Jewish Family Service of San Diego reported this week that through their first-of-its-kind guaranteed income program and two similar initiatives, they have helped 2,800 of the most vulnerable households in the county.
As of August 2024, the pilot income program along with the Family Income for Empowerment and Recovery Action Fund for Tomorrow programs, have been able to provide $11.7 million overall to families in need.
Two years ago, JFS launched the San Diego for Every Child Guaranteed Income Pilot program to provide direct support to families financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The nonprofit targeted four San Diego zip codes with the highest rates of childhood poverty, providing $500 per month to 150 families with children under 12 years old.
These high-need areas included Paradise Hills, Encanto, National City and San Ysidro. At least half of the participants’ median annual income was found to be below the federal poverty level as well as below 30% of San Diego region’s median income, which is considered extremely low income.
According to JFS, at the end of the pilot program families reported a 75% increase in life satisfaction and a 51% increase in their outlook on the future.
All of the programs aim to help different demographic groups address the causes of poverty and socioeconomic disparities.
Through the Recovery Action Fund, families with children under 18 years of age and older adults at risk of homelessness were prioritized. Up to 2,243 individuals have been helped during the 2023-2024 period. Participants were provided a one-time cash distribution in the amount of $4,000 to assist in housing, debt and other basic needs.
Under the Family Income for Empowerment program, families with children under 18 who were referred by the county Child and Family Well-being Department were chosen. The goal of this program was to reduce child welfare services involvement and study the impact of providing unconditional cash support to families on foster care outcomes. 408 families were given monthly payments of $500 for 24 months.
Following these successes, JFS has announced the rollout of a new program, the Black Women’s Resilience Project. Through a partnership with Café X: By Any Beans Necessary, a Black woman-owned business, the nonprofit is developing ways to support Black women caregivers and their families by pairing guaranteed income with a network of supportive services.
The program will provide $1,000 in monthly cash support alongside curated professional and nonprofit services to help households. The services will provide support in community building, economic mobility, health and civic engagement.
This program is still in the planning phase with San Diego State University’s Center for Regional Sustainability SAGE Project as a key partner.
This Black Women’s Resilience Project is currently fundraising. To make a gift in support of these efforts, contact Josh Lipsky, senior director of development at JoshL@jfssd.org or (858) 637-3034.