Now entering its second year, Level Up continues to serve as a catalyst for youth empowerment across Prince George’s County. The 2025 cohort brings a refreshed curriculum, deeper community partnerships, and a strong focus on real-world readiness, including brand development, economic empowerment, and leadership training.
With only nine spots available, candidates are selected via a competitive process including essay responses, video introductions, and interviews. Level Up offers hands-on learning, mentorship, and a business pitch competition with a grand prize of $500, supported by a total participant stipend of $2,000. Through this program, UCAP has achieved an impressive 80% success rate in launching new ventures.
Under the visionary direction of UCAP CEO, Rasheeda Jamison, Level Up has redefined what youth programming can look like merging purpose, innovation, and opportunity. With a heart for community, Rasheeda has reimagined the program’s scope to meet the complex, modern needs of young adults navigating today’s social and economic challenges.
“This is more than a program, it’s a launchpad,” said Rasheeda Jamison, UCAP CEO. “We are equipping young people with the passion, skills, and resources to shape their own futures and serve as leaders in their communities. Youth empowerment is core to UCAP’s mission. With Level Up, we’re building future changemakers, entrepreneurs, innovators, and community leaders.”
Since its inception, “Level Up” has helped dozens of young adults redefine their futures by focusing on mentorship, goal setting, and community engagement. The 2025 session will include guest speakers, experiential learning, and a new alumni network designed to sustain the journey beyond the classroom.
For more information on the Level Up Entrepreneur & Leadership Bootcamp, visit www.ucappgc.org.
About UCAP:United Communities Against Poverty, Inc. (UCAP) is one of Prince George’s County’s leading nonprofit organizations focused on combating poverty, promoting self-sufficiency, and creating pathways to prosperity for underserved communities. Through housing, economic empowerment, education, and advocacy, UCAP provides resources that uplift and transform lives.
Thrive Prince George’s is a two-year, $4 million guaranteed-income pilot that seeks to provide greater economic stability and mobility for families in Prince George’s County. The program, the first of its kind in the county, provides monthly payments of $800 to 50 youth (age 18-24) who have aged out of foster care and 125+ seniors (age 60+) for a 24-month period with no strings attached and no requirements tied to employment. Thrive Prince George’s is funded using both public and private philanthropic resources from the Greater Washington Community Foundation, Prince George’s County Executive and Council, and the Meyer Foundation.The Community Foundation will administer the Thrive Prince George’s pilot program in partnership with several nonprofit organizations, including:
United Communities Against Poverty (UCAP)- implementation partner for Seniors
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Prince George’s – implementation partner for Youth who have aged Out of Foster Care
Capital Area Asset Builders – Technical Assistance provider
Prince George’s Changemakers – Community Engagement/Advocacy
Studies have shown that modest guaranteed basic income pilots can decrease poverty by as much as 40%. Over 100 Guaranteed Income pilots are currently operating or have been implemented across the country and around the region – including in Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, DC, and Montgomery County. Thus far, these pilots have proven that guaranteed income is one of the most promising approaches to increasing financial stability. The positive impact of guaranteed income has been studied for decades, with evidence indicating that monthly cash payments can reduce income volatility and support recipients in attaining full-time employment, greater housing stability, improved health outcomes, and more.
Senior Citizens (60+)
Seniors, particularly those on fixed incomes, are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet due to inflation, historical inequalities, the rising costs of healthcare, and ageism in the workplace. According to United for ALICE, 52% of seniors in Prince George’s County are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE)— meaning they earn more than the Federal Poverty Level, but less than the basic cost of living for the county.Thrive Prince George’s will provide monthly payments for 125+
Seniors (60+) – with the goal of making the case for a more permanent and comprehensive investment in our Senior population, regionally. United Communities Against Poverty (UCAP) will oversee the application process and facilitate payments to participating Senior Citizens. Participating Seniors must be residents of Prince George’s County, within the ALICE population, and living in one of The Community Foundation’s Priority Neighborhoods (see chart above)
Youth Aged Out of Foster Care
For more information visit www.pgcasa.org/thrivegi
The purpose of guaranteed income programs is to help lift more families out of poverty by increasing their financial stability and helping to create more pathways to greater economic opportunity. These programs are designed to put unconditional cash directly in the hands of individuals and families that need it most, allowing them to make choices about how to improve their economic position and what they need to prosper. Guaranteed income does not replace existing supplemental or government benefits, but provides an extra boost that can lift people out of the safety net and into a more stable life.
Thrive Prince George’s will give participants increased flexibility and financial freedom so they can live with dignity and be empowered to overcome whatever barriers they may face – whether it is meeting basic needs, paying down a debt, moving into permanent housing, furthering their education to secure a better job, or to stop working a second job so they can spend more time with their families.
Seniors (Age 60+)
Eligible Seniors will be asked to fill out a brief application to determine program eligibility. This application will be posted to UCAP’s website soon. A reminder that applicants must be Prince George’s County residents within the ALICE population living within one of The Community Foundation’s Priority Neighborhoods (see chart above).
Youth Who Aged Out of Foster Care Between 2020 - 2022
There will be no application process for Youth Who Have Aged out of Foster Care. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) will select eligible Youth from among their current service population.Those who have recently aged out of foster care or are in need of special advocates are encouraged to visit www.pgcasa.org/thrivegi for more information.
