NEWS & STORIES

See how the four Gold Sponsors of the United Way's Commercial Real Estate Committee Legacy Event have committed their support to United Way of Northern New Jersey and ALICE families. Thank you to Alston Construction, Crow Holdings Development, Turner Construction Company, and WB Wood. Video credit: Paul Sanderson, Our Town Films

United Way Rise and Shine 2024, hosted by United Way of Northern New Jersey Women United, is a premiere networking event where 500 of New Jersey’s top women leaders unite to inspire, uplift, and change lives for families living paycheck to paycheck. This annual sold-out event brings changemakers together to network, hear motivating speakers tackle topics affecting women, and support United Way’s work to improve life for households living paycheck to paycheck called ALICE® - Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. Join prestigious Fortune 500 sponsors such as Johnson & Johnson MedTech, Deloitte, and Eli Lily and Company. Visit UWNNJ.org/Rise2024

Providing quality child care is more than just a job for Michele McEnroe – it’s a mission to ensure that the children who enter her home are prepared to succeed in life. Michele is ALICE and so are the families she serves. They all work hard but struggle financially. And, yet, failure is not an option -- the children are counting on them. Enter their world for a day and be inspired by their commitment to rise under challenging circumstances. Then, donate today to ensure this work continues: https://uwnnj.org/SpringAppeal

Providing quality child care is more than just a job for Michele McEnroe – it’s a mission to ensure that the children who enter her home are prepared to succeed in life. Michele is ALICE and so are the families she serves. They all work hard but struggle financially. And, yet, failure is not an option -- the children are counting on them. Enter their world for a day and be inspired by their commitment to rise under challenging circumstances. Learn how our United In Care program helps to uplift Michele’s business and the families she serves at unitedwaynnj.org/united-in-care

Learn how 2024 Legacy Event Gold Sponsor Turner Construction Company is committed to its longtime partnership with United Way of Northern New Jersey and making a difference in our communities. Video credit: Paul Sanderson, Our Town Films

Gabriel and Cherry are young, hardworking parents with two little boys, Julian and Mateo. When the pandemic hit, Gabriel, a wedding photographer, saw his business and income dry up. Cherry works in the insurance industry, handling claims. As an ALICE family, they couldn't survive on Cherry's salary alone. So, in order for Gabriel to go to work, and Cherry to continue working, the couple needed access to affordable, quality child care. They made too much money to qualify for government assistance, yet couldn't afford the high cost of child care. Luckily, Cherry and Gabriel are located in Warren County, where our United Way is operating United In Care, a pilot program with the goal of increasing access to quality, affordable and flexible child care. Part of the grant-funded program includes financial assistance for ALICE families. Gabriel and Cherry applied, and were approved for much-needed tuition assistance, which has allowed them to continue working while Julian and Mateo are being taken care of by Alicia, one of our United In Care providers. In this video, Cherry and Gabriel discuss how the United In Care program has made a difference in their lives. Thank you to Paul Sanderson, Our Town Films for capturing and editing this story.

Dawn is a working mother who does an important job in our community. She works to connect individuals with disabilities and their unpaid family caregivers with critical government supports. She helps individuals remain in their home and local community with the dignity and respect that they deserve. Dawn deeply understands the value of this work as a caregiver to her 15-year-old son Erik, who has Down syndrome. Until recently, Dawn considered her family middle class. They didn’t live extravagantly, but they could go on vacation and enjoy taking Erik to Broadway. But after a divorce, Dawn became ALICE. She found herself unable to afford classes for Erik, and an unexpected $1,500 car repair bill meant relying on her local food pantry for groceries. Dawn was referred to our United Way as she was searching for home technology that could help her remain in the workforce and keep Erik safe and promote his independence. In this video, Dawn shares how United Way’s assistive technology program made all the difference for her and Erik. Thank you to Paul Sanderson, Our Town Films for capturing and editing this story.

For ALICE families living paycheck to paycheck and households in poverty, the holiday season puts even more stress on already stretched budgets. With the community’s help, United Way Gifts of the Season distributes more than 6,000 holiday gifts annually to children, teens, senior citizens, and adults with disabilities experiencing financial hardship across northern New Jersey. Join with the thousands of individuals, groups, and companies who bring holiday cheer to those struggling to afford the basics. United, we can make a difference for families like Kim and Dominick, featured in this video, who otherwise might not receive a gift this holiday season. Visit uwnnj.org/gifts to get involved. Special thanks to Our Town Films (ourtownfilms.com) for video production.

Three individuals who were helped throughout the COVID-19 pandemic through the efforts of United Way of Northern New Jersey and its donors share messages of thanks. Hear from a construction worker who benefitted from emergency financial assistance when he became unemployed during the pandemic, a single mother who received free tax preparation services, and a wife and mother who received free technology that made it possible for her to continue to work and be a caregiver to family members living with disabilities.