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United Way ALICE Project

United Way's Study of Financial Hardship

ALICE® – a United Way acronym which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed – represents the growing number of individuals and families who are working, but are unable to afford the basic necessities of housing, food, child care, health care, and transportation.

The United Way ALICE Report includes a series of new, standardized measurements that quantify the size of the workforce in each state that is struggling financially, and the reasons for why. These measurements provide a broader picture of financial insecurity than traditional federal poverty guidelines.

Why ALICE Matters
ALICE workers are essential to the fabric of our society. ALICE works in jobs that are integral to our communities, from child care educators and home health aides to mechanics – all workers we rely on every day.

The future success of our communities is directly tied to the financial stability of ALICE households. When ALICE suffers and is forced to make difficult choices, we all face serious consequences.

ALICE: A Grassroots Movement
This grassroots movement is gaining momentum in local communities across the country and several new Reports are in development. With significant press coverage, a fresh, nonpartisan, dialogue has started about the importance and fragility of ALICE across the country. Building on a project first initiated in 2009 at United Way of Northern New Jersey, and a growing number of state partners.

State Reports and budgets related to the United Way ALICE Project are available for the following states:

Contact Information
Stephanie Hoopes, PhD
Director, United Way ALICE Project
ALICE – Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed
stephanie.hoopes@unitedwaynnj.org
973-452-4982
www.UnitedWayALICE.org