Trident United Way and United for ALICE® Release Updated Data

Though wages have risen across the country at the fastest rate in four decades,

Tri-County households saw increases in the cost of living from 2021 to 2022 that far outpaced those additional earnings.

As a result, a total 131,809 Tri-County households (39%) were living paycheck to paycheck, according to a new update from Trident United Way and its research partner United For ALICE®.

That calculation includes the 35,898 households living below the Federal Poverty Level, as well as another 95,911 households, as defined as ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), earning above the Federal Poverty Level but less than what’s needed to survive in the current economy.

"Trident United Way is taking this data and putting it into action for our community," said Trident United Way President and CEO DJ Hampton

"We are awarding many of our Changemaker Grants to nonprofit partners who support ALICE families, and we will continue to work at the local and state levels to advocate for hardworking families and individuals in the Tri-County.”

Trident United Way and Transformation Table Lowcountry Announce New Partnership

Trident United Way and Transformation Table are pleased to announce a new partnership supporting Transformation Table Lowcountry’s 2024 monthly home-based dinner series, which began in April.

Photo courtesy of Transformation Table Lowcountry

In April 2016, Transformation Table Founder and Curator, Tina L. Singleton moved to Charleston one year after the mass shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church. During the memorial service at the Gaillard Center commemorating the tragedy, Dr. Bernice A. King, daughter of MLK Jr., challenged the Charleston community to fight hate by making meaningful efforts to understand and love one another. She said if Charleston was serious about change, we need to “get intimate. Go to each other’s homes. Have dinner!”

“Transformation Table is the response to that challenge,” said Singleton.

After meeting Singleton earlier this year at Transformation Table Lowcountry’s MLK Beloved Community Dinner at the International African American Museum, Trident United Way President & CEO DJ Hampton was eager to support Transformation Table’s goal of creating lasting change in the Tri-County community, a mission shared by Trident United Way.

Trident United Way is Pleased to Announce

Our Q3 Changemaker Grant Recipients

Trident United Way is very pleased to announce our Q3 Changemaker Grant recipients, which were awarded to organizations serving the ALICE® population, specifically organizations led by and/or primarily serving persons of color.

We are thrilled to be working with each of these incredible community-focused nonprofits.

Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach Services - $25,000

Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach Services’ (OLMCOS) mission is to build equitable communities and empower individuals to reach their full potential by providing basic and emergency needs, education, employment and health services.

HALOS - $25,000

HALOS promotes safe and nurturing homes for children in kinship care. Kinship care is when a family member or close family friend steps up to take in a child who cannot live with their parents. HALOS provides a comprehensive system of support for kinship families so the caregivers and children can thrive.

Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services - $25,000

Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services provides essential legal services to low-income individuals and families. We provide free civil legal services to overcome the equity barrier, prevent injustice and secure basic needs for those in our community who need it most. We empower people by providing an array of legal services, clinics, direct representation and educational outreach programs.

My Sister's House - $25,000

My Sister's House is committed to a shared mission to break cycles of domestic violence by providing comprehensive support, services and education to our clients and community.