It was a warm August morning at 7 a.m. when Voycetta White completed an eight-hour shift at the Best Western Vancouver. By 8 a.m., she had to rush to Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center in Portland to start another grueling eight-hour shift as an optician. This trade she acquired during her prison time. Amidst the hustle, her youngest daughter delivered a harsh reality check.

"How Multnomah County's Program Transformed Lives Amidst Challenges"

Early Challenges and Setbacks

In 2013, White got involved in a shoplifting-turned-robbery incident and was sentenced to seven years in prison with three years of post-prison supervision. She was the sole provider for her children during this difficult time. However, she used her prison time wisely. She obtained her GED, took classes to ease back into society, and began training to become an optician through the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation. By the end of her sentence, she landed an internship and was released in November 2020.After regaining custody of her children in March 2021 and moving into a full-time position with the Lions Foundation, she faced a new challenge - a $20,000 debt from past court charges. This led her to work two jobs totaling 64 hours a week to support herself and her family.

The Arrival of Multnomah Mother's Trust

In late 2021, White received an email about the Multnomah Mother's Trust program. At first, she was skeptical, thinking it was too good to be true. But with the guidance of the nonprofit WomenFirst Transition and Referral Center, she applied and was accepted. The monthly payments from this program provided her with much-needed financial relief and allowed her to focus on rebuilding her life without the stress of financial hardship.Raven Smith also benefited from the program. She used the income to support her family while finishing her associate degree and working with the county's Healthy Birth Initiative. The program gave her the stability and time she needed to focus on her mental health and her children.

Impacts and the End of the Program

For White, the end of the pandemic-era payments meant getting a second job. She rarely had time to spend with her children but had no other choice to make ends meet. Smith had aspirations of launching her own nonprofit but had to put those plans on hold due to the program's end.County officials noted that the loss of federal support had a significant impact, draining funds from areas like rent assistance and eviction prevention. The general fund deficit for 2025-26 is projected to be $21 million, which is five times higher than the previous year.Despite the challenges, both White and Smith believe that the short-lived universal basic income experiment was important. They emphasized that they worked hard and did not take the money for granted.In conclusion, Multnomah County's Mother's Trust program had a profound impact on the lives of these individuals, helping them overcome challenges and strive for a better future.