We are honored to share that we were one of 40 recipients chosen to receive part of a $10 million grant from the Greater Washington Community Foundation! This focus from The Health Equity Fund aims to foster economic mobility in DC. The Social Justice School will receive $400,000 over the next two years to support our work on our Guaranteed, Together program!
This past summer, the Social Justice School partnered with Mother's Outreach Network (MON) to launch Washington, DC's first guaranteed income program. Our three-month pilot of Guaranteed, Together included both direct cash benefits ($800/a month) and legal education services to 15 households.
We are still reviewing the data and feedback gathered, but we are proud to share that we know it had a huge impact on students and parents. For example, take this quote from a pilot participant:
“Now I have money to spend on myself, on my children. It was a breath of fresh air. Like the bills are paid, everything’s handled. The pilot is very, very good, especially for single parents who are trying to get themselves back on track or if they already are with track, they can do more with their lives and with their families as well.” - A parent of a SJS Scholar-Activist who participated in the Guaranteed, Together pilot program
The Health Equity Fund was created to improve the health outcomes and health equity of DC residents. The Foundation wrote in their press release, "Given that 80 percent of DC’s health outcomes are driven by social, economic, and other factors, compared to just 20 percent by clinical care, the Health Equity Fund adopts an economic mobility frame to address the root causes of health disparities in the District."
“We believe that achieving health equity requires more than improving individual health outcomes and expanding access to services. We must disrupt the societal factors shaped by centuries of laws, public policies, and practices that have worked together to produce the disparate outcomes we see today.” - Tonia Wellons, President & CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation
Thank you, Greater Washington Community Foundation! We are so grateful for your support and belief in our work. This grant will allow SJS to expand the program and support more families.
Congratulations to all of the other fund partners -- we are honored to be in community with you as we work with and for the present and future of DC!
Read more in the Foundation's press release here.
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