Who is ALICE?

ALICE might be your neighbor, your brother, or you. ALICE, an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, is a new way of defining and understanding the struggles of households that earn above the Federal Poverty Level, but not enough to afford basic necessities.

ALICE households include people who are employed with jobs that are vital to our local economy like cashiers, nursing assistants, and servers, but make less than the basic cost of living in their community.

ALICE households are made up of a wide range of people, including:

• Teachers, healthcare workers, and service industry employees: These are often frontline workers who provide essential services but are paid wages that don’t match the rising costs of living.
• Single parents and families: They face challenges balancing work, family needs, and basic expenses.
• Seniors on fixed incomes: Older adults who are retired or working part-time may also fall into the ALICE category as they struggle with rising costs.

ALICE is a critical part of our community’s infrastructure. They are the ones teaching our children, taking care of us in hospitals, maintaining our roads, and providing other crucial services. Despite their vital roles, they often live paycheck to paycheck, with no room for unexpected expenses and must make difficult choices such as deciding between quality child care or paying the rent. United Way and our partners are committed to designing, supporting, and growing systems that accelerate upward mobility for these households.

Batavia Numbers

About 5% of households in Batavia fall below the federal line of poverty currently; however an additional 21% of Batavia households are ALICE. This means that just over one-quarter of individuals and families in Batavia are living in, or are one emergency away from, poverty.

The ALICE Report

The ALICE Report is a research study developed by United Way and United for ALICE that sheds light on the challenges faced by this segment of the population. It examines the cost of living and the barriers to financial stability, revealing how many people are struggling to meet basic needs, even if they are employed.

Click on the reports below for more information about ALICE in Kane County and ALICE in Illinois. Images below are a snapshot from the ALICE in Kane County report which can be found in full by clicking the link. 

Why Is ALICE Important?

Understanding ALICE helps our community identify the gaps between income and the cost of living. It highlights the challenges faced by hardworking families who are struggling to get by but don’t qualify for traditional forms of assistance. These families often have to make difficult choices, such as whether to pay rent or buy groceries, and they are just one emergency away from falling into poverty.

How Can We Help ALICE?

• Community Support: By advocating for policies and programs that support fair wages, affordable housing, and access to healthcare, we can help lift ALICE households out of financial strain.
• Financial Assistance Programs: Programs like emergency assistance, food pantries, and utility assistance can provide much-needed support to ALICE families.
• Awareness and Advocacy: Understanding the challenges faced by ALICE helps create empathy and drives the push for systemic changes that make the community more equitable for everyone.

Supporting ALICE means supporting the backbone of our community. By raising awareness, advocating for change, and providing resources, we can help ALICE households move toward financial stability and create a stronger, healthier community for all.