Getting Ahead: A Program Close to My Heart, Built for ALICE Families
At United Way of Northern New York, we believe in the strength and resilience of our neighbors, people who work hard every day to build a better life for themselves and their families. That’s why I’m especially proud to share that we’re launching Getting Ahead in the Workplace, a 16-week program designed to help individuals strengthen their careers, grow their resources, and take control of their futures.
Our investigators will meet weekly at Flower Memorial Library in Watertown, starting August 27, 2025. The group will gather Wednesday evenings from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., sharing meals, ideas, and strategies for navigating the workplace, building stability, and planning for long-term success. Click here to download the flyer and application. Space is limited, and participation includes an application process.
This program is a natural extension of our work with ALICE families, those who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are hardworking people who do everything right yet still find themselves struggling to make ends meet. Getting Ahead in the Workplace offers tools and support to help them move from surviving to thriving.
I’ve been fortunate to help bring this work to our community. When we introduced Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin’-By World to the North Country back in 2017, I never imagined how far it would go. Phil DeVol, the author of Getting Ahead, once described my role as that of a catalyst because that’s what it takes to spark a flame and help new ideas take root. Since then, the local Bridges work has grown beyond any one person or organization, thanks to so many dedicated partners, facilitators, and participants. I’m proud to have played a small role in helping others change the trajectory of their lives, and I’m honored to help launch the North Country’s first Getting Ahead in the Workplace workshop.
I encourage you to get involved there are so many meaningful ways to make a difference. You can provide financial support, sponsor a meal for a workshop session, take part in the community assessment portion of the program, or attend a graduation to cheer on our participants. You can also support our Race Against Poverty on September 27, an annual event in downtown Watertown, with proceeds fueling future Getting Ahead workshops. Every contribution, large or small, helps create new possibilities for hardworking neighbors striving to build a more stable future.
If you or someone you know is interested in applying or if you’d like to help support this important work, please reach out to me directly at dawn.cole@unitedway-nny.org or (315) 755-1422.
Together, we can help our neighbors not just get by — but truly get ahead.
Special thanks to the following partners for their support of the North Country’s inaugural Getting Ahead in the Workplace workshop: