Birmingham woman finds a needed embrace in city’s guaranteed income program

By Marie A. Sutton, Public Information Officer

Miyah Ford was living in the aftershock of back-to-back failed relationships and was raising two babies with another one on the way. “It was not supposed to be that way,” said the 25-year-old East Birmingham resident. She had been on track for an ideal life, it seemed. She hadn’t become a mom yet and was enrolled in college to be a nurse.

Then, everything took a turn.

The man she had loved since 15 drastically changed the way he treated her emotionally, financially and physically. The relationship after that — though she was hopeful — was no better. She had to drop out of school and figure out how to pick up the pieces of her life with little mouths — aged 4, 2 and 5 months — to feed.

“I was trying not to sink into a depression,” she said. “I needed help.”

She saw friends on Facebook posting about a call for participants in Embrace Mothers, a pilot program that planned to help single moms. On a whim, she decided to apply.

Embrace Mothers is a partnership with the City of Birmingham and Mayors for a Guaranteed Income. It is part of a nationwide research project to evaluate the impact of guaranteed income on individuals and families. The initiative would support 110 single mothers and women in mothering roles with $375 per month for 12 months. Participants were randomly selected by the City of Birmingham’s research partner Abt Associates, and East Lake Initiative provided confidential onboarding and benefits counseling services to selected women.

“Single-mother led families represent about 60 percent of all City of Birmingham households with children,” Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin said. “This program stands to help these courageous women establish a solid footing during a time that has been very unsteady. Creating stronger, healthier households makes for a stronger, healthier city and it is my honor to do all that I can to make that happen.”

Miyah was one of the women selected. “I was shocked,” she said. “I never get picked for anything.”

At the time, she was working as a hostess in a hospital cafeteria and had just gotten a much-needed car and apartment. Initially, she used the Embrace Mother funds to save, something she hadn’t been able to do. But, as her pregnancy advanced and she began to have complications, she asked her employer if she could temporarily switch to lighter duties or another role. They refused, and she was out of a job.

“My feelings were hurt,” she said. “I liked my job, and it was my biggest source of income.” The Embrace Mothers funds then had to be used for basic needs like food and diapers. When people and jobs left, her monthly stipend was the only constant.

“Sometimes I would break down and cry,” she said. “I would try not to feel hopeless.” One of her children would lovingly bring her a tissue to wipe her face.

“I have made a whole lot of mistakes,” she said, “but my kids are not one of them.”

She knows that people judge her.

“You can’t speak on a situation you are not in. You cannot understand the sleepless nights of parenting alone.”

Miyah said she spends every dime on her children and has no regrets about it. Since she has not been able to buy clothing for herself, she wears some that no longer fit well and is rarely able to do little things for herself.

“But I get enjoyment from just taking my kids to the park,” she said. “My son will come up and say, ‘You are the best mom ever.’”

That gives her the strength not to give up, she said. Embrace Mothers came into her life during one of her lowest moments and did just that, embraced her.

“I am so grateful for the Embrace Mothers Program. It has certainly been a great source of relief,” she said. “I am hopeful that things will get better. I know they will.”

For more information about the Embrace Mothers program, go to https://guaranteedincome.us/birmingham.