Brian Mohan is the city manager for Moreno Valley. He can be reached at cmoffice@moval.org or (951) 413-3020. 

Every year, many students in Moreno Valley face a difficult choice: Stay in school to pursue a degree that could unlock new opportunities or drop out to help their families make ends meet. It’s not a lack of ambition that pulls them away from classrooms, but the crushing weight of financial pressure. For too many college-aged students, higher education feels like a luxury they simply cannot afford.

In 2017, city leaders decided this challenge could no longer go unanswered. Moreno Valley, an Inland Empire community of more than 215,000 residents, needed a bold approach to help its young people succeed. The result was MoVaLEARNS, a first-of-its-kind universal basic income program that offers college students monthly stipends, mentorship, and career preparation.

Breaking the “earn versus learn” dilemma

At the heart of the program is a harsh reality: the “earn vs. learn” dilemma. Surveys at the time revealed that nearly 70% of Moreno Valley College students lived on less than $1,000 per month. Most were working part-time, and around one in five admitted to skipping meals to “get by.” Even with California’s minimum wage at $16.50 per hour, juggling multiple jobs rarely covers expenses.

For second-year career and technical education students — those closest to finishing their programs — this strain often derails years of effort. Too many individuals were leaving school just shy of graduating. City leaders recognized that unless something changed, the cycle of low educational attainment and limited economic mobility would continue.

MoVaLEARNS introduced a groundbreaking solution. Each year, 50 qualifying students receive a $250 monthly stipend during fall and spring semesters, totaling $2,000 annually. While modest, the support can help students buy gas to get to class, groceries for the week, or keep the lights on. More importantly, it eases the pressure to work extra shifts that cut into study time.

Students also receive mentoring support from city staff and college representatives, attend career-focused workshops like Career Day Academy, and volunteer 20 hours each year in the community. These touchpoints provide guidance, accountability, and a sense of belonging. As one student explained, “The money helps me breathe, but the mentorship helps me believe.”

Adapting to real needs

From the beginning, the city understood the need to listen and adapt. With support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, Moreno Valley dug deeper into student challenges. Interviews revealed that pressures extended beyond money: Family obligations, mental health struggles, and uncertainty about career paths were as daunting.

In response, the program broadened its scope. Workshops now include career planning, wellness coaching, and resource navigation. Group events build community among participants, reducing isolation and creating peer networks of encouragement. MoVaLEARNS evolved into a holistic support system rather than a one-dimensional aid program.

The outcomes have been remarkable. Since 2018, more than 400 students have participated, contributing over 6,800 volunteer hours. Nearly 87% of second-year MoVaLEARNS students continue their studies — far above the campus average of 50% — and their course success rates surpass peers by 10%. Just under two-thirds report GPA improvements, and almost all finish their programs faster than anticipated.

Most importantly, graduates earn degrees and land jobs. Post-program surveys show three-fourths of MoVaLEARNS students secured employment in their field of study, with most working full-time. A little under two-thirds increased their hourly wages. MoVaLEARNS is helping students to not just survive college but thrive afterward.

A win for the whole community

The ripple effects extend far beyond individual participants. As graduates enter the workforce with stronger skills and career readiness, Moreno Valley gains a more competitive labor pool. Local employers benefit from homegrown talent, reducing turnover and filling critical positions. Families benefit when graduates earn stable wages that break the cycle of generational poverty or financial hardship. The community gains pride in seeing its young people succeed against the odds.

“The success of MoVaLEARNS is proof that even modest financial support, paired with mentorship and career guidance, can change trajectories,” said Moreno Valley Mayor Ulises Cabrera, a strong advocate of the program. “Students once facing futures defined by uncertainty are now charting paths toward stability, growth, and leadership.”

MoVaLEARNS is well-positioned for continued growth. What began with seed funding from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge has evolved into a sustainable initiative funded through the Moreno Valley Community Foundation, the city’s nonprofit, strengthened by the support of key stakeholders, such as Amazon.

For like-minded cities, MoVaLEARNS demonstrates how a city can play an active role in education, not by duplicating what colleges provide, but by filling in the crucial gaps that determine whether students finish their degree programs or fall shy of their academic goals. But ultimately, MoVaLEARNS is a promise that the city believes in its students and proof that when a community invests in its young people, everyone wins.

The city of Moreno Valley received the Ruth Vreeland Award for Engaging Youth in City Government as part of the 2025 Helen Putnam Award of Excellence program. For more information about the award program, visit calcities.org/helen-putnam-award-for-excellence.