Promoting the Value of Guaranteed Income Programs

As economic and inflation concerns impact more communities throughout the U.S., social programs such as guaranteed income are serving as lifelines for working families to survive. Within this context, Vanguard joined with ACT for Alexandria and collaborated closely with the City of Alexandria to usher in a groundbreaking guaranteed income pilot program, aptly named ARISE. Through ARISE, eligible households receive $500 unrestricted monthly cash payments for two years. Vanguard conducted listening sessions with Alexandrian residents who may be eligible for this program, which led to the development of a robust ARISE messaging platform, carefully crafted to become the cornerstone of marketing content and advocacy endeavors. To promote the application period and demystify the concept of guaranteed income, Vanguard developed and designed flyers, postcards, email templates and social media graphics in English. These materials — which reflected the diversity of the Alexandrian community — were adapted into Spanish, Amharic and Arabic and distributed throughout the community. More than 4,000 Alexandrians applied for a chance to be one of the 170 households in Alexandria’s ARISE program and payments began in February 2023. Through op-eds and messaging content, Vanguard shared how guaranteed income is part of creating an economy that works for everyone and programs like ARISE result in improved health, economic security, better nutrition, reduced stress levels and increased rates of employment among participants.