Really? Is $12/hr even close to a living wage for a family?

Just had a really promising interview last week. But I will have to bow out of the race because the best salary they can offer is $12/hr...and I don't think there's any chance for raises or advancement either...(small town news gig, full time and evenings)

While cost of living is better in the valley compared to where I am now, it would be a commute over a mountain pass for at least a month till I could get moved (if not longer). That also puts wear & tear on my only car that has 198K miles and may not survive the month of hard driving. Not to mention it would also be a move across state lines, and my healthcare is not something I can lose. (Finally got my medi-Cal worked out and started healing after a horrible crisis with meds last two months, can't take the chance of any hiccups there) Even when the job's benefits kick in, I don't think I could afford the deduction from the paycheck...AND $12/hr seems to put you out of eligibility for most assistance - lower utilities, childcare, state healthcare, etc. Not to mention I am a single parent of tweens, and the school transition would be compounded by the need for (immediate) summer 'daycare' @ $23 per day per child at the rec center...

So what would a living wage be? Is it even possible that I can ever make that much working for 'the man'...?

I went back to school to finish my degree because I thought it would make the job/career opportunities better. I guess my best bet is to either go into teaching or find a few good gigs freelancing that I can get by with (also have other self publishing options). And after the latest bout with this auto-immune illness and seeing what happens when I can't get meds...I may just have to suck it up and apply for disability because the truth is that 40 hours a week at anything right now would most likely put me in the hospital.
Not quite sure where I am going with my rant...just needed to vent i guess. I know the job logistics for me go far deeper than just the salary. i guess I just thought that somehow getting a good job would make things better...