Join us!
November 12 - 19, 2023
This year, we've set a goal of raising $20,000 to help 40 local families!
Can we count on your support?
41% of our local population ...
don't make enough to make ends meet. That means that nearly half of our region is working hard but doesn't make enough to get by. These households struggle to manage even their most basic needs - housing, food, transportation, childcare, health care, and necessary technology.
These people - our neighbors, are called ALICE.
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 a bare-bones household budget.
When funds run short, cash-strapped households are forced to make impossible choices, such as deciding between quality childcare or paying the rent, filling a prescription or fixing the car. These short-term decisions have long-term consequences not only for ALICE families, but for all of us.
You could help make the difference.
You can help a family in crisis not have to make one more hard decision.
Deana works as a preschool teacher during the day and a caregiver at night. She juggles two jobs, three kids, and the stress of trying to make ends meet and create a better future for her family.
A few weeks ago, she got the dreaded call that her youngest daughter was sick. By the end of the week, all three of her kids had chickenpox. That meant Deana couldn’t go to work. Without benefits like sick time or holiday pay and no work-from-home option, there was no paycheck for Deana.
“I’m working so hard but feel like I’m spinning my wheels all the time to try to get ahead.”
Thankfully, the ALICE Emergency Fund was there for Deana and the VAN office connected her with resources to help with rent, utilities, a car payment, and even Christmas gifts for her kids.
“I was so thankful for the ALICE Emergency Fund helping my car payment. $500 may not seem like a lot to most people, but for me it meant the world! Thank you!”
You could help make the difference. You can help a family in crisis not have to make one more hard decision.
Help us raise $20,000, enough to help 40 local families with life changing ALICE Emergency Funds.
ALICE is only one flat tire away from financial disaster, one sick day away from not making rent. Just one unexpected expense can cause disaster for an ALICE family. But that is where you come in.
You could help make the difference. You can help a family in crisis not have to make one more hard decision.
Help us raise $20,000, enough to help 40 local families with life changing ALICE Emergency Funds.
ALICE is only one flat tire away from financial disaster, one sick day away from not making rent. Just one unexpected expense can cause disaster for an ALICE family. But that is where you come in.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Donate
You can change lives. Every dollar fuels our ALICE Emergency Fund.
Be a Part of the Conversation!
According to data from our Valley Assistance Network program, the most persistent concerns facing local ALICE residents are reliable access to HOUSING, UTILITIES, FOOD, TRANSPORTATION, TECHNOLOGY. Likely these are things you hardly give a second thought to. But what if they weren’t within easy reach?
Join us in raising awareness of the daily struggles our ALICE neighbors face by spending a day, a night, a week in their shoes. Increase visibility around these important community concerns and be a part of the conversation by sharing your experience on social media. Donate directly to or host a Social Media fundraiser in support of the ALICE Emergency Fund! Help us meet our goal of $20,000 to help 40 local families!
CHALLENGES:
Sleep on a couch or air mattress.
Cut the lights out.
No access to cell phone data.
$5 per day, per person food budget.
Use public transit or leave one family car parked.
Use the laundromat.
Choose at least ONE ALICE challenge for at least ONE day/night.
See the flyer here.
JOIN US! In recognition of ALICE Awareness Week, United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley and Women United invite you (along with your hungry family and friends) to join us for dinner and to join the conversation about the needs and struggles of the ALICE population right here in our community.
Sunday, November 12 - Saturday, November, 18, 2023
Girl Scout troops throughout the City of Winchester and Clarke and Frederick Counties will help collect donated food and essential items for local food pantries. Stay tuned for drop-off locations and
Wednesday, November 15, 2023, 10-11am
Community Forum on the Current State of ALICE in Northern Shenandoah Valley.
Stay tuned for updates! This in-person and streamed event will include leadership from multiple employers and nonprofits.
Thursday, November 16, 2023, 5:30-7pm
Presentations on Personal Finance with Navy Federal Credit Union
Stay tuned for updates about this in-person event.
Friday, November 17, 2023, 4-9pm
Dining for Dollars at TGI Fridays in Winchester, VA
Proceeds will go to ALICE Awareness Week funds. Stay tuned for updates about this in-person event.