Joseph Yusuf
I’m the proud father to a 13-year-old queen named Jakayla. I joined the PAB because I am committed to the mission of bettering the lives of young parents everywhere. Your child’s journey is a marathon. The best way to prep for that journey is love. But keep in mind, the love I’m talking about is TIME.
1. What is something you’re really proud of as a parent?
I’m proud that I’ve been able to show my daughter the full spectrum of what it means to be human—to be open to communication, open to guidance, open to love.
2. What do you want lawmakers to know about what it’s like raising children and making ends meet in today’s economy?
Please understand that our problems are not cookie cutter, and the solutions can’t be identical. Times are tough. Minimum wage isn’t enough. When it comes to parenthood, we need far more support than what is available financially, spiritually, in all aspects.
3. Why is the Child Tax Credit (CTC) important to you?
When I received the expanded CTC in 2021, it was a nice surprise and addition to support the household. I’m just disappointed that we went backward on the CTC and that my government continually failed me. They don’t have the best interest of the people in mind, especially those of color. A larger CTC benefit would allow me to support my household more effectively, and erase the stress of not being sure if I can make ends meet.
4. Why is it important to you that lawmakers expand the Child Tax Credit?
Because as a society, we want to continue to have kids and we aren’t all blessed enough to have a living wage. We need to invest in our families. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. We could use the CTC to give families the stability to build generational wealth if done correctly.
5. If you had $500 more for each of your children every month, how would you use it?
Some of it would go to savings—some for my daughter to have when she’s older and some into an emergency fund for our family. I would invest in daddy and daughter dates and make sure she has everything she needs for school without worry. She loves music so I’d get her concert tickets.
6. In addition to increasing the benefit level, are there other changes to the CTC that you think are important to ensure children and families can thrive?
Consistency! I wouldn’t want parents to depend on the CTC only for the support to be discontinued randomly on a Monday morning due to some group of lawmakers who can’t comprehend the struggles of parenthood. Allow the CTC to be a reliable form of additional support for parents. The funds received from the CTC also shouldn’t count against or take away from any other resources that parents use.