Today marks many firsts, with the 110 UpLift participants receiving their first $500 monthly income payment! This first payment officially kicks off two years of payments and a three-year community learning opportunity, dedicated to providing Central Iowa with critical data-informed discussions focused on reducing poverty and improving well-being.
The UpLift team would like to express a sincere thank you to the over 6,000 applicants who applied to be part of this opportunity. It is clear Central Iowans are dedicated to using their voice and experience to find innovative strategies to help our community thrive.
This true collaboration would not have been possible without the support and expertise of over 52 community partners and 11 funding entities. Thank you to our partners for spreading the word about UpLift and ensuring many eligible Iowans had the opportunity to be considered for the study. Your support and outreach is evident in our first publication, Meet the Participants, where we highlight how UpLift participants represent the diversity of the tri-county area.
Our gratitude continues with a thank you to our randomly selected participants. Sharing your life experiences with our research team and the community is a courageous action. Your voice brings to light not only your family’s unique needs, but the struggles and achievements of your neighbors. While we know the need for flexible income assistance goes beyond 110 families, the opportunity to explore basic income in Iowa is the first step toward informing sustainable solutions for financial stability in our community.
We are excited to continue sharing information about the Central Iowa pilot and to host community conversations on basic income and related issues in our community. If not already, be sure to follow along by subscribing to our newsletter and sharing with your colleagues and friends.
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