ONE TEAM. ONE MISSION.

THE GOALS THAT DRIVE US

Your Neighbors, Your Community: Understanding ALICE

Right here in Essex and Hudson Counties, nearly half of our neighbors are ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). These aren’t strangers – they’re the people you see every day: the early childhood teacher at your local daycare, the home health aide caring for your elderly parent, the small business owner who remembers your coffee order every morning. 

These neighbors of ours work hard but still face impossible choices daily – between quality childcare or paying rent, between filling a prescription or putting food on the table. With 45% of local households living as ALICE and another 12.44% in poverty, these aren’t isolated struggles – this is our shared community challenge.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors: The United Way Bridge

United Way of Greater Newark fosters positive change across 14 municipalities in Essex and Hudson counties through our commitment to childhood success, youth success, economic mobility, and access to health. We lead initiatives while also bringing together local leaders, neighborhood organizations, and community resources to create comprehensive solutions. Through our programs and strategic partnerships with trusted organizations, we’re ensuring help reaches your neighbors who need it most.

When you support United Way with donations or by volunteering, you’re joining a powerful network that addresses community challenges. From tackling food insecurity and improving education access to providing vital financial services through our Newark Asset Building Coalition, we understand that stronger, healthier households create stronger, healthier communities. We transform your generosity into real support that helps people move from day-to-day survival to long-term stability.

Empowering One Another

Our leaders help define our mission and values with continued investment in volunteer work. Our partners create a network of resources to help disrupt the cycle of poverty.

Our Impact

Service Area Impact:
  • Supporting 14 municipalities across Essex and Hudson counties, reaching 700,000 households
  • Community Need:
  • 45% of local households are ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed)
  • 12.44% of households live below the federal poverty level
  • Combined, 57.44% of our neighbors struggle to make ends meet
Program Achievements:
  • 20,000+ free tax returns completed through VITA program annually, returning $25M to local families
  • 15,000 children received new books through our literacy initiatives
  • 2,500 families received emergency food assistance
  • 2,000 community surveys completed for vaccine initiative
  • 500 small businesses supported through grant programs
  • 250 mental health training sessions provided to community members

Your Community, Your Impact, Our Shared Mission

Every dollar you give to United Way of Greater Newark stays right here, creating positive change on your own streets and neighborhoods. Every contribution, large or small, helps provide essential support to those working hard to build a better future in our community.

Together, we’re building a stronger, more caring community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Through programs focused on immediate needs and long-term stability, we’re helping change lives right here at home – because when one of us struggles, we all struggle, and when we unite to help, we all rise together.

Frequently Asked Questions:

ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are our neighbors who work hard but earn more than the Federal Poverty Level while still struggling to afford basic necessities like housing, childcare, food, transportation, and healthcare.
ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are our neighbors who work hard but earn more than the Federal Poverty Level while still struggling to afford basic necessities like housing, childcare, food, transportation, and healthcare.
ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are our neighbors who work hard but earn more than the Federal Poverty Level while still struggling to afford basic necessities like housing, childcare, food, transportation, and healthcare.
ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are our neighbors who work hard but earn more than the Federal Poverty Level while still struggling to afford basic necessities like housing, childcare, food, transportation, and healthcare.
ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are our neighbors who work hard but earn more than the Federal Poverty Level while still struggling to afford basic necessities like housing, childcare, food, transportation, and healthcare.
ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are our neighbors who work hard but earn more than the Federal Poverty Level while still struggling to afford basic necessities like housing, childcare, food, transportation, and healthcare.