Lorinda Gill
“It was like winning the lottery.”
Lorinda Gill is a business owner and pet lover who resided in California before moving to Denver in 2021. Struggling to make ends meet, she faced wrongful eviction at the start of the pandemic and began living out of her car, working two jobs, and surviving a myriad of forest fires.
Having relocated to Denver in 2021, Lorinda’s arrival led her to a homeless shelter, where she sought refuge until discovering the Denver Basic Income Project in early 2022.
Lorinda discovered the Denver Basic Income Project through Stout Street Clinic, which operates under the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. As a member of Group B, she received $6,500 upfront as well as an additional $500/month for the remaining 11 months. These funds allowed her to establish her pet-sitting business, Aston Parker Petcations and Photography, LLC, obtain insurance, and embark on advertising efforts critical to her company’s growth.
Lorinda's experience with the program extended beyond financial aid, instilling in her a sense of purpose, freedom, and security.
“I’m gonna do something good with it [the funds]. I’m gonna invest in myself [...] That’s the best thing I felt to do.”
