Thrive Prince George’s

Thrive Prince George’s is a two-year, $4 million guaranteed-income pilot that seeks to provide greater economic stability and mobility for families in Prince George’s County.

The program, the first of its kind in the county, provides monthly payments of $800 to 50 youth (age 18-24) who have aged out of foster care and 125+ seniors (age 60+) for a 24-month period with no strings attached and no requirements tied to employment.

Thrive Prince George’s is funded using both public and private philanthropic resources from the Greater Washington Community Foundation, Prince George’s County Executive and Council, and the Meyer Foundation.

The Community Foundation will administer the Thrive Prince George’s pilot program in partnership with several nonprofit organizations, including:

• Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Prince George’s – implementation partner for Youth who have aged Out of Foster Care

• United Communities Against Poverty (UCAP)- implementation partner for Seniors

• Prince George’s Changemakers – Community Engagement/Advocacy

Studies have shown that modest guaranteed basic income pilots can decrease poverty by as much as 40%. Over 100 Guaranteed Income pilots are currently operating or have been implemented across the country and around the region – including in Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, DC, and Montgomery County. Thus far, these pilots have proven that guaranteed income is one of the most promising approaches to increasing financial stability. The positive impact of guaranteed income has been studied for decades, with evidence indicating that monthly cash payments can reduce income volatility and support recipients in attaining full-time employment, greater housing stability, improved health outcomes, and more.

The purpose of guaranteed income programs is to help lift more families out of poverty by increasing their financial stability and helping to create more pathways to greater economic opportunity. These programs are designed to put unconditional cash directly in the hands of individuals and families that need it most, allowing them to make choices about how to improve their economic position and what they need to prosper. Guaranteed income does not replace existing supplemental or government benefits, but provides an extra boost that can lift people out of the safety net and into a more stable life.

Thrive Prince George’s will give participants increased flexibility and financial freedom so they can live with dignity and be empowered to overcome whatever barriers they may face – whether it is meeting basic needs, paying down a debt, moving into permanent housing, furthering their education to secure a better job, or to stop working a second job so they can spend more time with their families.

Youth Aged Out of Foster Care

According to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Prince George’s, more than a ⅓ of foster care youth in Prince George’s County age out of the foster care system without finding a home. Studies have shown that those who age out of the foster care system are more likely to face socio-economic challenges including homelessness, early pregnancy, and involvement in the criminal justice system. These socio-economic challenges were further exacerbated by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an effort to address this gap and make the case for more permanent and comprehensive investment in foster care youth, Thrive Prince George’s will provide monthly payments for up to 50 Youth who aged out of foster care between 2020 and 2022.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Prince George’s will oversee the application process and facilitate payments to participating youth. For more information, visit their website [insert link]

Participating youth must be residents of Prince George’s County between the ages of 18 and 24 who aged out of foster care between 2020 and 2022. Preference will also be given to youth who are caregivers or returning citizens.

Senior Citizens (60+)

Seniors, particularly those on fixed incomes, are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet due to inflation, historical inequalities, the rising costs of healthcare, and ageism in the workplace. According to United for ALICE, 52% of seniors in Prince George’s County are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE)— meaning they earn more than the Federal Poverty Level, but less than the basic cost of living for the county.

Thrive Prince George’s will provide monthly payments for 125+ Seniors (60+) – with the goal of making the case for a more permanent and comprehensive investment in our Senior population, regionally. United Communities Against Poverty (UCAP) will oversee the application process and facilitate payments to participating Senior Citizens.

Participating Seniors must be residents of Prince George’s County, within the ALICE population, and living in one of The Community Foundation’s Priority Neighborhoods (The Purple Line Corridor - Langley Park, Chillum, Adelphi, The Blue Line Corridor - Seat Pleasant and Largo Corridor, and Suitland, Branch Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue). Preference will be given to Seniors who are caregivers or returning citizens.

Seniors (Age 60+)

The application for Eligible Seniors is now closed. Those who have already submitted an application will be notified about their application status.

Seniors who did not submit an application are encouraged to visit www.ucappgc.org to learn about additional information about the services provided by United Communities Against Poverty (UCAP).

Youth Who Aged Out of Foster Care Between 2020 - 2022

There will be no application process for Youth Who Have Aged out of Foster Care. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) will select eligible Youth from among their current service population.

Those who have recently aged out of foster care or are in need of special advocates are encouraged to visit www.pgcasa.org for more information.

Visit https://pgcasa.org/thrivegi/ or call 301-209-0491 for more information.