United Way Launches “United for ALICE” Initiative to Strengthen Financial Stability in Our Community

This month, United Way is proud to officially launch a powerful new initiative: United for ALICE—a movement dedicated to supporting hardworking families who are struggling to make ends meet.

ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed—households that earn above the federal poverty level but still cannot afford basic necessities like housing, food, childcare, healthcare, and transportation. While these families are often overlooked, the reality is staggering: 41% of households across the United States are living in financial hardship.

These are our neighbors. Our coworkers. The people who keep our community running every day.

Why This Initiative Matters

For ALICE families, financial stability is not a given—it’s a constant balancing act. It’s choosing between paying the electric bill or buying groceries. It’s delaying medical care to cover rent.

When families are forced into these impossible decisions, the impact extends far beyond the household—it affects the strength and future of our entire community.

United for ALICE brings these challenges into the light by using data-driven research to better understand the gap between wages and the true cost of living. This initiative equips United Way and our partners with the tools needed to advocate, innovate, and take meaningful action.

What United for ALICE Does

Through this initiative, United Way is committed to:

• Providing trusted, local data that reveals the true cost of living and financial challenges facing families

• Convening community leaders and partners to collaborate on solutions and share best practices

• Inspiring action through advocacy, programming, and strategic investments that improve financial stability

  
  

This work is not just about awareness—it’s about creating real, lasting change.

A Call to Our Community: Become a Sponsor

Launching United for ALICE is just the beginning—and we cannot do it alone.

We are inviting local businesses, organizations, and community leaders to join us as sponsors of this critical initiative. Your partnership will directly support:

• Research and reporting that drives informed decisions

• Programs that help families achieve stability and independence

• Community-wide efforts to create pathways to financial security

By investing in ALICE, you are investing in the economic health, resilience, and future of our entire community.

Join the Movement

Together, we can change the narrative around financial hardship and ensure that every hardworking family has the opportunity to thrive.

Join us. Partner with us. Be United for ALICE.

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities or how to get involved, please contact Marci Snyder Crawford, Executive Director, at 740-264-9000 or mcrawford@unitedway-jc.org.