A Helping Hand: How Guaranteed Income is Transforming Lives on Atlanta’s Westside

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In September 2023, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation awarded a $6.2 million grant to the Georgia Resilience and Opportunity Fund (GRO) to support the In Her Hands program. The goal was to provide female residents in Atlanta’s English Avenue and Vine City neighborhoods with guaranteed income over three years to level the playing field for women, who are most likely to experience income inequity and financial insecurity. The program began for Westside residents during the summer of 2024 after previously being offered to Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward, Clay-Randolph-Terrell County cluster and College Park residents.

Program Overview & Inspiration

In Her Hands, one of the South’s largest guaranteed income initiatives, delivers an average of $1,000 monthly for 2–3 years to more than 920 women across Georgia. The program was born from the Old Fourth Ward Economic Security Taskforce, which includes residents, faith leaders and policy advocates. Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s belief in guaranteed income as a pathway to dignity and poverty eradication, GRO named the initiative In Her Hands to advance economic justice in his legacy.

Dr. King referred to guaranteed income as the simplest approach to eradicating poverty, writing that the “dignity of the individual would flourish when matters concerning his life were in his hands when his income was certain and stable.” By putting resources directly in the hands of women, GRO honors Dr. King’s legacy and advances the fight for economic justice.

Initital Program Impact

The first cohort of In Her Hands participants provided powerful insights into the transformative potential of guaranteed income. After just one year, participants reported significant improvements in several areas, including financial resilience, physical and mental wellness, resources to invest in family and children, and achieving goals. English Avenue and Vine City residents report similar impacts after their first three months in the program.

Program participants have the autonomy to choose the payment structure that works best for them, either a large lump sum at a time of their choosing or standard monthly payments. Whether they opt for a larger lump sum to pay down debt, make a major purchase, invest in an asset like a home or car, or prefer steady, reliable monthly payments, the choice is entirely theirs. By providing this flexibility, GRO is not only offering financial support; it’s respecting every participant’s unique needs and goals.

Focus on Atlanta’s Westside

With its deep cultural and historical significance, the Westside was chosen for the program because it exemplifies both the urgent need and the opportunity for transformation. Residents face high rent burdens, lack access to health insurance and struggle to meet basic needs. Despite their rich history, the English Avenue and Vine City neighborhoods have experienced the effects of gentrification and displacement, profoundly impacting the communities. The In Her Hands program is a people-centered response to these challenges, designed to invest in individuals.

“In Her Hands participants have used their guaranteed income to start small businesses, pursue education and invest in their children’s growth. The truth is that investing in people uplifts not just the individuals but entire communities,” said Hope Wollensack, Georgia Resilience and Opportunity Fund executive director. “By stabilizing households and empowering Black women, who are often at the forefront of their families and communities, we aim to catalyze long-term economic growth and preserve the Westside’s legacy as a place of leadership and opportunity.”

Launching In Her Hands on Atlanta’s Westside provides a unique opportunity to amplify the collective impact of investments across sectors within a single community. Recent efforts by organizations like the foundation have introduced vital resources to the area, including affordable housing initiatives, job training, improved infrastructure and financial literacy programs. Guaranteed income strengthens these efforts by filling a critical gap and providing direct financial investment in individuals to promote financial stability.

Challenging Assumptions & Future Research

In addition, the data from the first In Her Hands cohort directly challenges the assumption that guaranteed income reduces motivation to work. Participants actually showed increased engagement in full-time employment and education. These findings align with what GRO has consistently seen: guaranteed income doesn’t discourage work, it provides the stability needed for people to pursue better opportunities, whether in education or career advancement.

This knowledge shapes GRO’s ongoing approach. Ultimately, GRO will explore the long-term effects of guaranteed income on recipients’ health, assets, family relationships, employment and future orientation. By measuring these broader impacts, GRO will demonstrate how guaranteed income can be a catalyst for long-term individual and community transformation.

The foundation grant aligns with the Westside giving area grantmaking that supports long-term residents to be more economically stable and to benefit from the improvements in the community they’ve called home for years.