A Step Forward in

MOBILIZING COMMUNITIES

ALICE

A community investment strategy that improves local conditions by addressing underlying root causes of

critical needs within the county.

What is MOBILIZING COMMUNITIES?

United Way of Ozaukee County 2014

United Way working with not-for-profit organizations, businesses, schools, churches, government, civic and

other groups to leverage strategic partnerships and resources to respond to prioritized community needs.

In early 2013 key stakeholders and general public were asked to identify the top issues of concern in their community. Here are the list of concerns that came out of those community conversations

The Mobilizing Communities Journey BeginsIDENTIFYING & PRIORITIZING NEEDS

Financial resources - including assistance for homeless, food, utilities, affordable childcare and budgeting skills, and affordable housing

Access to Healthcare- : Access to and receive appropriate and coordinated health care.

Mental Health – focusing on good mental health and preventive services including alcohol and other drug abuse/addictions

Youth development - life skills for youth, including work ethic, self-respect and respect for others, and avoiding risky behaviors

United Way of Ozaukee County 2014

Transportation - affordable transportation options, including public transportation available 24 hours a day/7 days a week

WHY AN ALICE REPORT?

• Focus on financial stability healthy lifestyles

• Data driven

• Increase community awareness

• Collaborative opportunity with other suburban United Ways

United Way of Ozaukee County 2014

Hello! My name is ALICE

ALICE is an acronym that stands for

Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.

ALICE households earn more than the official U.S. poverty level but less than the basic cost of living.

The ALICE population suffer at the hands of the current financial crisis, yet go unmentioned because they’re often not considered troubled.

United Way of Ozaukee County 2014

ALICE represents men and women of all

ages and races who get up each day to go to work but are unsure if they’ll be able to put dinner on the table each night.

They are our childcare workers, mechanics, home health aides, store clerks and office assistants - workers who make our economy run.

In Ozaukee County, there are 21.8% of the population is ALICE. The inability of citizens to meet their basic needs affects Ozaukee County as a whole.

United Way is committed to strengthening the ALICE population, which will result in a stronger community.

Who is ALICE ?

United Way Ozaukee County, 2014

Faces of ALICE ALICE may be an acronym, but it describes real people. ALICE may be a college student; a recent grad who is working and paying off tuition debt; a young family struggling to pay for child care so they can work; active duty military personnel; the underemployed working less than full-time and without benefits; a family caregiver; or a senior on a fixed income struggling with health issues.

United Way of Ozaukee County 2014

Source (data sources reviewed by UW-Extension): Fair Market Rent, HUD; Childcare Aware of America; Poverty in America Living Wage Calculator (wage = 40 hour week, 50 weeks/year)

What does it cost to live in Ozaukee County?

Household Minimal Survival Budget

monthly costs – Ozaukee Co. average, 2012

2 adults, 1 infant, 1 toddler

Single adult

Housing $ 866 $ 725

Childcare $ 1,795 $ -

Food $ 713 $ 242

Transportation $ 736 $ 306

Health care $ 343 $ 143

Miscellaneous $ 503 $ 169

Taxes $ 576 $ 278Monthly total $ 5,532 $ 1,863ANNUAL TOTAL $ 66,384 $ 22,356

hourly wage $16.60/hr. (per adult) $11.18/hr.

United Way of Ozaukee County 2014

Occupations by employment and wage

Ozaukee County, 2012 Ave hourly wage

Assemblers & Fabricators $ 12.68Production Workers/Helpers $ 13.69Retail Salespersons $ 11.29 Cashiers $ 9.14Fast Food Preparation & Serving $ 8.75Waiters & Waitresses $ 8.14Office Clerks $ 13.95Customer Service Representatives $ 17.24Bookkeeping, Accounting Clerks $ 16.29Nursing Assistants $ 14.19 Home Health Aides $ 11.71Childcare Workers $ 9.95Janitors & Cleaners $ 12.73Farmworkers $ 12.38

Source: Wisconsin Worknet - www.worknet.wisconsin.gov

United Way of Ozaukee County 2014

ALICE is one emergency from crisis

Costly car repair

Can’t get to work

Lose job

Can’t pay rent/mortgage

Homeless

“The ability to borrow in an emergency does as much to reduce hardship as tripling family income” - McKernan, Ratcliffe, Shanks, 2011

United Way of Ozaukee County 201

Next Steps

Beginning in 2014, UWNO is taking a new step forward to identify the root causes in order to create lasting change. This new focus works proactively to seek solutions to community problemsWhat United Way is doing to understand the issue

• Hold meetings with business leaders, local and community governments to get a broad range of ideas so we can prioritize and work for the greater good

• Collaborate with other partners and work together addressing the top concerns

• Review examples of best practices from other United Ways’ related initiatives

• Select data that helps explain the issue and can be used to track results

United Way of Ozaukee County 2014