set your rules, stand your ground.

Yes, I am a parent and concur with Fouz. 18 is out of your control. Lot's of 6 year olds in a bad predicament that could use some of your benevolence. Kudos to you CA for your generosity.

Prayers for you and your "daughter" and kudos for trying to help. I just did a quick search and there are hundreds of open jobs that require little to no experience on Craigslist in the greater McAllen valley area. Perhaps start by researching the local staffing companies and find one that will work with her. That might give her the option to move around a bit between different jobs until she finds a job that fits. Kids need to find something that resonates and its difficult for all kids, more so for those without guidance, because often they don't know where to start.

Besides unconditional love, I did my best to encourage my daughters to dream big. I also attempted to empower them to chase their dreams by understanding the secret of success.

Give her hope by letting her know that while she had no control over her past or the cards she was dealt, she has complete control over the moment. I truly believe the gift of life occurs in the moment and once we learn how to take control and harness the power of living life in the moment, we understand that our free will decisions we lead us to our destiny. It's a powerful teaching for those with little hope. It's perhaps the biggest gift my dad gave me and likely the best one I passed along to my daughters.

From a practical standpoint she obviously needs help and she needs to build a local support group. It's great if she can find a faith based group but if not, there are other ways for her to find help. Since we're in an election year, find out what political leanings she has and encourage her to go to work for whatever campaign resonates with her spirit. She might be able to get a paying job with a campaign that will surround her with people that may eventually become part of her support group.

Here are some job links in Craigslist for the greater McAllen area. If she's someplace else, then just have her do a similar search for that area.

Craigslist manufacturing gigs in the Valley
Craigslist General Labor in the Valley
Craigslist Retail-Wholesale in the Valley
Craigslist Marketing gigs in the valley

Prayers ~

Blue Moon

Probably not a military solution. They can fire a recruit these days, then there is the education issue. A few of the hopeless get turned around after a year or two in prison. Sounds like she is headed for an opportunity to try it that way. They don't fire you , you're there till they say you can leave and some make the best of it.

Her life story is already decided in the original post you said she lives with an abusive male that was so bad he caused her to have a miscarriage, she is already on SNAP, she has no work ethic, she is functionally illiterate, will soon be on Medicaid. She will stay on this pattern for a long time. Bottom for her is way further down than she is now. The old military canard of jail or military no longer works. It is true they have a program where they put you in school for one year until you get a GED, but does anyone really think the current military would take a person with a 6th grade education?

CA you must be thinking is she working me or is she really reaching out? Someone who won’t read a book for a reward is at a dead end and should give you an indication. Work on yourself and see how you can sever ties with feeling guilt or remorse. She will find her own way.

May God bless you and walk beside you as you walk this path in your journey.

This is your journey. This is your lesson. You give all the sad details of this unfortunate lady/child and her struggle. Her name is legion. Her story is legion. This situation is not about her, it is about you. The real question is why you?
Her story is going to play out the way it plays out. More than likely very badly and more than likely she will have kids who follow a similar path. Again, the real question is you and what you do.

You have been given this lesson. You will either learn your lesson and find your purpose, or you will not.

You have to decide if you wish to take on this life altering situation. As far as her, you will more than likely fail. You will more than likely see many more sad scenarios with her, many more horrible decisions. Will being a part of that help you find your purpose, will it help you learn your lesson of life? True enlightenment comes through suffering. Only you can decide if this is what you are to do. Only you can decide if the risk is what you are to do. You have to decide if you want to try to truly save a soul. That possibility does exist. You may be the one to save her. You also may fail in a manner that has forever consequences.

Some people are put in situations that cause them to fulfill a destiny that most only dream about. Most try and avoid those situations. Again, this lesson is for you. You can avoid it, you can refuse it, you can learn it. Either way, it is going to impact the rest of your journey.

I will pray that you find your answer. I will pray that you find your peace. I will pray for you to have the strength for whatever you decide.