A Day at the Fare

"'A Day at the Fare' is a wonderful idea carried out very, very well." --Nikki Giovanni, poet, author, activist, and educator

Pamela M. Covington's, A Day at the Fare: One Woman’s Welfare Passage, is a first-hand account of how, through no fault of her own, she once plummeted from a cozy, middle-class lifestyle into one of ugly, deep poverty—and painstakingly struggled until she could make a way out. Today her work as a speaker, anti-poverty advocate, and women's transition coach is based on her lived experiences.

In this compelling memoir, Covington delves deep into the human spirit's capacity to endure and persevere, even in the face of daunting challenges. Through vivid storytelling and personal reflection, she takes readers on a remarkable journey—one that traverses the stark contrast between privilege and poverty, and the indomitable will to survive.

“I wondered how she had the strength to soldier on,” writes Amazon Reader, Sharon Goldstein.

A Day at the Fare has been written to inspire others facing adversity to press on with resourcefulness and determination, and to provide an accurate portrayal of what it's like to live on welfare. Pamela’s book, based on her actual public assistance records, shows the importance of preserving and improving the United States’ anti-poverty programs.

Covington’s narrative serves as a poignant reminder that none of us are immune to life's unexpected twists and turns. Her story transcends personal experience to shed light on broader societal issues, igniting important conversations about the need for educational aid, affordable housing, nutritional assistance, child care, and access to healthcare.

Through vivid storytelling and personal reflection, she takes us on a remarkable journey. As an alumna of The Moth, an organization dedicated to the art of storytelling, Covington's storytelling prowess shines throughout this memoir, captivating readers with her evocative prose and unflinching honesty.

“It’s so real you can feel it,” says Shawn Crum, Amazon Reader

'A Day at the Fare' is not just a memoir; it's a call to action. It challenges us to reevaluate our understanding of adversity, compassion, and the importance of supporting anti-poverty programs. It's a book that will resonate with readers from all walks of life and inspire conversations about the universal themes of resilience and courage.

Amazon Reader, Nancy Taylor writes, “It will make you cry and smile and leave you with hope.”

During Pamela’s encounter with hardship she learned a number of transformational life lessons, many of which she takes to the stage in the form of keynote speeches, storytelling performances, and informational presentations. As a transition coach, she helps women recover from unplanned major life transitions so they can move towards living happier, more fulfilling lives.

Covington has earned masters degrees in Management and in Human Resources Management and a bachelors degree in Communications.

Learn more: www.pamelamcovington.com

You can also connect on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

FROM THE COVER:

Imagine.

You're living a good life in a grand old house with your family, spending your summer looking out from your veranda onto a picturesque park and enjoying the scent of flowers in the air--until fall arrives and you're beholding a multi-colored canopy of foliage.

But by winter you're stealing toilet tissue from a restaurant restroom and wondering what you're going to do with your first welfare check that won't even pay the rent for the ghetto apartment you and your children are now calling home.

The reality is we're all only living one or two misfortunes away from losing the people or things we're depending upon and, if and when that happens, you could easily find yourself enduring A Day at the Fare.

Pamela M. Covington is a native of Pittsburgh, and a former freelance writer, newspaper reporter and classroom training instructor. Prior to that she was a welfare recipient. Today she serves as a speaker, an author, and serves as both a poverty and literacy advocate. She has earned two MS degrees from Troy University: in Management and Human Resources Management, a BA in Communications from the University of North Florida and two associate’s degrees from Florida State College at Jacksonville. As a speaker Covington shares her poverty story along with personal practical strategies to encourage others to achieve their greater potential, rather than to adopt a sense of futility, even in the most troubled of times. When writing she draws upon life experiences as a way to inspire others. As an advocate she provides a voice of experience to put a face on poverty-related issues. She also serves as a literacy advocate conducting presentations in support of family literacy and reading to elementary students in public schools. In an effort to ensure she makes time for leisure, Covington takes road trips, walks beaches, spins copious amounts of music, enjoys learning about various cultures, attends theater performances and collects books. Lots of books. She resides in Virginia. Visit Covington's website: http://www.pamelamcovington.com