How do i manage?

Hello Jodi,

I am one of the youngest supervisors at my job.  I also happen to be a black female.  With this being said i am very cautious about what i do and how i present myself.  The team that im over preforms very well, all except one.  You guessed the only black woman on my team.  She also happens to be ten years my senior.  She is not computer literate, she cant spell (despite spell check) and she presents herself in an unprofessional manner, which in turn makes me look bad. 
Now on one hand as her supervisor, i want her to get it together immediately.  I cant believe she isnt improving despite multiple conversations about her preformance.  I nor the company have any more time to tolerate her incompitance, she is costing us all money and now I am being approached about her by my superiors.
On the other hand, sister girl is a single mother of two kids and struggeling to make ends meet.  I knwo shes not improving because she cant.  The software is too advance and due to previous drug use and lack of education its hard for her to catch up.  As a black woman i want to help her best i can but i dont know what to do.  I cant help her at work and i cant help her at home with the sofftware.  Ive tried to coach her about her attitude and apperance but she doesnt take it from a receptive stand point because of my age.
I dont know what to do.  By no means do i want to put my job in jeopardy because of her, but i dont want her to loose hers either, especially with two kids.

Trying to manage.

Hey Trying to Manage,

Ok so first lets evaluate whether or not she would risk her job to help you keep yours-
Ok, now that we see that she wouldnt the only thing you can do is soften the blow.  Its nobel that you wanna help a sista out but reality is reality.  if she is not willing to conform to the guidelines of her job description then she need to find another job.  Since you are the helpful person that you are, i would say talk to her one last time and explain to her that you are only trying to help her keep her job, if she still refuses then there is nothing you can do.  Look and see if there is a department that may hold less responsiblity for her and maybe see if she could get transfered to that department.  If not see if you can help her find another job and offer to be a reference for her.  She may have two kids but shes grown and need to take responsibility for her actions.  Also you have to look out for yourself, i dont think this lady is gonna let you move in wiht her if you get put out after you loose your job over her.

Let me know what happens,
Jodi~