You've really set this hypothetical person up in every way -- you're giving her car payments, student loans, a child still in diapers -- the only thing you didn't heap upon her is special needs twins. I've been poor and have known plenty of poor people; most of them have multiple problems that "hold them down", but pretty much no one has all these issues.
This hypothetical woman:
- went to college (maybe didn't graduate), yet she's working for near-minimum wage. Not realistic. If she was smart enough to get into college, she should have enough gumption to at least be a manager at a fast food place -- and that's going to pay more than she's earning now.
- is going to be qualified for some financial aid from the state -- medical, rent, food -- something.
- is young enough that she still has a baby in diapers, yet Dad is gone-gone-gone (and she isn't seeking child support through Social Services, nor -- if he's dead -- is she collecting Social Security). Even if he's not a pleasant person, this isn't realistic. At the worst, he might be in jail; that'd prevent him from working, yet disqualify her from death benefits for her child. Possible, not not likely.
- has
no family willing to help her,
nor is the child's father's family willing to help her. Not realistic.
If this hypothetical mom is good looking and is willing, she might benefit from the oldest profession. Or in all seriousness, she may want to start dating asap to see if she can find a partner to help her. Women gotta do what they gotta do, and sometimes that means using their physical appearance and body as a resource. Working with poor women completely changed how I viewed sex work and the people who do it, as well as the women who "marry up" for financial security.
Awful advice. Add the inevitable STD to this situation, and she'd actually lose money -- all while risking her safety. Trying to "marry up" sounds more realistic, but women who are trying to accomplish that usually come off as desperate (because they are), and they attract the wrong type of men -- again, more trouble. Could be another child whom she can't afford to support.
No, she's better off seeking to better herself and earn more income.
For example, you can become a CNA in a week, and they're hired everywhere -- home health care, nursing homes, hospitals. That job pays $10-12 (my just-graduated daughter did it during college, and they would've worked her 40 hours a week, if she'd been willing). If she did well at it at a hospital, they'd pay a portion of her education to move towards an RN degree; she wouldn't be able to go full-time, but she could earn an Associates in probably four years.
Another option: She could become a teacher assistant. It'd be predictable hours, would give her access to lower-cost day care, and she could add a summer job on top of it.
Does she have every option in the world? Of course not -- and she'll probably never become a millionaire, but she also doesn't have to stay in her current predicament.