When Work Isn’t Enough: Understanding ALICE in Our Community

If you’ve ever met a parent who’s working two jobs and still can’t afford child care…
Or a senior trying to stretch a fixed income as rent and utilities climb higher…
Or a young adult just starting out, juggling bills, car repairs, and groceries…

Then you already know ALICE.

ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are our neighbors, coworkers, friends — people working hard every day, but still struggling to make ends meet. Learn more about ALICE and what it means in our region.

What’s striking is how often ALICE families are overlooked. They earn too much to qualify for most types of assistance, but not enough to feel secure. One unexpected expense, a medical bill, a car repair, can tip the balance and push them into crisis.

Here in Northern New York, nearly half of all families live below the ALICE threshold or in poverty. That’s not just a number. That’s thousands of families who are doing everything they can, working, contributing, showing up for their communities, and still falling short of stability.

At United Way, we see ALICE every day, and we’re committed to walking alongside these families. Our work isn’t about handouts. It’s about building bridges to stability:

➤ Workplace Stability and Bridges Out of Poverty trainings that help employers understand and support ALICE workers.
➤ Getting Ahead in the Workplace workshops that empower individuals to assess their resources, set goals, and build stronger futures.
➤ Partnerships with local agencies and employers to create a community safety net that meets real needs.
➤ Connection to resources through 211 and direct, targeted support when it’s most needed.

We can’t do this alone. It takes all of us, working together, advocating for policies that reflect the real cost of living, supporting programs that lift families up, and simply looking out for one another. When we invest in ALICE, we’re investing in the strength and resilience of our entire community.

Let’s build that future together.

Thank you for caring, and for being part of the solution.