News & Stories

During the COVID-19 pandemic, United Way of Northern New Jersey Women United volunteers continued to give, advocate, and volunteer to support ALICE families in northern New Jersey. They held virtual fundraisers, ran food drives, and donated holiday gifts to bolster families facing the outsized hardship of this economic and health crisis.

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.

RWJBarnabas Health, the state’s largest integrated health care delivery system, has brought an ALICE-centered focus to how they nurture the health and financial well-being of their employees, patients, and communities. RWJBarnabas Health received the 2021 ALICE Impact Award for lending its influential voice and support to the movement and as a change agent within the health care industry.

From a construction worker to restaurant worker to office worker, hear how donors to the ALICE Recovery Fund helped make a difference in the lives of some of the 700 families who received assistance in northern New Jersey.

Alpha Demmellash of Rising Tide Capital describes the child care crisis in America and how United In Care’s unique model will help fight this crisis by increasing access to quality, affordable, and flexible child care for working families.

New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker knows the impact of good data and how it can spur positive change. "Love in action," is what he calls our work to bring equity for ALICE. Join this #ActForALICE movement and tag us @UnitedWayNNJ to share how you are taking action to improve life for ALICE in our communities.

United Way of Northern New Jersey works to remove the barriers that keep ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) and those in poverty from achieving financial stability. In New Jersey, 1.2 million households were already living paycheck to paycheck before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. With so many families facing an uncertain future, the stakes couldn’t be higher -- for everyone. As we rebuild our economy, United Way believes that securing racial and economic equity for ALICE will improve life for all.

Charlene is a northern New Jersey mother who works full time and is raising her two young sons. While Charlene works to improve the quality of area child care centers she struggles to provide for her family. Charlene is ALICE: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. Charlene chose to share her story with United Way of Northern New Jersey in hopes that it will increase awareness and, ultimately, improve conditions. She says: “If we don’t discuss this, and we don’t talk about it, and we don’t raise the awareness, it’s never going to change.” Will you join United Way and Charlene and lend your voice to be #UnitedForALICE? Share your ALICE story and tag us at Facebook.com/UnitedWayALICE. Thank the ALICE you rely on in your life. Tell us what can help you if you are ALICE. Let your friends know you support our ALICE work. Special thanks to Born Rival Cinema.

Charlene is a northern New Jersey mother who works full time and is raising her two young sons. While Charlene works to improve the quality of area child care centers she struggles to provide for her family. Charlene is ALICE: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. Charlene chose to share her story with United Way of Northern New Jersey in hopes that it will increase awareness and, ultimately, improve conditions. She says: “If we don’t discuss this, and we don’t talk about it, and we don’t raise the awareness, it’s never going to change.” Will you join United Way and Charlene and lend your voice to be #UnitedForALICE? Share your ALICE story and tag us at Facebook.com/UnitedWayALICE. Thank the ALICE you rely on in your life. Tell us what can help you if you are ALICE. Let your friends know you support our ALICE work. Special thanks to Born Rival Cinema.