Chief Val Demings campaign announced today she successfully completed the Minimum Wage Challenge put on by SEIU. The challenge lasts five days and participants are supposed to live off of $17 a day, or $85 a week.
Val Demings, candidate for Congressional District 10, rides public transportation as part of minimum wage challenge
Chief Demings took the challenge to shed light on the struggles facing working families who have to live on wages of $8.05/hr. Chief Demings is no stranger to this type of lifestyle, she grew up in a home where both of her parents worked low-paying jobs, her mother as a maid and her father a janitor, who struggled to take care of their seven children.
“Tens of thousands of workers here in Central Florida and beyond are struggling to live off of the minimum wage and I got to see that first hand through this challenge,” said Chief Demings, “It was quite the week. Starting off on Monday and having to make decisions that seem simple, but having to decide between a cup of coffee and a pack of gum. Going grocery shopping on Tuesday ,I will never forget the nervousness I felt standing at the register, hoping I would have enough money and that I wouldn’t have to put anything back.”
On Wednesday I rode the bus, I had to leave an hour and half before my appointment and stressed the entire way about whether I would make it on time. What I shall not forget was talking to the people who live this, and commute over 3 hours to get to work everyday.
I’m so glad I had the opportunity to do this challenge, and I’m reminded of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s question, “Where do we go from here?” What I can tell you is we have a lot of work left to do, and that starts with raising the minimum wage so working families don’t have to struggle for life’s basic necessities. I support a $15 minimum wage and will work hard to see that through in Congress.”
Chief Demings shared the challenge this week, day-by-day, with supporters on social media through video testimonials and pictures. She was able to finish the challenge successfully with a few (but not many) dollars left.
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Congratulations Chief and Sheriff Demings for Meeting the Challenge that We Face, Living from the Meager amounts of money that we have to learn to Budget with.
Congratulations Chief and Sheriff Demings for Meeting the Challenge that We Face, Living from the Meager amounts of money that we have to learn to Budget with.
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