PAYDAY$
You are about to put yourself in the shoes of a typical ALICE® family. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed. ALICE households have earnings above the Federal Poverty Level but below a basic cost-of-living threshold. In other words, they are in a perpetual struggle to make ends meet. One in four households in Westchester and Putnam are ALICE households. When you add these households to those below the poverty line, more than one in three Westchester and Putnam households are experiencing chronic financial stress and hardship.
For the next few minutes, you'll experience some of the tough choices that these families are confronted by every day, and how United Way of Westchester and Putnam is doing all that we can to provide them a greater measure of stability in their lives.
You and your partner have two small children — one infant and one preschooler. After an unexpected layoff at your place of employment, you find yourself scrambling to find a new job. Your partner’s monthly earnings are $2000.
But there is some good news. You have three real job opportunities. The interviews went well, so you have good reason to be optimistic.
Choose your Job
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Grocery Stockroom Associate
$16.50/hour, 3rd shift,
11 p.m. to 7 a.m.,
5 days a weekWorkers who hold third-shift jobs are often faced with difficulty finding childcare and transportation. Learn More
ALICE workers hold many important jobs in our community like: Retail Sales, Waitstaff, Home Health Aides, Office Clerks, Receptionists, Teacher Assistants and Childcare Workers. On average, more than 33% of households in Westchester and Putnam do not earn enough to afford the essentials such as food, housing and childcare. Close
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Receptionist/Office Worker
$15.00/hour, Part-time,
8 a.m. to 2 p.m.,
4 days a weekA family of four needs to earn a combined hourly wage of nearly $40 per/hr to afford the Household Survival Budget in Westchester and Putnam. Learn More
ALICE workers hold many important jobs in our community like: Retail Sales, Waitstaff, Home Health Aides, Office Clerks, Receptionists, Teacher Assistants and Childcare Workers. On average, more than 33% of households in Westchester and Putnam do not earn enough to afford the essentials such as food, housing and childcare. Close
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Home Health Aide
$14.00/hour, Full-time evenings,
3 p.m. to 11 p.m.,
5 days a weekA family of four needs to earn a combined hourly wage of nearly $40 per/hr to afford the Household Survival Budget in Westchester and Putnam. Learn More
ALICE workers hold many important jobs in our community like: Retail Sales, Waitstaff, Home Health Aides, Office Clerks, Receptionists, Teacher Assistants and Childcare Workers. On average, more than 33% of households in Westchester and Putnam do not earn enough to afford the essentials such as food, housing and childcare. Close
Decide where you're going to live
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Single-Family Homeowner
Small house with 3 bedrooms
In New York, 28% of households spend 50% or more of their income on rent. This requires them to make tough choices, often forgoing basic necessities such as food, medicine and in some cases, heat. Learn More
More than 55% of renters and 35% of homeowners in Westchester and Putnam are considered housing burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. Close
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Apartment Rental 1
2-bedroom unit in a large complex
In New York, 28% of households spend 50% or more of their income on rent. This requires them to make tough choices, often forgoing basic necessities such as food, medicine and in some cases, heat. Learn More
More than 55% of renters and 35% of homeowners in Westchester and Putnam are considered housing burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. Close
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Apartment Rental 2
2-bedroom unit in an old house
In New York, 28% of households spend 50% or more of their income on rent. This requires them to make tough choices, often forgoing basic necessities such as food, medicine and in some cases, heat. Learn More
More than 55% of renters and 35% of homeowners in Westchester and Putnam are considered housing burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. Close
Choose your Childcare
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Accredited Center-Based Childcare
Your children are cared for in a high-quality center with social development and a structured early learning curriculum.
Childcare is often the single largest expense for ALICE families. While there are subsidies for working families, some ALICE households exceed the eligibility threshold. Learn More
Those ALICE families that do receive assistance are often faced with difficult choices around career advancement - sometimes passing up opportunities to move up at work because they can't afford to earn more money. Close
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Licensed Home-Based Childcare
Your children are cared for by a licensed individual with other children.
Childcare is often the single largest expense for ALICE families. While there are subsidies for working families, some ALICE households exceed the eligibility threshold. Learn More
Those ALICE families that do receive assistance are often faced with difficult choices around career advancement - sometimes passing up opportunities to move up at work because they can't afford to earn more money. Close
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Family, Friends and Neighbors
Your children are watched in your home or theirs, requiring you to cover basic expenses.
Center-based childcare has been shown to offer higher quality academic preparation than informal settings. Learn More
Children who attend accredited childcare centers often enter kindergarten with higher levels of math and reading skills. Close
Choose your Transportation
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Car
You and your partner have one car that is paid for. You have to pay for insurance and gas every month.
14% or less of workers in Westchester and Putnam County use public transportation to get to work. Without a car it is difficult to get to work, shop for food and transport kids to childcare, school or other activities.
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Bus
You and your partner each have a monthly bus pass.
14% or less of workers in Westchester and Putnam County use public transportation to get to work. Without a car it is difficult to get to work, shop for food and transport kids to childcare, school or other activities.
Choose your Food
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Fresh
All of the freshest and healthiest options available to you including name brands
The Food Bank for Westchester estimates that around 200,000 Westchester County residents are hungry or at risk of hunger. Learn More
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Mix
A combination of fresh and frozen options with a mix of name brands and bargain brands
The Food Bank for Westchester estimates that around 200,000 Westchester County residents are hungry or at risk of hunger. Learn More
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Low Cost
Limited amounts of healthy options with lots of frozen and processed foods and bargain brands
ALICE households often lack access to healthy and affordable food as well as the time to prepare it. Learn More