Our Work » INCOME United Way Center for Financial Growth Summary of Our Work United Ways across the nation are working to cut in half the number of families and individuals who are financially unstable by 2018. Success would mean that 1.9 million working people will be on the road to becoming financially self-sufficient. To support this national goal in our local communities, United Way of Northern New Jersey conducted a study to help us better understand the struggles of many working families and individuals living in our region. This study revealed that many people in our communities do not earn enough to afford basic needs like housing, transportation, child care, food, and health care. Through this study, a population called ALICE was brought to light, typically identified as the working poor. Due to the high cost of living and a challenging economy, these hardworking residents find it difficult to build savings. One set back – a broken water heater or a costly car repair – can force ALICE into a downward spiral into poverty. 29% of northern New Jersey residents are struggling to maintain financial independence. Source: United Way ALICE Report As part of United Way of Northern New Jersey's commitment to improve INCOME, we launched the United Way Center for Financial Growth to help struggling families and individuals living or working in our region. We partner with local service providers, government, businesses, faith-based institutions, and educational organizations to enable families to increase income, build savings, and gain and sustain assets. United Way Center for Financial Growth Mission The mission of the United Way Center for Financial Growth is to ensure all of our neighbors have the tools to achieve financial stability. United Way Center for Financial Growth’s goals are: - To enable families to increase income, build savings, and gain and sustain assets.
- To connect residents with community resources that can help during difficult times.
- To match low-income residents with financial coaches who can assist them in developing personal financial plans that meet their goals, setting them on the path toward financial independence.
| 
