Jalyn, a mother of two in Jackson, Miss., shares how support from the Magnolia Mother’s Trust helped her heal, set goals and envision a better future for her family.
A groundbreaking Ms. series, Front & Center first began as first-person accounts of Black mothers living in Jackson, Miss., receiving a guaranteed income from Springboard to Opportunities’ Magnolia Mother’s Trust (MMT). Moving into the fourth year and next phase of this series, the aim is to expand our focus beyond a single policy intervention to include a broader examination of systemic issues impacting Black women experiencing poverty. This means diving deeper into the interconnected challenges they face—including navigating the existing safety net; healthcare, childcare and elder care; and the importance of mental, physical and spiritual well-being. The first-person accounts in this series are available for reprint. Find additional guidelines at the end of this story.
My name is Jalyn, and I’m a 27-year-old mother of two amazing boys, Dylan and Dawson. We live here in Jackson, Mississippi. Dylan is 8, and he is all energy, my wild man! Dawson is 6 and my calm in the storm, with a contagious smile that can light up any room…