The Washington Post recently reported that someone making minimum wage would be unable to afford a two-bedroom apartment anywhere in the U.S. This is shocking news for those who desire to leave their parents home or starting over again after a job loss. The report suggests that one must earn $17.90 an hour and work at least forty hours per week to afford a modest one-bedroom apartment. Or $22.10 for a two-bedroom apartment. This is difficult news for many who desire to live on their own with a family to support, not to mention other necessities such as health insurance, life insurance, car insurance or saving for emergencies. Making minimum wage used to considered a livable wage, but that is no longer the case and is a red flag to those who must improve their earning power to live well.
Rev. Dr. Donna Taylor is the Pastor of Andrew Chapel, United Methodist Church on the Northern Neck in Montross, VA. Rev. Dr. Taylor promotes best practices for financial literacy and financial empowerment in the church and leads workshops throughout Northern Virginia. Currently, she serves as the Chair of the District Finance Committee. In May 2015, Rev. Dr. Taylor received her Doctor of Ministry from Virginia University of Lynchburg in Lynchburg, VA. Rev. Dr. Donna Taylor is married to Dr. David Taylor, who is also the Director of our church-based free clinic. They have two adult children and three grandchildren. In her leisure time, Rev. Dr. Taylor enjoys traveling, jogging, weightlifting, swimming, yoga, and interior decorating. In May 2015, Rev. Dr. Taylor received her Doctor of Ministry from Virginia University of Lynchburg in Lynchburg, Virginia. Rev. Dr. Taylor was born and raised in New York City and recently discovered her ancestral roots in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. Rev. Dr. Donna Taylor is married to David Taylor and they have a son and a daughter. Their daughter is a educator and son is an Active-Duty Senior Seaman in the Navy married with three children. In her leisure time, she enjoys traveling, reading, swimming, writing poetry, crocheting and spending time with her family.