Do You Know ALICE?
You probably don't realize it, but yes, you do know ALICE.
ALICE is a United Way acronym that stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. In other words, individuals and families who work, sometimes multiple jobs, but don't earn enough to make ends meet.
The ALICE study worked to uncover the true number of households struggling, over and above those who live in poverty. The study challenged existing methods for measuring poverty and revealed a problem far more serious and prevalent. The result shed light on the actual number of households who do no earn enough to meet a fare bones household budget. Before this study, ALICE was a population and community issue without a name or face.
In Portage County, a total of 40% of households struggle to afford basic needs
ALICE households earn more than the Federal Poverty Level, but less than the basic cost of living for the county in which they live. Households below the ALICE threshold — ALICE households plus those in poverty — can't afford essentials. In Portage County, in 2023, 12% of households were living below the Federal Poverty Level while another 28% are ALICE households — for a total of 40%.
ALICE represents hardworking people who show up every day — often working two or three jobs — yet still struggle to cover basic needs. When household income falls short, the consequences can be devastating:
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Adults and children go without medical or dental care, or needed prescriptions
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Families struggle to put food on the table
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Homes lose heat and electricity
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Jobs are lost because transportation or gas is unaffordable
And these are just a few of the challenges our friends and neighbors face.
ALICE is everywhere in our community — your childcare worker, mechanic, home health aide, grocery cashier, store clerk, office assistant, and more. They are essential workers who keep our community moving forward.
When money runs out, families must make impossible choices: paying for childcare or rent, covering electricity or food, filling the gas tank or filling a prescription. The stress is overwhelming, and when an unexpected expense like a car repair or water heater replacement comes along, it can push a family into crisis. These short-term sacrifices not only hurt ALICE families today, but create long-term consequences that affect our entire community.
How is United Way of Portage County working to help ALICE households?
United Way of Portage County is committed to supporting ALICE households.
Through strategic partnerships and community investment, United Way helps bridge the gap for ALICE households by funding programs that address immediate needs while also creating long-term stability. From food assistance and affordable housing support, to health services and access to reliable transportation, United Way focuses on solutions that reduce financial strain and provide families with the resources they need to thrive.
In addition, United Way advocates for policies and initiatives that improve financial security and expand opportunities for working families. By connecting ALICE households to education, job training, and workforce development programs, we help build pathways to sustainable income and greater self-sufficiency.
Every dollar donated to United Way of Portage County stays local, making a direct impact on the lives of hardworking people in our community. Together with our partners, donors, and volunteers, we are creating a stronger, more resilient Portage County where ALICE families are not only surviving, but have the chance to succeed. You can help us by clicking here.
Information is from ALICE in Ohio 2025 report — United Way ALICE & Poverty in Portage County in 2023. It is based on 2023 point-in-time data. More information can be found at www.unitedforalice.org/county-reports/ohio