UpTogether

UpTogether is thankful for our members— real people willing to share their authentic experiences about living in financial hardship in communities across America. We’re also thankful for partners, donors, and supporters, like you, who fuel our ability to fight poverty through trusting and investing direct cash to individuals and families. Let’s continue to make an impact, together! Visit our YouTube channel to see why direct cash investments work: https://hubs.la/Q02ZKCKt0

Meet Theresa. The City of Detroit knows about this environmental justice seeker who isn’t afraid to call out city leaders, attend meetings and drive efforts to protect her community from the damages of air quality shortcuts. With support from an UpTogether fund, Theresa amplified her impact, using direct cash investments to fuel her community outreach efforts. “It helped me put gas in my car and buy me a little breakfast, because most days I didn’t eat trying to get food out to these seniors,” she said. Watch Theresa’s story in her own words exclusively on our YouTube Channel where she explains why she’s fighting to make Detroit’s air quality cleaner for all communities: https://hubs.la/Q02ZC3mh0

Our guaranteed income pilot in Cincinnati shows that direct cash can help families increase wages, reduce debt, and get more involved in their communities. “We’re not lazy families. We just need that leg up.” Ashlee Williams, pilot participant. Click here to learn more about the results of the UpTogether Cincinnati Fund: https://hubs.la/Q02ZBvVQ0

Meet Cara! She’s incredibly passionate about advocating for her Grand Rapids, Michigan community. Family activities often look like making and delivering educational kits to local connection programs in Michigan, or volunteering to clean up the Rogue River. “I try to get them to understand we have to be involved in being the difference we want to see, or it won’t happen,” Cara said. Unexpected circumstances caused Cara to lose quite a bit of her income, but the monthly cash investments she received last year from an UpTogether fund allowed her and her children to maintain. “I’m not able to save like I planned on it, but bills and rent are being paid and it provides a lot of security. That’s an amazing feeling,” she said. Cara is one of countless UpTogether members across the country showing initiative and making a difference while navigating life in financial hardship. Visit The Pulse to read Cara's story: https://hubs.la/Q02ZqY650

We're excited to announce promising results from the UpTogether Cincinnati Fund! $400 quarterly investments led to increased wages, more savings, and more community involvement. Thank you to our partners Greater Cincinnati Foundation, United Way of Greater Cincinnati, Google.org and Greenlight Foundation.

Not waiting for Congress to act: Flint is stepping up to tackle child poverty because investing in families during the earliest stages of life sets the foundation for a brighter future for everyone. "There will undoubtedly be critics, Espinoza said — people who believe parents will just use this money to buy drugs. “‘What did they do to earn it?’” she imagined them saying. “‘You’re just giving them free money, and they didn’t do anything to get it?’ Because they don’t understand. They don’t understand the barriers. They don’t understand that sometimes the choice isn’t always yours. Like, I’ve talked to moms who desperately want to go to work, and they want to support their family, but there’s no child care. And so they have no other choice.”

?? We’re thrilled to welcome Jay Chaudhary and Meridee Moore to UpTogether’s Board of Directors! They bring a wealth of experience and commitment to our mission of trusting and investing in families. Read more about their backgrounds here: https://lnkd.in/g3jb57B9

UpTogether's Elizabeth Lindsey, MPA and Ivanna Neri discussed the impact of direct cash on health outcomes in their presentation at LOUISIANA CENTER FOR HEALTH EQUITY's 2024 Health Summit: Equity, Opportunity, and Well-Being for All. Thank you for inviting us to participate! #LA40by2030

Terran was 1 of around 600 people selected for the Oakland Resilient Families Guaranteed Income Pilot. He admits that anxiety got the best of him when he first began to see the impact that direct cash investments made on his life. “I've been catching up on my bills and everything. My car note, my phone bill… I was able to move… [But] I kinda had it in my mind of ‘What’s gonna go wrong?’ said Terran. “So for the first year, I didn’t buy any furniture." Perhaps the part Terran appreciated most was not being told how he had to spend the monthly cash. It’s a core staple of the UpTogether Approach where members have autonomy, are trusted and can be the experts in their own lives. Visit The Pulse to read Terran's full story: https://hubs.la/Q02SPwtm0

Honoring all who served.