United Way Ramps Up Support
for Paycheck-to-Paycheck Households
United Ways move ALICE® towards financial stability through programs specific to each region of the state.
Rocky Hill, Conn. -
Connecticut United Ways fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community and have released a new video to call attention to this important work: United WE WIN in Connecticut.
While the 15 United Ways across Connecticut are independent 501(c)(3) organizations, they share a common mission: to improve the lives of hard-working, struggling households that United Way calls ALICE
(Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). United Ways are calling attention to the myriad of ways in which each independent organization tailors its programmatic work to meet the needs of paycheck-to-paycheck households in every community in our state.
"Across the state of Connecticut, United Way is on the ground, addressing many of the needs of struggling individuals and families," said Richard Porth, President and CEO of United Way of Connecticut. "Those programs and initiatives led by each of our state's 15 independent United Ways are very much tailored to the specific needs to be addressed in each community, directed by volunteers from the community."
Often similar needs are echoed across communities, which leads Connecticut United Ways to come together to find solutions that can be relevant statewide. This spring United Ways worked together to bring the EARN matched savings program to households across Connecticut. The program helps participants build savings for an emergency fund or to fund a larger asset purchase, such as a car. Connecticut United Ways also support the Volunteer Income Tax Program (VITA), a partnership that provides free income tax filing services and helped return $55 million dollars to hard-working Connecticut households in 2017.
According to the updated United Way ALICE Report, released by Connecticut United Ways in October 2016, both the number and percentage of households in Connecticut struggling to pay for their most basic needs increased between 2012 and 2014. More than one out of four households in one of the wealthiest states in the U.S. are employed, yet still fall below what is needed to thrive financially. ALICE and poverty households combined account for 38 percent of households in the state, more than 2.5 times the number of households that fall below the federal poverty level.
United we can win! Contact your local United Way to give, advocate and volunteer. Visit
ctunitedway.org to connect with your local United Way.
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About Connecticut United Ways
Connecticut United Ways advance the common good by creating opportunities for all, with a particular focus on education, income/financial security, health, and basic needs - the building blocks for a good quality of life. We engage people and organizations throughout our communities who bring passion, expertise, and resources needed to get things done, and we invite everyone to be part of the change.
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