TEMPE, AZ — Nearly 70 families at a Tempe elementary school will receive $200 per month for three years as part of a pilot project aimed at improving student outcomes.
The Tempe Community Action Agency is leading what’s called the Puente Project, a universal basic income initiative. CEO Phillip Scharf told ABC15 an anonymous donor wanted to work with them in the project, hoping to see if educational outcomes improve if the families are getting additional help each month.
“It could mean a healthy breakfast every single day of the week for that kid. That $200 a month could cover an entire months-worth of healthy breakfast,” Scharf continued. “As a really fine example, if you start your day our with a full belly, you’re going to have a better opportunity to learn throughout the day.”…