Just Income GNV

Just Income GNV is a guaranteed income pilot for those who were formerly incarcerated in order to help with successful reentry. It is a subbranch of Community Spring, a grassroots organization dedicated to economic justice in Gainesville. Kevin Scott, the director, and his team have created the largest guaranteed income pilot in the nation and had selected 115 participants who were formerly incarcerated to participate in receiving an income of $7,600 over the span of a year. This was created to give a leg up to those who may not have the resources available to them post-incarceration to help prevent recidivism and basic necessities. Many individuals are released with little to no money but by providing a guaranteed income an individual's attention may be focused on getting acclimated to life outside of bars instead of worrying about food, water, utilities, etc. 

I spent my Tuesday afternoons volunteering at Just Income with Kevin. There I spent time creating spreadsheets of information about grants I would research for Just Income. Since the pilot program is now in its second year, there is a need to apply for additional grants in order to keep up with the funding nonprofits often lack past their pilot year. I created a spreadsheet with timelines, LOI requirements, and fit for Just Income to apply for. Additionally, I am in the works of creating a demographic spreadsheet pertaining to the participants of the guaranteed income pilot, in order to observe trends among participants pertaining to age during incarceration, selection of a beneficiary, etc. 

Just Income is also creating an online reentry simulation game in order to provide a free, easily accessible website to convey the struggles and challenges that one will face when going through reentry. I was given the privilege to BETA test this game and provide suggestions to make it less confusing and more user-friendly. The grant money that I will be receiving from Path to Purpose will be given to Kevin and his team in order to continue with the advertising and expenses associated with publishing the game. Observing the community work that Kevin and his team have done in changing the lives of those who are often overlooked, has created genuine inspiration for me to replicate the dedication and hard work that they exert in my own field of social work one day.