Participants: Better Life needs teeth.

Byline: Brad Petrishen

WORCESTER -- Gloria Piracci, Anna Burzenski and Aurea Salas aren't experts on public policy or federal regulations.

They aren't involved in the struggle between the Worcester Housing Authority and the federal government regarding A Better Life.

But they have all counted themselves program participants, and say they're convinced an eviction clause is a necessary component.

"A little work never hurt anyone,'' said Ms. Piracci, who recently graduated from the program and moved out of public housing.

The three women are all admittedly fans of the WHA -- they all have full-time jobs in the admissions office -- but say they wouldn't be where they are if it weren't for A Better Life.

Ms. Burzenski and Ms. Salas both were able to jump the WHA's lengthy waiting list because they agreed to participate in the program or face eviction.

They said without the eviction provision, many people wouldn't try as hard to succeed.

"If you come from a situation where you've never had that push before, if your parents have never had that push, how do you even know to dream big enough, to want something more?'' asked Ms. Burzenski.

"It's to give them that kick in the rear end they kind of need to better themselves,'' said Ms. Salas.

Ms. Burzenski said she personally had "no idea'' if she would be able to stay in the program. But with two disabled daughters to provide for, the 48-year-old said she couldn't afford to wait the eight to 10 years she was told it would take on the regular waiting list.

"I just thought, 'I'm never going to make it (that long). I have to try.' ''

"Sometimes the walls ... (people) build up are so big, they don't even want the help that is right in front of them,'' said Ms. Burzenski. "(The WHA) ... is not doing this to be mean. They're trying to help someone who maybe doesn't know or understand, or have a vision for, 'How do I help myself?' ''

Ms. Salas, 22, said the classes she's taken -- financial literacy, computer classes, parenting classes -- have her on the path to get out of public housing. She said she wants to own a house one day like her parents.

Cecilio Gonzalez, vice chairman of the WHA Board of Commissioners and a 16-year WHA resident, said he and other tenant leaders support the program as constructed.

"We're 100 percent behind (it),'' he said. "Some people have some negative statements, but I explain to them the positive way to see it.''

A small sampling of residents quizzed at random at Great Brook Valley Friday were mostly unaware of the program, which enrolls 105 of the 3,000 or so families in the city's public housing.

"I saw a flier about it when I moved in, but no one has tried to recruit me,'' said one resident who declined to be named.

Allan Nieves said his girlfriend lives in the Valley and participates in the program. He applauded its escrow program, which places additional rent participants pay as a result of their increased income in an escrow account for retrieval upon graduation.

"It's a good program,'' said Mr. Nieves.

Contact Brad Petrishen at brad.petrishen@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @BPetrishenTG.