Stories from participants

Storytellers are a diverse group of pilot participants who have volunteered to share their personal experiences in the program for a public audience. Spending data tells part of the story. But some of the most important stories are not in the numbers. Participant testimonies bring a diversity of lived experiences to the forefront of the conversation. The difficulties, challenges, and solutions they share help make sense of the data and are effective tools of narrative change.

Showing stories from

Alma

Alma

Alexandria, VA

October 10, 2023

Born in the US, Alma lived most of her childhood in Honduras until age 16.

Michael

Michael

Alexandria, VA

September 24, 2023

Michael is a friendly, gregarious and hardworking single father of two young children. An immigrant from Ethiopia, he speaks in a gentle tone, which accentuates the heartfelt words he uses to describe his gratitude for the City of Alexandria’s ARISE guaranteed income pilot program.

Crystal

Crystal

Atlanta, GA

September 26, 2022

Crystal has been in Atlanta for years and has a master’s in psychology. When she was first approached about the program she initially turned it down because of her pride, and as a social worker she figured she could find her own resources.

Deontrez

Deontrez

Atlanta, GA

September 26, 2022

Deontrez is a 23-year-old father of a 1-year-old daughter. When he first applied for the program, he had just finished college and didn’t like how things were going financially and needed a change.

Halimah

Halimah

Atlanta, GA

September 26, 2022

Halimah is a single mother to a teenage boy and a daughter. When she first signed up for the program, she was struggling to make ends meet.

Latrice

Latrice

Atlanta, GA

September 26, 2022

Latrice is a single mother of three daughters. When she first applied for the IMPACT program, it was in the middle of COVID and they were shutting things down at her job so she was already struggling with how bills would get paid.

Raya

Raya

Atlanta, GA

September 26, 2022

Raya is a single mother to one daughter and a lifelong Atlantan. When Raya applied for the IMPACT program, she was working but still struggling to keep up with her bills and had to borrow funds from family and friends.

Ariana

Ariana

Baltimore, MD

December 9, 2022

Ariana is a 23-year-old mother of a 1-year-old daughter.

Jewels

Jewels

Baltimore, MD

December 9, 2022

Jewels is a 21-year-old mother of two sons. When she started receiving guaranteed income payments, she planned to move with her two boys into a place of their own in East Baltimore.

Kayla

Kayla

Baltimore, MD

December 9, 2022

Kayla is a 23-year-old mother of a 1-year-old son. Receiving a guaranteed income allowed Kayla to find employment and housing, which has increased her financial stability.

Onesha

Onesha

Baltimore, MD

December 9, 2022

Onesha is a 21-year-old mother of a 2-year-old daughter. Before receiving a guaranteed income, Onesha was having trouble affording daycare, paying bills on time, and saving money.

Shakeema

Shakeema

Baltimore, MD

December 9, 2022

Shakeema is a 22-year-old single mother of a 7-year-old daughter.

Miyah

Miyah

Birmingham, AL

January 3, 2023

Miyah is a single mother of three. Her youngest child was born in August of 2022 and Miyah is currently balancing being a mother of an infant again, while still maintaining care for her two older children.

Isa

Isa

Cambridge, MA

December 14, 2022

Isa, a multi-racial single mom of a 14-year-old son, is an advocate and teacher who values equity, justice, and community.

Katie

Katie

Cambridge, MA

December 14, 2022

Katie, a single mother of a 6-year-boy, was born and raised in Cambridge, moved away for a couple of years, and moved back with her family once she had her son.

Torry

Torry

Durham, NC

September 26, 2022

Torry has been through tough times, in and out of jail, homeless, and even sleeping on benches at one point. The guaranteed income, with no strings attached, has completely changed his life. He says StepUp Durham has been a blessing.

Tydricka

Tydricka

Durham, NC

September 26, 2022

Tydricka is a mom with a full-time job as a peer support specialist. She was released from prison in 2019, and hopes a guaranteed income gives people like herself a nudge in the right direction.

Tyler

Tyler

Durham, NC

September 26, 2022

Tyler spent time in jail and prison on drug charges, and it was not always easy to readjust to society.

"T" (anonymous)

"T" (anonymous)

Gainesville, FL

September 26, 2022

T is a long-time resident of Alachua County, FL. An avid animal lover, they are also a proud parent of two sons - one in the military and the other at home with special needs.

Calvin

Calvin

Gainesville, FL

September 26, 2022

One of seven siblings, Calvin was born at Joe DiMaggio Hospital in Hollywood, FL. A high school graduate who went on to college, he is a renowned athlete and a military veteran.

Izzy

Izzy

Gainesville, FL

September 26, 2022

Originally from Upstate New York, Izzy is a longtime resident of Gainesville, FL. An accomplished musician, stylist, and athlete, Izzy is deeply rooted in the community.

Murray

Murray

Gainesville, FL

September 26, 2022

Murray is proud to have been born and raised in Gainesville, FL. After finishing high school, and struggling in a low-income environment, he had his first interaction with the justice system. The burden of a criminal record made it harder to make ends meet.

Jeff

Jeff

Los Angeles County, CA

December 20, 2022

Jeff is a 34 year old male living in North Hollywood. Within a short time, Jeff lost his job, his mom got sick, he went through a divorce, and the pandemic hit.

Kipp

Kipp

Los Angeles County, CA

December 19, 2023

Kipp is a 65-year-old female living in Long Beach. She had been a touring musician for almost twenty years when she became ill and started teaching guitar lessons.

Patric

Patric

Los Angeles County, CA

December 19, 2023

Patric is a 31 year old male living in Inglewood. He had just left working for the post office and was trying to figure things out.

Antonio

Antonio

Los Angeles, CA

March 6, 2023

Antonio and his wife fell behind on bills when the fabric store Antonio worked at closed and they both contracted COVID.

Ashley

Ashley

Los Angeles, CA

March 6, 2023

Before the pandemic, Ashley worked in marketing and attended cosmetology school, managing flexible hours so that she could care for her son as a single mother.

Micaela

Micaela

Los Angeles, CA

September 26, 2022

Micaela is a single mother from Jalisco, Mexico who has been living in South Central Los Angeles for 20 years where she has two sons in college.

Twonna

Twonna

Los Angeles, CA

September 26, 2022

Twonna is a single mother with a two-year old son.

Davon

Davon

Louisville, KY

September 26, 2022

Davon is a 25-year-old resident of the Russell neighborhood. He is a father, works with children with behavioral health issues, and is an entrepreneur who cuts hair and gets paid for the content he creates on TikTok.

Emari

Emari

Louisville, KY

December 9, 2022

Emari is a 19-year-old from the Russell neighborhood of Louisville who lives with his parents and is training to be a professional boxer.

Tashonna

Tashonna

Louisville, KY

December 9, 2022

Tashonna is a 24-year-old student at the University of Louisville who lives in the Smoketown neighborhood. She is studying psychology because she said she wants to help people, and she has experienced her own mental health challenges.

Mai Kaw

Mai Kaw

Madison, WI

March 29, 2023

Mai Kaw is one of the most vibrant and energetic people you’ll ever meet. She is a mom to a 7-month old girl, and lives with her partner in Madison. Her parents immigrated to Wisconsin from Laos in the mid-1980’s, and Mai Kaw was born and raised in Milwaukee, before moving to Madison as a young professional.

Marisol

Marisol

Madison, WI

September 26, 2022

Marisol is originally from Puerto Rico and loves her adopted home of Madison, where she has lived since 1999. She has 5 kids, with the youngest still living at home.

Regina

Regina

Madison, WI

September 26, 2022

Regina is a passionate mom of three kids, ages 4, 8, and 10. Like most parents, she knows the challenge of needing to work to support your family but having most of those earnings go towards childcare.

Vanessa

Vanessa

Madison, WI

March 29, 2023

Vanessa is a 28-year-old single mom of two energetic kids, who are one and four years old. Originally from Oshkosh, she has lived in Madison with her family for six years.

M.B.

M.B.

Mount Vernon, NY

March 16, 2024

A resident of Mount Vernon for 7 years, M.B. is a mother of four and grandmother to a grandson who adores her children.

M.B.

M.B.

Mount Vernon, NY

March 16, 2024

A resident of Mount Vernon for 7 years, M.B. is a mother of four and grandmother to a grandson who adores her children.

Randy C.

Randy C.

Mount Vernon, NY

March 16, 2024

Randy is a proud father of four children — ages, 11, 14, 15 and 17 — who has lived in Mount Vernon for over 10 years.

Gladys

Gladys

Mountain View, CA

September 25, 2023

Gladys lives in Mountain View, CA with her two daughters. She enjoys discovering new hiking trails with them and experiencing new places together for the first time.

Katherine

Katherine

Mountain View, CA

March 25, 2024

Katherine lives in Mountain View with her husband, son, and newborn daughter.

“A”

“A”

Mountain View, CA

June 23, 2023

“A”, one of six family members, was deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“L”

“L”

Mountain View, CA

June 23, 2023

“L” is a young mom who sees guaranteed basic income as a blessing.

“T”

“T”

Mountain View, CA

June 23, 2023

"T", a widow with her two teenage children, moved to Mountain View in 2021 to stay with her sister after she lost her husband to COVID-19 complications.

Anonymous

Anonymous

New Orleans, LA

September 26, 2022

Anonymous is the middle child of seven and is originally from Harvey, Louisiana. She is a part-time student and hoping to use guaranteed income payments to help graduate with a funeral service degree.

Laurin

Laurin

New Orleans, LA

September 26, 2022

Laurin is a 22-year-old resident and program participant who lives in New Orleans East with her 10-month old child. She hopes to use the payments to help pay for cosmetology school.

Symphony

Symphony

New Orleans, LA

September 26, 2022

In addition to buying essentials for her family, being a part of the program has helped Symphony connect with other great resources.

Kaleb C. (New Orleans, LA)

Kaleb C. (New Orleans, LA)

New Orleans, LA & Indianapolis, IN

June 29, 2023

Kaleb is a dedicated 10th grade student at Rooted School New Orleans who is interested in Astrophysics.

Christina

Christina

New York City, NY

September 26, 2022

Christina is a single mother of a baby boy and an 11-year-old son who has autism. She is about to begin classes to become a Certified Nursing Assistant with the dream of becoming a Registered Nurse.

Lisa

Lisa

New York City, NY

September 26, 2022

Lisa has a two-month-old daughter who dealt with complications during labor and delivery. She has used The Bridge Project to cover the transportation to get her baby to her doctor’s appointments.

Lucy

Lucy

New York City, NY

September 26, 2022

Lucy is the mother of a one-year-old daughter and is expecting a second baby in October 2022. She has not worked since the pandemic began, out of concern for her pregnancy when she had to leave her 60-70 hour per week job as a manager.

Susan

Susan

New York City, NY

September 26, 2022

Susan is the mother of a 3-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter. She is originally from Lagos, Nigeria, where she obtained her master’s degree before moving to New York City.

Tynisha

Tynisha

New York City, NY

September 26, 2022

Tynisha is a student and the mother of an infant son. Prior to the pandemic, she worked with autistic children. She has utilized public benefits programs in the past, but found them time-consuming and difficult.

Shamonique

Shamonique

Newark, NJ

September 26, 2022

Shamonique is a 33-year-old mother, mentor, education advocate and a community organizer. Prior to the pandemic, she was diagnosed with a seizure disorder and early multiple sclerosis.

Alisha

Alisha

Oakland, CA

September 26, 2022

Alisha is an Oakland native who lives in Deep East Oakland where she raises her 8-year-old grandson, whom she legally adopted when he was eight months old.

Imani

Imani

Oakland, CA

September 26, 2022

Imani is a single mother who worked as a desk clerk and lives in a family shelter. She uses her guaranteed income funds to get her 5-year-old son to and from school, while also keeping food on their plates.

Karina

Karina

Oakland, CA

September 26, 2022

Karina is an Oakland mom of three who moved to the city from Honduras 13 years ago.

Terran

Terran

Oakland, CA

September 26, 2022

Karina is an Oakland mom of three who moved to the city from Honduras 13 years ago.

Tiffany

Tiffany

Oakland, CA

September 26, 2022

Tiffany is a single mom of five children living in Oakland. She is a passionate advocate for improving childhood education.

Cynthia

Cynthia

Paterson, NJ

September 26, 2022

Cynthia is a senior citizen in Paterson.

Brandi

Brandi

Providence, RI

September 26, 2022

Brandi is a mother living in Providence who has struggled with homelessness for around 30 years. Most recently, Brandi was living in a temporary shelter when she finally was approved for a section 8 voucher.

Lititia

Lititia

Providence, RI

September 26, 2022

“This program has helped me in my family and in so many ways. I finally felt like someone cared. I have a steady income because of this pilot program and I want to say thank you to everyone who is helping those of us in poverty, helping us to get back on track and let us know there are people that still care. I would like to see this program for each and every Rhode Islander, and if they can take it out around the world I would like for everyone to get a chance at this program. It has helped my family put food on the table and gas in my vehicle.”

Anonymous

Anonymous

Richmond, VA

June 28, 2023

This Richmond Resilience Initiative (RRI) participant is a single parent of one child.

Anonymous

Anonymous

Richmond, VA

June 28, 2023

This Richmond Resilience Initiative (RRI) participant is a parent in a household of five who enjoys recreational activities and supporting youth programming in his community.

Anonymous

Anonymous

Richmond, VA

June 28, 2023

This Richmond Resilience Initiative (RRI) participant is a parent in a household of three.

Anonymous

Anonymous

Richmond, VA

June 28, 2023

This Richmond Resilience Initiative (RRI) participant is a parent in a household of five.

Kelvin

Kelvin

San Diego, CA

September 26, 2022

Kelvin is a father of three beautiful daughters, ages 15 ,13, and 2. He lives in Encanto, a San Diego community that has faced systemic disinvestment.

Raquel

Raquel

Santa Fe, NM

September 26, 2022

Raquel is a single parent of a young son. She is working towards an associate degree in criminal justice at Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) and has been a part of the Santa Fe LEAP since September 2021.

Aimee

Aimee

Shreveport, LA

September 26, 2022

Aimee is a single mother of two children and works at a pediatric clinic.

Lakendra

Lakendra

Shreveport, LA

September 26, 2022

Lakendra is a single mother of three school age children.

Renodia

Renodia

Shreveport, LA

September 26, 2022

Renodia is a single mother of a three-year-old and aspiring college student who has used the funds in part to pay off debts and increase her financial literacy.

Samantha & Max

Samantha & Max

St. Paul, MN (PPP)

September 26, 2022

Samantha and Max are a married couple with four children. During the pandemic, Max lost his income and medical bills were piling up for their infant daughter born with a heart condition.

Briauna

Briauna

St. Paul, MN (Springboard)

September 26, 2022

Artist Briauna created a coloring book to commemorate Saint Paul’s guaranteed income pilot that includes illustrations, self-care suggestions and a prosperity word find.

DejaJoelle

DejaJoelle

St. Paul, MN (Springboard)

September 26, 2022

DejaJoelle is a healing artist and cultural healing curator who was born and raised in the Rondo neighborhood of Saint Paul.

Kashimana

Kashimana

St. Paul, MN (Springboard)

September 26, 2022

Originally from Nigeria, musician Kashimana created an album inspired by the city’s guaranteed income pilot.

Katey

Katey

St. Paul, MN (Springboard)

September 26, 2022

Katey is a storyteller who created a physical postcard to be distributed around Saint Paul that featured a QR code linking to interviews with guaranteed income recipients.

Anonymous

Anonymous

Tacoma, WA

September 26, 2022

This participant — a parent to two middle and one high school aged children — feels the mental relief of receiving a guaranteed income.

Geno

Geno

Tacoma, WA

September 26, 2022

Geno is a single father in Tacoma raising three boys. He works as a technology consultant for a small company and sustains his household paycheck-to-paycheck.

Monica

Monica

Tacoma, WA

September 26, 2022

Monica and her 16-year-old daughter are relatively new to Tacoma. They moved to the Pacific Northwest after incurring loss, violence, and financial uncertainty while living in the South.

Stephanie

Stephanie

Tacoma, WA

September 26, 2022

Stephanie is a single mother in Tacoma, recently a grandmother, and a survivor of an unsafe relationship.

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