I n Atlanta, the Georgia Resilience and Opportunity Fund (GRO) runs the In Her Hands program, offering young Black women monthly stipends averaging $850. This initiative forms part of a wider array of guaranteed income programs across the country, aiming to alleviate financial strain and meet basic needs.
Introduced in 2022, the program is extending payments to 650 women over two years. Its inception took place in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward, a community deeply intertwined with the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., who advocated for basic income support, as highlighted by the GRO Fund, Business Insider noted.
An initial evaluation of the program’s impact, conducted by a group of academic scholars, indicates that many participants have experienced a notable reduction in their debt burden, according to a report obtained by Capital & Main.
Around 45% of the program’s participants stated that they utilized the funds to settle outstanding bills. Close to 30% of surveyed participants mentioned establishing “rainy day” funds since enrolling, while 27% indicated that they managed to clear their debts. Around 16% of participants revealed that they were able to purchase healthier food for their families thanks to the initiative. The report also noted that 14% of women enrolled were able to improve their credit scores.