United Way of Northern New Jersey believes that improving life for all starts with improving life for ALICE. An acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, ALICE represents the growing number of individuals and families who are working, but are unable to afford the basic necessities of housing, food, child care, health care, and transportation. These individuals and families live in the gray area between abject poverty and some semblance of financial stability. What is startling is that our research shows that nearly one-third of northern New Jersey residents fall into the ALICE population.
Challenging traditional perceptions of poverty, ALICE is comprised of occupations essential to the fabric of our society - the child care educator who prepares your child for the future, the home health aides who care for your loved one, the mechanic who fixes your car ensuring you are safe out on the road. The future success of our communities is directly tied to the financial stability of ALICE households - when ALICE is forced to make difficult choices, we all face serious consequences. United Way is working to shine a light on this hidden population and to remove the barriers that keep hardworking individuals from achieving their potential. We are forging new and innovative partnerships, and mobilizing the community to help ALICE and those in poverty gain their stability.
United Way of Northern New Jersey, an affiliate of United Way Worldwide, is an independent nonprofit organization established through the merger of neighboring United Ways in January 2011. This regional organization combines the strengths, diversity of skills and experience, and rich histories of six United Ways to create more impact, grow more resources, be more influential stewards of our combined assets, and have a greater impact on our local communities, which span 1,700 square miles across five counties with 1.2 million residents.