Learn About Us
How We Do It
For a growing number of New Jersey households, the struggle to survive has become a way of life. Every day, families make tough choices such as deciding between quality child care and paying the rent.
According to the latest ALICE Report, 1.2 million households in New Jersey are unable to afford the state’s high cost of living. That number includes those living in poverty and the population called ALICE, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.
ALICE households represent men and women of all ages and races who are working, but unable to afford the basics of housing, food, child care, health care, technology, and transportation. They are child care workers, mechanics, home health aides, and office assistants — workers we rely on every day.
There is no one "silver bullet" that will make the difference. However, through our ALICE Reports, we have provided a nonpartisan tool that business, government, nonprofits, the faith-based community, and residents can use to work together to improve conditions for ALICE and all residents.
United Way of Northern New Jersey is raising funds and investing in solutions that positively impact the people in our community. We believe that by securing racial and economic equity for ALICE we can improve life for all. We’re investing in ALICE’s future in the workplace, at home, and across the community. Here’s how:
Workplace Innovation: We are building a stronger workforce by advancing ALICE-friendly workplace policies and standards.
Individual And Family Success: We are creating paths to financial stability through education, training, and services that help families build careers and personal wealth.
Community Connections: We are preventing children from falling behind and family caregivers from emotional, physical, and financial collapse.
United Way connects people and organizations to solve the greatest needs of our community.
We provide the leadership, convene the partnerships, and develop the resources and solutions that improve our community.
Real change occurs when organizations band together to solve a specific social problem using a common agenda, common measures, and complementary activities. United Way brings several groups together to focus on our greatest challenges and implement solutions.
Our goals for the next fiscal year are to help vulnerable families overcome barriers and move toward stable work and financial security. Through our programs and advocacy work, we will help:
-
50 caregivers receive assistive technology
-
2,300 unpaid family caregivers receive the resources and supports needed to care for a loved one who is ill, frail, or living with a disability
-
8,000 financially stretched families receive free tax preparation and filing services
-
20,000 children access quality early education and child care
When a community comes together and supports one another with the same common goals — which is what it means to “Live United” — great things happen.