Humans of Basic Income
Donation protected
Who Started This GoFundMe?
My name is Gayle Clow. I am lucky: I do not need the Basic Income supplement. I have food, a home, and clothing; I can feed my dog and pay for prescription drugs; I can get a haircut whenever I want and buy earrings if I feel like it; I can entertain friends at dinner and go on vacations to Ireland. My husband enjoys his Scotch.
I have always felt lucky. However, I seem to have always known that a small slip, a bit of unluckiness, can be the beginning of a descent from a good life to one on the streets.
Why Did Gayle Start This Humans of Basic Income GoFundMe?
When I read about the Ford government reneging on their campaign promise to continue to Basic Income program, I was distressed at the harm caused and the pain felt. But when I read about Jessie Golem’s brilliant Humans of Basic Income photography project, I was elated.
All I wanted to do was send her money so she could tell as many of these compelling stories as possible and convince the Ontario government to see the pilot to its 3 year end. I said to my husband excitedly, “Someone will start a Go Fund Me project!” and he said, “Why don’t you do it?” So I am doing it.
Since the Ford government was elected I have written letters, made phone calls, and have spoken with people, but have felt frustrated that it feels like I do so much, with so little effect.
In the short period of time since his election, Doug Ford has demonstrated through his broken election promises and cuts to social services, that his priority is not to support the most vulnerable in our province. But Basic Income* is for the people and so is Jessie Golem’s project. By taking these pictures, Jessie is amplifying the stories of the people affected by the premature cancellation of the pilot that they signed up for in good faith, and giving these people a platform to tell their stories, about how Basic Income helped in big and small ways to improve their lives.
The value of the Basic Income program will only be known when the 3 year pilot is completed and evaluated. Only by continuing to provide the support promised to 4,000 Ontarians can the value be assessed.
Who Else is Harmed by the Basic Income Pilot Cancellation?
It’s not just the pilot program participants who will suffer from a truncated pilot program, it’s all Ontarians, taxpayers included. Money is wasted; opportunities squandered; health declines; lives are lost. No one wins.
Read these articles to learn more -
Macleans Magazine - A Basic Universal Income is More Realistic Than You Think
The Globe and Mail - Why The World Should Embrace Basic Income
Toronto Star - Basic Income Pilot to Wind Up March 31
Vancouver Star -Ontario's Cancellation of Basic Income Seen as a Setback
What Will Your Humans of Basic Income Donations Pay For?
Jessie Golem was a Basic Income participant. She understands the need and the value of Basic Income on an almost cellular level. She was able to pursue her career and develop her business without having to work multiple jobs, thanks to the leg up the program gave her.
When I broached the GoFundMe idea with Jessie, she was very clear. She wants the funds to go to raising awareness and amplifying the stories of those who were on the pilot program, in the hopes of getting the pilot program back on track, so results can be measured. Jessie does not want to benefit personally.
Your donated funds will -
• help Jessie take more photos and record more stories - pay for Jessie’s transportation, accommodation, expenses
• help to cover the cost of photo printing to be displayed in exhibits and galleries
Any additional funds donated will go to charities that support low-income people in Hamilton, Brantford, Lindsay and Thunder Bay, the pilot program communities.
Here’s How You Can Help
If you are able, please donate. Jessie and I will be so grateful. And so will the 4,000 Basic Income participants.
And please let your friends know about this by talking to them, sending a link on your Facebook page, or sending an email.
Check out the Humans of Basic Income Facebook page.
Support the Humans of Basic Income GoFundMe and you will be part of keeping Ontario human.
*the pilot program tests “whether a basic income can better support vulnerable workers, improve health and education outcomes for people on low incomes, and help ensure that everyone shares in Ontario’s economic growth.”
My name is Gayle Clow. I am lucky: I do not need the Basic Income supplement. I have food, a home, and clothing; I can feed my dog and pay for prescription drugs; I can get a haircut whenever I want and buy earrings if I feel like it; I can entertain friends at dinner and go on vacations to Ireland. My husband enjoys his Scotch.
I have always felt lucky. However, I seem to have always known that a small slip, a bit of unluckiness, can be the beginning of a descent from a good life to one on the streets.
Why Did Gayle Start This Humans of Basic Income GoFundMe?
When I read about the Ford government reneging on their campaign promise to continue to Basic Income program, I was distressed at the harm caused and the pain felt. But when I read about Jessie Golem’s brilliant Humans of Basic Income photography project, I was elated.
All I wanted to do was send her money so she could tell as many of these compelling stories as possible and convince the Ontario government to see the pilot to its 3 year end. I said to my husband excitedly, “Someone will start a Go Fund Me project!” and he said, “Why don’t you do it?” So I am doing it.
Since the Ford government was elected I have written letters, made phone calls, and have spoken with people, but have felt frustrated that it feels like I do so much, with so little effect.
In the short period of time since his election, Doug Ford has demonstrated through his broken election promises and cuts to social services, that his priority is not to support the most vulnerable in our province. But Basic Income* is for the people and so is Jessie Golem’s project. By taking these pictures, Jessie is amplifying the stories of the people affected by the premature cancellation of the pilot that they signed up for in good faith, and giving these people a platform to tell their stories, about how Basic Income helped in big and small ways to improve their lives.
The value of the Basic Income program will only be known when the 3 year pilot is completed and evaluated. Only by continuing to provide the support promised to 4,000 Ontarians can the value be assessed.
Who Else is Harmed by the Basic Income Pilot Cancellation?
It’s not just the pilot program participants who will suffer from a truncated pilot program, it’s all Ontarians, taxpayers included. Money is wasted; opportunities squandered; health declines; lives are lost. No one wins.
Read these articles to learn more -
Macleans Magazine - A Basic Universal Income is More Realistic Than You Think
The Globe and Mail - Why The World Should Embrace Basic Income
Toronto Star - Basic Income Pilot to Wind Up March 31
Vancouver Star -Ontario's Cancellation of Basic Income Seen as a Setback
What Will Your Humans of Basic Income Donations Pay For?
Jessie Golem was a Basic Income participant. She understands the need and the value of Basic Income on an almost cellular level. She was able to pursue her career and develop her business without having to work multiple jobs, thanks to the leg up the program gave her.
When I broached the GoFundMe idea with Jessie, she was very clear. She wants the funds to go to raising awareness and amplifying the stories of those who were on the pilot program, in the hopes of getting the pilot program back on track, so results can be measured. Jessie does not want to benefit personally.
Your donated funds will -
• help Jessie take more photos and record more stories - pay for Jessie’s transportation, accommodation, expenses
• help to cover the cost of photo printing to be displayed in exhibits and galleries
Any additional funds donated will go to charities that support low-income people in Hamilton, Brantford, Lindsay and Thunder Bay, the pilot program communities.
Here’s How You Can Help
If you are able, please donate. Jessie and I will be so grateful. And so will the 4,000 Basic Income participants.
And please let your friends know about this by talking to them, sending a link on your Facebook page, or sending an email.
Check out the Humans of Basic Income Facebook page.
Support the Humans of Basic Income GoFundMe and you will be part of keeping Ontario human.
*the pilot program tests “whether a basic income can better support vulnerable workers, improve health and education outcomes for people on low incomes, and help ensure that everyone shares in Ontario’s economic growth.”
Organizer
Gayle Clow
Organizer
Pickering, ON
