Who is Alice?
ALICE in Northern New York: Working Hard but Struggling to Survive
In Northern New York, many hardworking families live paycheck to paycheck, unable to afford basic necessities despite being employed. These households are known as ALICE—Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed—and they represent a significant portion of our community.
Who is ALICE?
ALICE workers are essential to our community’s infrastructure. They are childcare providers, nursing assistants, retail workers, office clerks, security guards, food service workers, and more. Despite their vital roles, they do not earn enough to achieve financial stability.
The ALICE population includes diverse groups such as families with children, single parents, seniors, and young workers. For instance, a significant percentage of families with children in our region are either living in poverty or fall under the ALICE threshold, highlighting the widespread nature of financial hardship.
According to 2022 Point in Time data, the financial landscape in our region is as follows:
Jefferson County – 16% of households live in poverty and another 34% are ALICE.
Lewis County – 12% of households live in poverty and another 28% are ALICE.
St. Lawrence County – 17% of households live in poverty and another 28% are ALICE.
These statistics indicate that a substantial number of families in our region are struggling to cover essential expenses such as housing, food, transportation, health care, childcare, and technology.
The Reality for ALICE Households
- Rising Costs: The cost of living continues to outpace wage growth, making it increasingly difficult for ALICE households to afford basic necessities.
- Wage Growth Lagging: Many jobs in our region do not pay enough to meet the cost of living, leaving workers financially vulnerable.
- Financial Instability: Without sufficient income, ALICE households often lack savings, making them one unexpected expense away from financial crisis.
The Cost of Falling Behind: Financial hardship among ALICE households affects the entire community.
- Job Instability: High turnover rates among ALICE workers lead to increased training costs and decreased productivity for employers.
- Lack of Affordable Child Care: Many parents face challenges securing affordable childcare, impacting their ability to maintain consistent employment.
- Housing Insecurity: A significant number of ALICE households spend more than 30% of their income on housing, leading to financial strain and instability.
United Way is committed to lifting up ALICE through community programs and advocacy
Partnerships: Through local partnerships, we fill voids in available services by providing support to ALICE families.
Advocacy: We facilitate “Workplace Stability” workshops, encouraging employers to shift policies to allow lower-wage workers to gain stability.
211 Referral Line: With 24/7 access, families are connected to local programs that can help with individual needs.
- Awareness: We educate the community on the challenges of ALICE workers through specialized trainings like Bridges out of Poverty and Getting Ahead in the Workplace.
How you can help
- Donate: Support programs that provide financial coaching, job training, and essential resources to ALICE households.
- Advocate: Raise awareness about ALICE and the need for policies that promote living wages, affordable childcare, and accessible housing.
- Volunteer: Get involved with United Way initiatives that help ALICE families achieve financial stability.
Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient community where hard work leads to financial security—not continued struggle.