Every day at United Way of Southeast Louisiana, we receive calls from hardworking community members who don’t know where to turn.
Maybe they experienced a job loss and can’t afford the electricity bill this month. Or an emergency room visit emptied their bank account, and there’s nothing left for rent. Perhaps they were offered a new job but can’t find affordable child care for their toddler.
These heartbreaking conversations bring to life the real people behind the numbers in the latest United Way ALICE Report for Louisiana. The Report shines a light on ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households – those that earn above the poverty level but not enough to afford the basics. ALICE households live paycheck to paycheck and face impossible choices to survive.
The best way to understand the difficulties for ALICE households is to listen to ALICE.
Voices of ALICE: Lydia & José*
Lydia and José are two community members who received assistance with their utility bills through a program offered by Entergy in partnership with United Way last year. They both shared how hard it is to keep up with the cost of living.
“Thank God and thank you, United Way, for having the compassion to assist citizens - young and old - who are often in the gap of being excluded from ‘a helping hand.’ Many of us have incomes that disqualify us from food, internet, or utility help of any kind even though probably 75-85% of our income is needed to cover our basic sheltering needs, leaving very little for church/charity, food, health care, and making the internet, insurance, or savings a struggle or a ‘toss up.’ I wish more programs operated like yours. If ever in a position to give back, I will...” – Lydia
“My partner and I both work 40+ hours a week, and still struggle with monthly bills. This past year has been especially difficult…This Entergy credit will allow us to add to our savings, catch up on other monthly bills, and purchase some necessities that we have been unable to afford over the last few months...” - José
Voices of ALICE: Ella*
When almost all your income pays for essentials, saving for a major purchase is difficult. Ella faced this situation as she tried to fulfill her dream of homeownership but struggled with securing a loan. She connected with United Way SELA through our IDA Project, which helps low-income households save for a long-term asset like a home, car, or education.
“Buying a home can be an overwhelming process, especially for a low-income family. There is a lot at stake, making it even more difficult to get loan approval, especially with limited sources…”
After completing the savings program, Ella was able to close on her home and create generational wealth. “This program is hopeful because it gives low-income families the opportunity to gain financial capability along with gaining an asset. There is nothing like the feeling of having something to fall back on.”
Lydia, José, and Ella’s stories show how imperative it is that we work at every level to create opportunities for struggling families to find stability and prosperity. Will you join United Way in fighting for ALICE households? Whether you choose to donate, advocate, or volunteer, we have a plan and the tools to maximize your impact.
Join United Way as we reimagine brighter futures for ALICE and us all.
*Names changed to protect privacy.