Ellen is a Clarifi client and one of 250 parents who participated in a groundbreaking guaranteed income pilot designed to alleviate financial stress and boost healthy birth outcomes for pregnant Philadelphians. Through Philly Joy Bank, expecting moms received $1,000 in no-strings cash monthly for a year and a half, from their second trimester to their baby’s first birthday. 

The program, which launched last summer, offered additional resources like free financial counseling in partnership with Clarifi. Our counselors helped new moms like Ellen leverage the extra income for paying down debt, building credit, saving to buy a home, and other goals.

By Ellen Peter, as told to Taylor Goebel

I’ve been a mother for 24 years. With my first child, I really struggled to provide for him. I suffered from postpartum depression. 

But since receiving extra income through Philly Joy Bank, I gave birth to my fourth child, and he hasn’t had a diaper rash yet. For me, that’s huge. He’s a happy, healthy baby. I didn’t suffer from postpartum depression either.

I’m a single parent to my fourth child. He has the best of everything: A good stroller, onesies. I’ve always wanted to be that parent who didn’t stress about how I’m going to provide for my child. It’s just a blessing to not have that struggle. It’s that mental peace. 

The experience with Philly Joy Bank has given me a lot of joy. When my baby needs things, I don’t have to struggle to buy them. I don’t think, “If I’m short on milk, can I afford these Pampers?” 

Instead of cramming into a seat on a bus that is probably going to be late, instead of having to rely on something that isn’t always reliable, I can get a Lyft now. I haven’t missed one doctor’s appointment. I can go where I need to and get back. 

Having this income is the freedom to throw an extra item in the cart, while sticking with Clarifi’s financial counseling to pay off my debts. My credit score is improving too. This is a source of income that goes a long way, so I need to be responsible with a blessing like that. 

My Clarifi counselor, Jessica told me to take my time repairing my credit, to focus on a repayment plan, and she helped me create a budget. 

I believe that generational wealth is so important. My goals are to pay off credit card debt and student loans, and to lower my credit card usage. I also have a goal of homeownership in the next few years. I got my first credit card and driver’s license in my 30s. It’s never too late.

I’m working now. It’s not the highest-paying job, but it will open the door to other opportunities. I’m also starting school online for my real estate license.

I’ve been couch surfing for a while now, dealing with homelessness, staying in shelters, surviving in a poorly run system that doesn’t have a lot of compassion or empathy. I don’t want my kids to go through that. It messes with your mental health. 

Jessica made me feel better and confident. She’s helped me stay optimistic and resilient, and my hopes and dreams of having my own home are bigger and brighter than ever.