On October 21st, 2024, ECS screened a film: It's Basic, a documentary that follows several people facing the challenge of poverty who are given a sum of money monthly – often referred to as guaranteed income - through government pilot programs for 10 months up to 2 years. Even though ECS does not work in the guaranteed income space, we are always looking for ways to highlight innovative programs that help to lift people out of poverty, in line with our mission to challenge intergenerational poverty.
After the film, there was a brief panel discussion with Dr. Amy Castro and Elizabeth Sehring, moderated by Victoria Bennett, ECS’ Chief Inclusion and Advocacy Officer. Dr. Castro is an Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania in the School of Social Policy & Practice. She is the Co-Founder and faculty director of the Center for Guaranteed Income Research. Her work explores economic mobility, guaranteed income, innovation, and disparities in housing and lending. Ms. Sehring is a producer from Blowback Productions - a production company that has done decades worth of social justice documentaries. She has a background in writing and producing. It's Basic has been on tour, shown at film festivals, screened around the country for local governments, non-profits, and faith-based organizations.
The discussion ranged from how the documentary was made to what it would take for other cities such as Philadelphia to start Basic Income programs. What started with one mayor in one city quickly grew to over 300 cities. Though many believe giving people money will disincentivize working, It's Basic shows that, once people are given a chance to breathe and not operate from a place of scarcity, the opposite is true. One participant needed funds to commute to school. She was able to become a nursing assistant and take care of her daughter. Another participant was able to commute to work and prove she had enough security to legally adopt her niece and nephew. $500 a month is not enough to live on, but that guaranteed income was just enough to get started; enough for participants to feel hope.
The film also shows the connection between the benefits cliff, one of ECS’ Lead advocacy issues, and guaranteed income. In one segment, a participant notes that she always kept her hours low to maintain her SNAP benefits (commonly known as food stamps), a reference to the benefits cliff that she and her family faced.
Much like ECS' mission, the program increased the ability of people to improve their lives and achieve economic independence. It’s Basic provided important insights into what it takes to break through the barriers to economic independence.