Concord nonprofit launches guaranteed income pilot for those affected by COVID-19

CONCORD — Monument Impact, a community-based nonprofit, has launched a guaranteed income pilot program after being awarded $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds by the city of Concord.

“We’re proud to partner with the City of Concord to launch this pilot program,” Executive Director Judith Ortiz said in a press release.

The project aims to give $500 a month over 12 months to at least 120 low-income Concord families.

“Priority will be given to families with children age 12 or younger living in neighborhoods where many low-wage workers who were not able to work remotely, had children at home in distance learning, and lacked access to child care, health care, and/or federal/state COVID-19 recovery funds,” the press release said.

Income and other criteria of eligibility will be developed alongside the city of Concord.

Ortiz said the nonprofit has seen the terrible impact COVID-19 has had on families who lost months and years of work, and the organization is uniquely positioned to launch the income program because of their long-held trust in the community. It is modeled after similar programs in Oakland and Stockton.

Ortiz said that this program will “fill in the gaps” for communities in need.

“Research shows that cash gives people the tools to solve their problems in ways that traditional support programs cannot,” Ortiz said. “Diversifying our services to fill in the gaps left by COVID-19 is critical to the full recovery of our communities.”

This past Saturday marked the two-year anniversary of the American Rescue Plan Act, and Concord, like many California cities, has been directing remaining funds to programs to help those most impacted by COVID-19.

Monument Impact was founded in 2001 to help build skills, resources, strength within Concord’s immigrant, refugee, and low-income communities, mostly located in the Monument Corridor.

The nonprofit served more than 13,00 people in 2021, helping provide resources and information to support tenants affected by COVID-19 and increase vaccination rates among the Latino population of Contra Costa County.

More information about the program will be revealed soon.