ALICE

Every day in our community, hardworking families struggle to afford basic household necessities. They face impossible decisions โ€” like whether to pay rent or buy groceries โ€” and one unexpected bill can leave them financially devastated.

ALICE is a United Way acronym that stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. We use this term to identify those who earn incomes above the federal poverty level but still canโ€™t afford basic needs like housing, food, transportation, child care and health care.

The United Way ALICE Project is a nationwide effort to quantify and describe these households. In collaboration with 21 states and more than 648 United Ways, the ALICE Project reports data on household budgets, demographics, employment opportunities, housing affordability, public and private assistance, and other critical economic factors.

At United Way of Greater Stark County, we use ALICE research to shine a light on the financial instability that exists in our community โ€” a far broader problem than traditional poverty measurements currently show. This research can inform our discussions as we work to find solutions.

 

ALICE by the numbers

0%
Number of Stark County households that qualify as ALICE
0%
Number of Carroll County households that qualify as ALICE
0
ALICE households in Stark and Carroll Counties

    Community Consequences

    Image

    Community Consequences

    We all have a stake in improving conditions for ALICE. When ALICE skips preventative health care visits, forgoes car insurance or receives substandard child care, we all feel the impact. Whether itโ€™s through higher insurance premiums or increased taxes, these circumstances influence the health, safety and future of our community.
    Image

    Our Impact

    Change is possible. At United Way of Greater Stark County, weโ€™re working to improve the lives of ALICEs in our community. United Way services like our 2-1-1 Helpline, Emergency Assistance Collaborative and Economic Mobility Center help households that are facing financial hardships. We also fund community partners who are addressing these community problems head-on. See our list of funded partners. With your help, we can create positive change for this growing population in our region.

    Research Reports and Resources