Madonna’s Story:

How Ticket to Work Opened the Door to Confidence and Career

Before joining the Ticket to Work program, Madonna lived with constant fear and frustration. She felt unheard, overlooked, and unsure how she could work without losing the Medicaid she depended on. What she needed most was someone to slow down, explain things clearly, and truly listen.

Through Ticket to Work, Madonna found an advocate — someone who walked beside her, answered her questions, and helped her believe in herself. She learned how to work while protecting her benefits, and for the first time, felt supported instead of rushed. “This is the very best thing I’ve ever been involved in,” she says.

Today, Madonna is thriving. She’s heading into her fourth year on the job, earned a raise, and proudly says, “I love my job. I deserve my raise, and I am good at my job.” Working in the mental health field, she now encourages others receiving SSI to take the same leap she once feared.

Her advice is simple and powerful: “Please take that chance. Ticket to Work isn’t about forcing you — it’s about helping you succeed. At 62, I never dreamed I’d have a job I love. I just want someone else to feel like I do.”