A.L.I.C.E.

DO YOU KNOW A.L.I.C.E?

Asset-limited, Income-Constrained, Employed

MEET ALICE—Working, Striving, Falling Behind

At the United Way of Southeastern Idaho, our mission is centered around helping people we call ALICE. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are individuals who work hard at important jobs, such as childcare educators, home health aides, and cashiers, yet they still struggle to cover basic living expenses. Even though they earn more than the Federal Poverty Level, they live paycheck to paycheck and are just one emergency away from financial disaster.

For many Southeastern Idaho households, achieving financial stability seems impossible, no matter how hard they work. These families are crucial to our community, but they face daily challenges that can prevent them from reaching long-term stability. At United Way, we aim to provide connect the resources and assistance ALICE families need to thrive. Your support helps make this possible and creates a stronger, more resilient community for everyone.

Marisol's Story

The Power of Community and Giving

In Aberdeen, Idaho, Marisol, a hardworking mother of four, faced unbearable tooth pain that disrupted her daily life. With the rising costs of living, Marisol couldn’t afford dental insurance and had no transportation to get to a dentist.

During a rural outreach event, the Pocatello Free Clinic (PFC) brought their mobile clinic to Aberdeen. This mobile clinic travels to rural areas to provide essential medical and dental care. At the mobile clinic, a dental hygienist examined Marisol’s teeth and took X-rays, which were sent to a dentist. The dentist quickly identified a serious tooth infection that required immediate attention.

Understanding Marisol's urgent need, PFC staff scheduled her an appointment at their Pocatello clinic. However, Marisol still had no means of transportation. Thanks to the United Way's Ride United Program, Marisol was provided with transportation from Aberdeen to Pocatello and back. She saw the dentist and received the necessary treatment promptly.

Marisol’s story shows the power of community support and giving. Donations to the community fund enable programs like rural outreach and support for uninsured community members through the Pocatello Free Clinic. These programs ensure that people like Marisol can access essential healthcare services, leading to healthier, quality lives.

Your donations make these vital services possible. Together, we can ensure everyone has the opportunity to receive the healthcare they need.

Amanda's Story

“I experienced something I had never imagined. After being released from the Portneuf Medical Center Behavioral Unit in Pocatello, I found myself and my son homeless and jobless, this was a stark and frightening reality. The kind nursing staff at the hospital recommended that I stay at the Aid for Friends Emergency Shelter. It was hard to walk through those doors but once I did, I felt immediate relief. The facility was clean, new, and secure. The staff at AFF helped me to develop a plan. Through that plan I was able to secure employment and applied for housing assistance. I utilized the shelter services for about two months. Aid For Friends provided basic furnishings for my apartment. Aid For Friends provided me the tools to get my life back on track…I have never asked for help before in my lifetime, I am very grateful it was there when I needed it. I will always be grateful.”

David's Story

”When we moved to Bingham County seven years ago, we were raising our 3 grandchildren and we came to SEICAA on numerous occasions to help us make ends meet for food, utility assistance, and help with gas to allow us to get to medical appointments for my hand and my wife’s disability.

We only have social security income and that makes it impossible to accomplish the basics, let alone raise grandkids. On Thanksgiving we received a box from SEICAA which allowed us to have a nice family dinner. It meant a lot to my wife and I to be able to do that for our grandkids. During the last 3 years, with Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency’s (SEICAA’s), assistance we have been making it through these difficult surgeries and health issues. We are now down to 1 grandchild as the other 2 have graduated. All of this is the success story of our lives. We are in a better place today. Praise God and SEICAA for their help we could not have done it without help.”

ALICE Households are Diverse, but Financial Hardship is Not Equally Distributed

ALICE households are as diverse as the communities they live in. ALICE household data is available at the state and county levels by race/ethnicity, household composition (families with children, single households), and age of householder. We invite you to explore the demographics of financial hardship highlights inequities in the state and local economy.

ALICE Data

What happens when cash-strapped ALICE households are forced to make impossible choices such as deciding between a car repair and quality childcare, heat, or a prescription? These short-term decisions have long-term consequences not only for ALICE, but for all of us.

The recently released ALICE report, which provides a comprehensive, unbiased picture of and the first look at the extent of financial hardship through 2021 in Idaho using ALICE metrics since the COVID-19 pandemic began indicates that:

  • 43% of Idahoans are unable to afford the basics. Despite the increases we’ve seen to wages in the last 2 years, the faster and ever-growing costs in goods and services further widens the gap between a survival and stability budget for ALICE families.
  • Disproportionally, 80% of ALICE households in southeastern Idaho are single female households, compared to 25% for married households
  • The report also reveals that between 2019 and 2021 the survival budget increased by an average of 15%……
    • A two adult with two children (one infant and a toddler in preschool) increased by 12.3% from $54,096 in 2019 to $60,744 in 2021
    • While a two senior household realized the largest increase of nearly 30% from $37,776 in 2019 to $48,156 in 2021

Request an ALICE Presentation

See how you can assist ALICE in achieving stability, here at home in SE Idaho.

Join us in Empowering ALICE Families for a Brighter Future

As advocates for ALICE and poverty-level families, we know financial insecurity can be devastating and include poor health, education, and employment outcomes. However, there is hope…because the problems facing ALICE families are interconnected—effective solutions must be, too. And that’s why we’re all in this room today, because we are curious and care deeply about the barriers facing ALICE families and are continually committed to building solutions together that are right for our neighbors, towns, cities, counties, and states and Ultimately, we know if ALICE households can become financially stable, our economy will be stronger and communities more vibrant, improving life not just for ALICE but for everyone.

Your support can make a real difference. Whether it's contributing your time, resources, or expertise, together we can provide essential assistance and opportunities to A.L.I.C.E. families in need. Act now and be a catalyst for positive change. Every small effort counts – let's build a stronger, more inclusive community for all.

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