1 RISE UP ALAMEDA
Narrative Archive
Final Report
Prepared for
City of Alameda
Prepared by
Wild Seed Consulting
SEPTEMBER
2026
2 AUTHORS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
About this Report
On May 17, 2022, Alameda City Council approved a $4.6 million allocation from American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) to develop Rise Up Alameda, the City’s first-ever guaranteed income pilot program that provided $1,000 per month to 150 low-income Alameda households over a two-year period from 2023 to 2025. From June through July, 2026 Wild Seed Consulting conducted in-depth interviews with eight program participants. This report summarizes the narrative anthology documenting the participants’ lived experiences and impacts of the pilot program. Wild Seed’s approach translated the program outcomes into human-centered stories, preserving participant voice and supporting public understanding, learning, and long-term memory of what guaranteed income made possible for program participants.
Contributors
Wild Seed Consulting & Productions, LLC
Keenan Rhodes, Principal
Reva Santo, Assistant Editor
Dr. Kayla Beard, Project Evaluator
Marvin James, Website & Graphic Designer
Christian “Khris” Virgil Reyes, Video Production Assistant Director Acknowledgment
The Wild Seed team thanks the narrative anthology participants who graciously welcomed them into their homes and shared moving personal stories. The team also thanks the City of Alameda for their support and coordination, including City of Alameda staff Jackie Keliiaa, the Social Service Human Relations Board (SSHRB) and the Rise Up Alameda Advisory Board.
3 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Pilot Research
To measure the impact of the pilot program, the City retained a research partner to measure study outcomes using surveys that were administered 12- and 24- months after the program launched.
The final report found consistent improvements in participants’ financial well-being, mental well- being, and employment flexibility. Wild Seed’s narrative anthology goes beyond the numbers, centering the lived experiences of the program participants. The anthology compliments the research findings, humanizing the program outcomes while preserving participant voice with dignity and care.
Primary Goal
Wild Seed was tasked with producing a narrative anthology documenting the lived experiences and impacts of the Rise Up Alameda guaranteed income pilot.
Deliverables
From June through September 2026 the team produced:
• Eight composite participant profiles, including video and audio interviews and a portrait series
• A short film of the participant interviews
• A digital anthology website of the program and participants at riseupalameda.org Target Audience
Primary audiences:
• Alameda residents
• City leadership and departments
• Policymakers and public agencies
• Program funders and evaluators
Secondary audiences:
• Municipalities exploring guaranteed income
• Advocacy organizations
• Researchers
• Media and public storytelling platforms
4 Beyond the Data
Our documentation process is grounded in honoring the humanity of whoever steps in front of the camera, as well as everyone working behind the scenes to bring the anthology to life. This project required relationship, consent, patience, and emotional intelligence.
We approached each participant interaction as a time to listen closely without judgement, to follow the participant’s pacing, and to create space for participants to describe their experience in the guaranteed income program in their own words and framing.
We want to explicitly acknowledge the grace and warmth of the participants who welcomed us into their homes and shared their lived experiences with our team. Inviting us into personal space to discuss money, stability, hardship, hope, and future plans is a profound act of trust, and that trust made this anthology possible. In the spirit of reciprocity and gratitude, all participants received print and digital copies of their portraits along with a personal thank you note.
Workflow
To manage scope and ensure quality and care, the project followed a phased workflow:
• Phase 1: Participant identification & evaluation (pre-interviews, consent discussions, story assessment, selection)
• Phase 2: Pre-production (scheduling, interview frameworks, production planning, alignment with City priorities)
• Phase 3: Production (filming interviews, b-roll, portrait photography) • Phase 4: Post-production (editing profiles, curating photos, building website, composite overview video)
• Phase 5: Review & evaluation (final delivery, feedback loops, domain transfer / handoff, final reporting)
5 Rise Up Alameda Participants
In June 2026, City of Alameda provided our team with contact information for twenty guaranteed income program participants that expressed interest in sharing their personal experience in Rise Up Alameda. Wild Seed contacted all participants for initial interviews and provided background on the narrative anthology project. Of the initial twenty, eight participants agreed to be interviewed.
In June and July 2026, Wild Seed interviewed seven program participants in Alameda and one in Southern California. Aside from their graciousness with their time, they were also generous with their responses. The participants spoke about how they ended up in Alameda, funny and quirky facts about themselves, their love and care for their families, and also their financial challenges.
They come from various walks of life and vocations, showing that while financial hardship is a challenge that disproportionately impacts people of color across the country, it affects everyone across racial barriers. Each participant shared the impact that financial hardship has had on their well-being and shared how Rise Up Alameda gave them relief.
Below are summaries of the participant interviews. Participant profiles and a short film about the program are available on riseupalameda.org.
6 Andrea
49ers fan, vintage Barbie collector, Certified Nursing Assistant.
Andrea came to Alameda through a housing waitlist she joined while trying to find a bigger home for herself and her ailing mother. Sadly, Andrea’s mother passed away right before she was offered a unit, however, she couldn’t take the two-bedroom they originally sought together. The housing authority put her back on the waitlist, and then, unexpectedly, “less than two months later, they called my name. ” And for the past four years, she’s called Alameda home.
Rise Up Alameda helped Andrea regain stability during a period of financial and emotional difficulty, especially with the loss of her mother, medical bills and other burdens that fell on her shoulders. The support was crucial for staying afloat with essentials and allowed her to cover bills, transportation, bridge tolls, and gas, helping her stay current on rent and basic needs. Over time, she became more focused on budgeting and prioritizing necessities over wants. The support also helped her provide and care for her father and her ailing brother. After the program, Andrea is feeling more prepared for the future.
It helped a whole lot. Believe me, it did, but … I'm still the same person regardless of how much money I get. If I get the same pay, if I get a little extra more, I'm still the same person.
Every city should try [this program] at least once. It might not be a whole lot of money for some people,
but it does take a little bit to get somebody out of a
situation. From women and children especially, it just
takes a little bit.
“
”
“ ”
7 Dolores
Alameda native, community caretaker, lifelong AT&T employee.
Dolores came to Alameda from the Philippines when she was three years old and has called the island home ever since. Now in her 70s, she carries deep knowledge and memory of Alameda throughout the years. She remembers what it was like when she first arrived – a tight nit community, kids playing outside all day, and families hailing from all over the world. She still holds dear many of the lifelong friends she’s made throughout her life in Alameda.
Aside from being an expert of Alameda and its history, she also has an extraordinary work history, having a career at AT&T for 41 years – she remembers when it was still called Pacific Telephone.
Now in retirement, she calls one of the senior affordable housing complexes near City Hall home and is civically active and engaged. She attends police beat meetings and stays connected with fellow seniors in her complex.
For Dolores, Rise Up Alameda relieved a lot of stress from credit card bills and budgeting decisions. With the money she received over the two-year program, she was able to build a savings account, pay off credit card debt, and engage even more in the community. She volunteers, takes senior center classes, enjoys community events, and treats herself to meals or small trips without worrying about her budget.
It gave me… a peace of mind. It made me feel like I
don't really have to worry too much about juggling my
budget. It also helped me pay off some of my credit
cards. So that was a relief.
“
”
8 Gamal
World Cup fan, international traveler, green thumb.
Gamal’s was born in Sudan and arrived in the US at 18. He’s seen and lived in almost all four corners of the United States, spending time in New York, Miami, Denver, Florida, Washington, Los Angeles, and Oakland before settling in Alameda. He views Alameda as his home and doesn’t see himself leaving anytime soon.
Gamal has a peaceful weekly routine which ranges from gardening, cooking, and recently, enjoying watching the World Cup. He is very personable and knows everyone in his 10-unit building. He shares recipes, information, and occasionally, shares grapes grown in his garden with his neighbors.
When reflecting on the impact of Rise Up Alameda, he speaks highly of the program, saying that it was a huge stress reliever. The program eased financial pressure by helping him reduce debt and lower stress — especially because disability and Social Security income doesn’t stretch far and his disability limits his ability to work. For him, it arrived at the right time, giving him breathing room and space to reduce his debt.
That program was helping a lot in the two years I've
been getting it. It took off a lot of my debt, credit card debt and all that. So, it was very helpful, and I
appreciated that.
“
”
9 Haroon
Transit driver, avid jogger, father, longtime Bay Area resident.
Haroon moved from Afghanistan to the Bay Area in 1981 and has called Alameda home since 1990. He spent his adolescence and high school years in Alameda and has seen the city become denser and more expensive. For Haroon, Alameda has maintained its respectful, neighborly culture, and is a place where he feels connected.
Haroon deeply values his family and he spends much of his day as a transit driver operating local buses or working as a rideshare driver to provide for them. When he’s not working, enjoys jogging along the South Shore, going for walks with his family or enjoying dinner at his favorite local restaurant, La Penca Azul. As a bus and rideshare driver, he often chats with his passengers who lament the rapidly changing Bay Area.
Being in Rise Up Alameda allowed him to support and provide for his family, paying for utilities, rent, recurring bills, and the “tiny things” that add up. He described being in the program as “relief on the pressure valve” and reprieve from the high cost of living in Alameda. His family was able to pay off debt, catch up on back payments, and have some breathing room from work, contributing positively to their overall well-being while in the program.
It helped us with our financial situation, you know…
we used that money to pay our utility bills and all that.
So, it was good.
“
”
10 Jennifer
Interior designer, artist.
Jennifer, also known as the Moss Boss, is an artist that hails from the East Bay and called Alameda home from 2022 to 2024. Alameda’s natural beauty, beaches, and great weather drew her to the island.
During the pandemic, Jennifer collected driftwood, moss, and other natural materials which she would eventually incorporate into custom mirrors and wall art for her interior design business.
Jennifer sold her first piece at the Corica Park Golf Course and her business; the Moss Boss, was born.
The extra money helped Andrea invest in her art career, creating an LLC, renting studio space and launching her brand. It also helped her escape an abusive relationship, allowing her to move to a safe space to focus on her health and her art. She often comes back to visit Alameda.
[Rise Up Alameda] gave me back my confidence and
my self-worth.
“ ”
11 Julia
Movie buff, devoted sister, Island High alumni.
Julia’s family moved to Alameda when she was 12 years old. She remembers the town felt like everybody knew everybody, the Naval Air Station was still operating, and she would see Navy officers in uniform at the base’s front gates and later off duty on Webster Street. An Island High graduate, Julie remembers her first job working with her best friend, a simpler time when you knew your neighbors and talked to them often.
“Alameda's home. I mean, we come home from there and smell that smell of that stinky water, and it's so good. It's like, ‘Oh, I'm home. ’”
She fondly reminisced about the dive bars she used to frequent, the live music, and other third spaces she held dear. For her, the city has changed; today Alameda caters to higher income tastes with fewer affordable restaurants and large housing developments, especially at Alameda Point.
For Julia, her life changed in an instant when she was evicted from her apartment and had to move in with her sister. They both live with disabilities that affect their mobility, and with the extra income, Julie and her sister were able to afford groceries regularly, enjoy local restaurants, and even afford new mattresses and a set of new tires for her car for the first time in her life. The program created extra space in her life for joy and stress relief, improving her wellbeing.
Whether I had money or no money. My dignity, I have
dignity no matter what. I mean, I could be poor or
rich…I think everybody should feel dignified no matter
what, if they have no money or all the money.
“
”
12 Laurie
Head Start teacher, Wicked superfan, Caretaker.
Laurie was raised in San Rafael and moved to Alameda in 1988 when she became pregnant with her son. She fell in love with Alameda’s diversity, weather, and sense of community. Today, Laurie’s son, daughter-in-law, grandmother, and aunt all live nearby.
Laurie describes herself as “very sociable” and a “workaholic” who likes to stay busy. She started working as a preschool teacher and her love of children led her to a career in early childhood education, teaching at Head Start programs throughout the Bay Area. “Sometimes, I see the kids that I taught 20 years ago, I run into them now, and it makes me feel so happy that they’ve achieved to the best of their knowledge… Working with kids, it’s a very rewarding job. ”
The extra income gave Laurie financial stability at a time when daily essentials are becoming increasingly more expensive. She stayed on top of her basic needs and had extra money for emergencies such as car repairs and helping out with her son who recently had a child himself.
She also had time to do things she was never able to do as a kid, such as vacation with her friends in Cancun.
This income helped me a lot… because right now I
have my own car, I'm taking care of an apartment …
since I had this income never ran out of toilet paper or I never ran out of gas.
“
”
13 Tyronne
Navy Veteran. Community Volunteer. Cyclist.
Tyronne was born and raised in the Bay Area and his father, also a Navy veteran, worked at Alameda’s Naval Air Station. He’s called Alameda home since 2016 and was drawn to the city’s calm, close-knit community.
Tyronne is grounded in service and community. He’s a volunteer with East Bay Regional Park District, active with veterans groups, his church and Operation Dignity, a local organization that also helped him secure housing.
When Tyronne was selected to participate in Rise Up Alameda, he was experiencing significant health challenges that made his job as a truck driver very painful. The long hours on the road took a toll on his health and his financial situation worsened. For Tyronne, his biggest concern was housing – he needed a stable place to manage his health and frequent medical appointments. With the extra income, he secured a lease for an apartment and made long-term plans for his future. He plans to return to college to finish his degree in Computer Science and start a career in Information Technology, which he hopes will help him keep up with the high cost of Bay Area living.
Rise Up came at the most opportune time to help me
make ends meet…Once I got selected for Rise Up, it
was like a Godsend, ‘cause I needed the extra
income…
“
”
14 OUTCOMES
What We Produced
Each participant’s profile package is designed to be complete on its own while also fitting into the larger anthology. The structure for each participant’s deliverables includes:
• A written description summarizing their interview and story context • A portrait headshot (and/or a small photo set)
• Video or audio interview
• An anthology website with all profiles at riseupalameda.org Alongside individual profiles, the project includes an accompanying short film that provides an accessible overview of the anthology and shared themes across stories. Key Themes
Across participant stories, several themes consistently emerged:
• Reduced financial burden: Participants described guaranteed income support as a meaningful reduction in day-to-day pressure and financial stress. • Dignity and stability: Many participants described experiences of dignity, reduced survival stress, more choice, and the ability to make decisions aligned with their long-term well- being, rather than immediate urgency and an ability to provide for their families. • Savings and debt reduction: Participants shared that the support helped them build savings, catch up on bills, and/or pay down debt—changes that can have lasting impacts.
Recommendations
Participants reflected on the profound impact guaranteed income had on their lives and suggested the City of Alameda commit to a long-term guaranteed income program, expanding the benefits to even more residents. Additionally, participant recommendations were aligned with the major findings in the larger final report: when financial burden is reduced, people feel more dignity, build savings, and reduce debt.
15 Suggested Next Steps
The film serves as an archive of participant stories that illustrate positive impacts guaranteed income can have on a community. Wild Seed supports the participants’ recommendation to commit to a long-term guaranteed income program. Further, we recommend widely sharing the benefits of this program with the region and other local municipalities that may be interested in launching a guaranteed income program of their own.
We recommend a screening the short film across Alameda so residents can better understand their neighbors and the realities they face. Lastly, in the spirit of practicing care for the participants, we recommend as much as possible to share updates of the story’s development with the participants themselves.