Ten, former foster youth students from the greater Sacramento region who are current Sacramento State students will be participating in United Way’s newest program, the Collegiate Guaranteed Income Program, which gives each student $500 a month of guaranteed income for 12 months that began May 2.
The new program was announced at United Way’s United in Purpose Gala fundraiser on Saturday, April 20 to the surprise of the 10 students who were all in attendance. Take a look at how these students found out:
“Selecting Sacramento State as the pilot for this program was a natural choice, given the inspiring journey of Sac State president Dr. Luke Wood, from dealing with extreme life pressures as a foster youth to his recent appointment as the university’s ninth president. His story resonates deeply with the work United Way has been doing for decades,” said Dr. Dawnté Early, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “Earlier this year, Dr. Wood said his goal is for Sacramento State to have the largest enrollment of former foster youth in the country and be known for serving them. That commitment aligns with our longtime pledge to support foster youth in and out of the classroom. Together with Dr. Wood, United Way’s aim is to create an environment where these students can focus more on their studies and less on basic needs like housing, food and transportation.”
On Thursday, May 2, all of the 10 participants received their first round of payments as the program was launched at a press conference with Dr. Early and Dr. Wood.
This program is funded completely by our Women United donor group, who have supported foster youth initiatives for over two decades. The program will also be evaluated by Professor Ethan Evans and his team at Sacramento State, who have evaluated other Guaranteed Income programs United Way has run in Sacramento.
You can support this program through your donations by clicking here, or by becoming a Women United member.