My husband and I both worked full-time until 2004, when my youngest child was nine months old and I became a part-time worker. Our combined income was barely enough to cover our bills and a friend suggested I look into the WIC program.

I would not have been able to afford preschool for my children. My husband works full-time and at the time, I worked part-time (I am now full-time). I will forever be grateful that all three of my kids benefited from Head Start.

Being a single mom held its fair share of challenges. But if you add poverty to the mix, you have a recipe for low self-esteem. Government programs kept me afloat. I received welfare and the children were enrolled in Head Start. These programs were lifelines.

I truly believe that programs like Head Start and housing assistance can equip individuals and families with the education and resources that they need to become self-sufficient. I am a living testament to the positive impact of these programs.

My name is Adam, I work as a cook in Denver, Colorado, at a cafe. It's a coffee shop with a full kitchen, full menu. I don't receive paid sick days, which is unfortunate for times like last week.

This policy helps to ensure that when they are working, they are well and they're healthy, they're able to handle all our customer requests, and the're able to present themselves and my business in the best possible light while providing great customer service.

Hi, my name is Devon, I live in Denver, Colorado. I am a social worker and I work as a service provider at a company that works with low-income families, and I do not receive adequate paid sick days where I work.

Good day, my name is Brian Freeman, I live in Denver, Colorado, and I am the owner and president of an organic produce distribution company. I believe in paid sick days for my employees. As an employer, I quickly realized that our employees have very different needs outside of the workplace.

Hi, my name is Paul, and I live in Denver, Colorado, where I own a record store. Paid sick leave is part of my business philosophy. It's hard to imagine a more natural or productive practice than offering your employees sick leave.

I contracted pink eye (conjunctivitis) overnight, which is highly contagious. I called everyone to try to switch my shift, but there was nobody who could cover for me that day. I called my manager and she told me there was nothing she could do, that I had to come in to work.