Rakiah Reives spoke and read a poem at the Rx Kids Detroit launch in February of 2026.
For Rakiah Reives, motherhood has always meant perseverance.
A Detroit mom of six, Reives has spent years balancing family life while working to build a future for herself and her children. Along the way, she completed training and education to become both a certified nursing assistant and a phlebotomist while raising her kids and navigating the everyday challenges that come with a large family.
Now, as a participant in the Rx Kids program in Detroit, Reives says the support she receives is helping her stay focused on what matters most: her children and the future she’s building for them.
“Honestly, I feel like it’s just faith,” Reives said. “There were times I didn’t know how I was going to handle everything — the bills, the kids, life in general. But you just keep going.”
Originally born in Battle Creek and raised in Chicago, Reives moved to Detroit as a teenager and quickly found a sense of home in the city. She has lived there since 2006 and says the community resources available in Detroit helped her move forward with her goals.
Programs like Detroit at Work helped her earn her CNA certification and phlebotomy license at no cost, giving her the opportunity to pursue work in healthcare, a field she says she is passionate about.
“That’s what really helped me further my education,” she said. “They helped me get the credentials I needed to work in fields I care about.”
Today, Reives’ household is busy and full of life. Her oldest son, 17, is high school senior preparing to graduate this year. Her other children range in age from 12 to a newborn baby boy, Jakai.
Despite the constant motion of parenting, Reives says the most rewarding part of being a mother is watching her children grow and discover their talents.
“I love seeing them grow and knowing that I’m doing my part,” she said. “All my kids are talented. I want them to know the sky’s the limit.”
A Voice for Detroit Moms
Reives’ advocacy for families began long before she became a participant in the Rx Kids program.
She had already heard about the program on the radio and had been encouraging family in friends in other communities to learn about it before it officially launched in Detroit. When she was later invited to speak at the city’s launch event, she decided to do something she had never done before: publicly read a poem she had written.
“I had never read a poem in front of people before,” she said.
Writing had always been something she dreamed about but rarely had time for. Her life quickly became focused on work and parenting. But when she had time, she picked up a pen and began writing down her thoughts.
“Some of the things I wrote started rhyming,” she said. “I didn’t even look at it like a poem at first. I was just writing.”
The poem she eventually shared at the Detroit launch of Rx Kids was dedicated to mothers across the city. It was a message encouraging families not to be ashamed to seek help during difficult times.
“Tough times come,” she said. “As parents we feel like we’re supposed to have everything figured out, but we don’t.”
Her writing also carried a deep personal meaning. Reives said she often used to write with her sister, who later died from cancer. The two once talked about publishing books together. When she stepped onto the stage to read her poem, Reives said she felt as though she was channeling her sister’s spirit.
“It felt like she was with me,” Reives said. “We always talked about using our voices to help people.”
Support at the Right Moment
Reives says the Rx Kids program arrived at a critical moment for her family.
Like many expectant mothers, she had stopped working during pregnancy due to health complications and financial stress was mounting. When she was enrolled in the program, the support quickly proved essential. The timing was almost unbelievable. The day after she spoke at the Rx Kids Detroit launch, her car broke down.
“We woke up trying to get the kids to school and the car just stopped,” she said. “The motor went out.”
The unexpected repair costs meant she had to begin searching for another vehicle.
“The money came in handy right on time,” she said.
Reives said she especially appreciates that Rx Kids provides support without requiring families to navigate complex bureaucratic systems.
“You don’t have to jump through all the hoops,” she said. “Sometimes when people are struggling, they’re already doing everything they can just to keep things together.”
The program, she said, allows parents to focus on their families instead of paperwork and strict program requirements.
Investing in Families
Launched in Flint in 2024, the Rx Kids program provides direct cash support to families during pregnancy and throughout a child’s first year of life. That critical time is when families often face the greatest financial strain.
The program is led by Michigan State University and administered by GiveDirectly through a public-private partnership funded by state investment and philanthropy. Since launching, Rx Kids has delivered nearly $27 million directly to families across Michigan. According to data released in February 2026, the program enrolled 7,022 families and supported the births of 4,961 babies.
Researchers estimate the program has also generated $46.55 million in broader economic impact and supported roughly 433 jobs as families spend the funds on essential needs such as housing, food, baby supplies, and transportation within their local communities.
Early research from participating communities has linked the program to more consistent prenatal care, improved maternal and infant health outcomes, reduced financial stress and greater family stability.
Dr. Mona Hanna, founder and director of Rx Kids and associate dean of public health at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, said stories like Reives’ illustrate the program’s impact.
“Rakiah represents the strength and determination we see in so many moms across Michigan,” Hanna said. “When we invest directly in mothers and babies, we’re investing in entire communities. Families use these dollars to support their children, stay healthy during pregnancy, and build more stable futures.”
For Reives, the program is more than financial support. It’s reassurance that families like hers are not alone. And as she continues raising her children and pursuing her career goals, she hopes her voice can help other parents feel empowered to ask for help when they need it.
“Your ‘no’ might come first,” she said. “But your ‘yes’ is somewhere.”
