Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration Extended to January 2021
Nation's first mayor-led guaranteed income initiative secures funding for six additional months of a monthly guaranteed income of $500 to selected recipients
STOCKTON, Calif., May 28, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Mayor Michael Tubbs today announced the extension of Stockton's Economic Empowerment Demonstration (SEED), the nation's first mayor-led guaranteed income initiative. In February 2019, SEED, a collaboration between the Office of Mayor Michael Tubbs, the Reinvent Stockton Foundation, the Economic Security Project, and the residents of Stockton, California, began giving 125 Stocktonians a guaranteed income of $500/month for 18 months. A result of a generous donation made by philanthropist Carol Tonan, the demonstration has now been extended to 24 months, with the final disbursement scheduled for January 2021.
"Everyone deserves an income floor. That's why I am thrilled to extend SEED for an additional six months, allowing our recipients to weather this pandemic and keep themselves and their families safe and healthy. Nationally, we're seeing people turn to Stockton's project as a model for how to respond to economic disruptions and we're proud to continue to lead the nation in a conversation about what it means to care for one another, especially in times of crisis," said Mayor Tubbs.
"Receiving the guaranteed income each month allows me to spend money on essentials, like my medication, car payments and food for my family," said Lorrine, SEED recipient. "I felt extremely relieved when I found out about the extension, it made me feel like everything is going to be okay."
Lorrine and the 124 other recipients learned of the extension on May 27th, when Sukhi Samra, Director of SEED, reached out via text, phone, and video call to share the news. The reaction was overwhelmingly positive, as many recipients expressed gratitude and comfort knowing that they will continue to receive the $500 until January.
About SEED
The Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration (SEED) is the nation's first mayor-led guaranteed income initiative. A collaboration between the office of Mayor Michael Tubbs, the Reinvent Stockton Foundation, the Economic Security Project, and the residents of Stockton, California, SEED is born out of the simple belief that the best investments we can make are in our people. In February 2019, SEED began giving 125 Stocktonians a guaranteed income of $500/month.This income is unconditional, meaning there are no strings attached and no work requirements.
SEED research is led by Dr. Stacia Martin-West, University of Tennessee, and Dr. Amy Castro-Baker, University of Pennsylvania, with funding from the Evidence for Action program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The goal of the SEED research is to determine if guaranteed income can reduce stress and thereby unleash potential and opportunity.
To learn more visit https://www.stocktondemonstration.org/
SEED Press Contact:
Martha Shaughnessy
[email protected]
415-987-0285
SOURCE SEED
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