WHAT IS A.L.I.C.E? AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?

A.L.I.C.E. stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. It describes hardworking individuals and families who earn more than the federal poverty level but still cannot afford the basic cost of living. They are the cashier who checks you out at the grocery store, the nursing assistant caring for an aging parent, the childcare worker who looks after our children, or the restaurant employee serving your meal.

Each year, United Way’s ALICE Report measures how many households are struggling financially. The most recent report, based on 2024 data, shows that rising costs for housing, food, transportation, child care, health care, and utilities continue to outpace wage growth, leaving more working families living paycheck to paycheck.

In Berrien County, the numbers tell a sobering story. Of the county’s 62,987 households, 39%—24,600 households, or nearly four out of every ten—live below the ALICE Threshold. That includes approximately 15,500 ALICE households and another 8,400 households living in poverty.

The challenge extends well beyond unemployment. Many ALICE families work full-time, and some work two or even three jobs. Yet after paying for housing, utilities, transportation, child care, food, and health care, there simply isn’t enough left. A single unexpected expense—a car repair, medical bill, or reduced work hours—can quickly become a financial crisis.

Some groups face even greater challenges. Single-parent households, young adults just entering the workforce, older adults on fixed incomes, and many households of color experience disproportionately high rates of financial hardship. These neighbors are not looking for a handout—they are working hard and simply need a helping hand when life becomes overwhelming.

This is where Neighbor by Neighbor makes a difference.

Every week we meet families facing impossible choices: paying the rent or buying groceries, keeping the lights on or filling a prescription. Through our emergency financial assistance, food and hygiene pantry, and compassionate support, we help neighbors remain safely housed, keep their utilities connected, and put nutritious food on the table.

Over the past few months, our food and hygiene pantry has experienced a 3x increase in visits, while requests for assistance with rent and utilities have remained consistently high. Behind every statistic is a family, a senior, or a child whose future is brighter because someone in our community chose to help.

The ALICE Report reminds us that poverty is only part of the story. Thousands of our neighbors work hard every day yet still struggle to meet basic needs. Together, we can ensure that a temporary setback does not become a long-term crisis.

You can be part of the solution. Whether through volunteering, donating, or sharing our mission with others, your support helps local families remain stable and hopeful. Every gift—large or small—makes a difference because every neighbor matters.

To learn more about the ALICE Report, visit www.UnitedForALICE.org. To learn how you can support Neighbor by Neighbor, visit www.neighborbyneighbor.org or call us at 269-925-5060.