After her divorce in 1984, Joanne Brooking discovered that her real problems were just starting. For a newly single mother with three young sons, finding and keeping a full-time job was a challenge in Montpelier, Vermont, a state where unemployment hovers around 4.8%. As it turned out, too much of a challenge. Brooking, 43, has been on and off welfare ever since. There wasn't much incentive to work anyway. When stints as a substitute teacher and an Amway saleswoman brought in some money, her welfare check was cut. Her best hope for the future might be the sociology degree that she...
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