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Momentos: ELEVATE Concord, A Guaranteed Income Program Reflection
Guaranteed Income (GI) pilot programs traditionally provide unconditional and recurring cash payments intended to support the basic needs of the recipients.
In partnership with the City of Concord, Monument Impact launched the city’s first Guaranteed Income pilot, offering unrestricted monthly stipends of $500 to 120 families.
Guaranteed income pilots like ELEVATE Concord provide a foundation for families to build healthier lives. They empower families to set future goals, take control of their employment, improve mental health by reducing income volatility, and save for unexpected emergencies.
As we approached one year of monthly payments, we wanted to connect with ELEVATE Concord families to understand how this extra cash has impacted their daily lives. In the case of many of our participants, they “work, but we no longer work twice as hard. Even with an 8-hour daily job, the salary we earn is not enough here.”
Earlier this fall, we curated Momentos, a photo walk showcasing images taken by participants that highlight the achievements made possible by unrestricted cash. This collection offers a glimpse into the lives of families living below the annual median income, highlighting both their joys and struggles.
Interviews with Families
Click on the photos above to listen to individual stories.
“Estaba bonito el programa. Me gustó. Son recuerdos que son inolvidables. Jamas nunca ser lo mismo.”
It was a great program. I really liked it. Those are memories that will stay with me forever. It will never be the same again.
Photos by Adriana, Elena, Magali, Nerys and Rebeca
Money represents so much more than just cash; it embodies safety, time, and joy. Over four months, five families were given disposable film cameras to document their daily lives.
They received guiding questions like, “What do you do in the summertime? How do you play? What are your favorite foods? Who cooks meals in your home?” More importantly, participants were encouraged to capture the people, places, activities, and things that matter most to them.
“The program was the best thing that could have happened to us because maybe it’s the first time I’ve taken part in a program like this. It’s never happened to me.” – Nerys
