April 23, 2024 at 8:44 AM
Martha’s Table works in deep collaboration with our neighbors to deliver on our mission to support strong children, strong families, and strong communities in Washington, D.C. through four program areas: education, health and wellness, family supports, and community investments.
We are proud to build on this work with Strong Families, Strong Futures DC, a direct cash assistance program supporting D.C. mothers. Launched in 2022 and supported by the D.C. Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), Martha’s Table administered $1.5 million in the first year of the pilot to 132 expectant and new mothers in Wards 5, 7, and 8–providing critical assistance to children and families from day one.
Over the pilot’s duration, participants reported spending most of their funds on housing, food, and transportation. As the program progressed, participants also reported saving more money for the future –a core goal of the pilot.
This shift towards savings and financial security is particularly significant, given that participants face challenges, including unaffordable housing costs and uneven access to jobs that provide family-sustaining incomes.
To build on the success of the program, Martha’s Table and DMPED are proud to announce that the program will continue, and starting April 2024 current participants of the program will resume receiving monthly cash payments totalling $7,500 over the course of the program year.
In addition to the direct cash transfer payments, Martha’s Table partners with the Department of Insurance Securities and Banking (DISB) and Capital Area Asset Builders (CAAB) to provide financial empowerment courses. Martha’s Table also provides holistic wrap around services that includes:
Martha’s Table is proud to invest in families with financial planning and tools to build for the future.
We will continue to strengthen and build on the success of the program through the following measures:
Martha’s Table is also grateful for the additional grant awarded from the Greater Washington Community Foundation’s Health Equity Fund, which enabled 16 more participants to join the program in 2023.
Should you have questions about the program, please contact sfsf@marthastable.org.
March 8, 2024 at 9:23 AM
“Without women in this world, nothing is possible…nothing.” -Angela Draughn