with, worked my behind off, and turned my life around. I am now sitting in my large, comfortable home, have a very well-paying job as does my wonderful husband, and that small child "I just happened to find myself with" is a smart, terrific, gorgeous young lady who has been sent to excellent private schools and is working on early college while completing high school.
Time to pay back for the hand up I got. And I do, every time I look at the right side of my pay stub. You're welcome. Pass it on please.
My family always helps each other up when any of us fall down. I was helped, now I help.