ALICE
Analysis: Pandemic Hits ALICE Families Hard
Lower-income people struggled in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to financially stable households, according to a new analysis. “The Pandemic Divide: An ALICE Analysis of COVID Surveys” found a much higher percentage of lower-income people struggling to get by, having lost jobs and income, and wrestling with depression and anxiety. The report comes…
Read MoreRossie’s Story: ‘Absolutely There’s Hope’
If you’re active in the Battle Creek community at all, you might know Rose “Rossie” Miller. She’s worked with the South Michigan Food Bank, operated a food pantry, served on the Yes we can! initiative through the Battle Creek Community Foundation, chaired the board for what is now Grace Health, and served multiple terms on…
Read MoreBehind The Scenes: Getting The Full Picture of ALICE
When communities want to understand how local households are doing financially, they often check the poverty rate. But that doesn’t give the full picture of how many individuals and families struggle to make ends meet. “ALICE encompasses what was once described as ‘the working poor,’ but it stands for much more than that,” said Laurel…
Read MoreFelecia’s Story
Felecia Parker is looking forward to purchasing a new home this year, and planning to put in a garden with her children. She’s currently in the 21st year of her career as a medical assistant, overseeing remote learning for her 5- and 7-year-old, and actively searching for that new property with space for a garden.…
Read MoreALICE Report: Many Local Households Still Struggling Financially
Many individuals and families in Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties are still struggling to keep up financially, according to the latest statistics from the Michigan Association of United Ways. The 2021 ALICE Report, released today, shows 39% of the region’s 157,023 households didn’t earn enough to exceed the ALICE threshold—the income needed to be financially stable.…
Read MoreTask Force Turns to ALICE Data to Inform Report
United Way’s data for ALICE provided valuable perspective for the Michigan Poverty Task Force, which unveiled recommendations on Wednesday.
Read MorePartnership Helps with Rx Costs During Pandemic
The average American spends $1,200 per person each year on medications. For those living below the ALICE threshold, that’s a significant financial burden. Throw in a global pandemic and its economic effects, and that burden becomes unbearable. Fortunately, a long-time partnership between United Way and FamilyWize has eased that burden locally by more than $277,000…
Read MoreVirtual Dialogue Tackles ALICE Needs
Families struggling to make ends meet have a tough time under any circumstances. COVID-19 has made it a whole lot tougher. That’s the realization that sparked a virtual community conversation, “ALICE In The Workplace,” sponsored by United Way BCKR and MichiganWorks! Southwest. Around 40 people from the region’s businesses, education and nonprofits gathered online to…
Read MoreBlack Households Face Greater Financial Risk
Newly released data related to ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) shows just how closely poverty and racism are connected at a local, statewide and national level – and how much work remains in addressing racial and economic disparities. In Michigan, 63 percent of Black households fall below the ALICE Threshold (the minimum income needed to afford…
Read MoreKnowing ALICE: Jakaria’s Story
Building a better life isn’t easy. ALICE* households are reminded of this fact every day. But as Jakaria’s story reveals, having the right people and help available can forge a pathway to success. “I was in an apartment that I liked, and it was a good price and location, but it was infested with roaches,…
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