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You are about to put yourself in the shoes of a typical ALICE® family. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE families are those that have earnings above the Federal Poverty Level, but below a basic cost-of-living threshold. 23% of Wisconsin families are ALICE. When combined with those in poverty, 34% of Wisconsin households are experiencing financial hardship.

ALICE educates our children, keeps us healthy, and makes our quality of life possible. But these low-wage jobs, often in the service sector, do not pay enough for ALICE to live on – and that was before the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the next few minutes, you'll experience some of the tough choices that these families have to make every single day and how United Way is doing all that we can to help them along the way.

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

  • Grocery Stockroom Associate

    $15.50/hour, 3rd shift, 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.,5 days a week

    59% of all jobs in Wisconsin pay less than $20 per hour, with more than half of those paying less than $15 an hour. Learn More

    ALICE works hard to keep our economy running by working behind cash registers, fixing our cars, and caring for our young and our elderly. Close

  • Retail Salesperson

    $12.25/hour, Part-time, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5 days a week

    59% of all jobs in Wisconsin pay less than $20 per hour, with more than half of those paying less than $15 an hour. Learn More

    ALICE works hard to keep our economy running by working behind cash registers, fixing our cars, and caring for our young and our elderly. Close

  • Waitstaff at Local Restaurant

    $8.50/hour plus tips, Full-time evenings, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.,5 days a week

    59% of all jobs in Wisconsin pay less than $20 per hour, with more than half of those paying less than $15 an hour. Learn More

    ALICE works hard to keep our economy running by working behind cash registers, fixing our cars, and caring for our young and our elderly. Close

Decide where you're going to live

  • Single-Family Homeowner

    Small house with 3 bedrooms

    Homeownership rates in Wisconsin have declined, especially among young adults, first-time homebuyers, and Black and Hispanic families. Learn More

    It is often more economical for ALICE households to buy a home but many have difficulty saving enough for a down payment and do not qualify for a traditional low-rate mortgage. Close

  • Apartment Rental 1

    2-bedroom unit in a large complex

    Renters in Wisconsin need to earn more than $17 per hour to afford a two-bedroom apartment without overstretching their budgets. Learn More

    It is often more economical for ALICE households to buy a home but many have difficulty saving enough for a down payment and do not qualify for a traditional low-rate mortgage. Close

  • Apartment Rental 2

    2-bedroom unit in an old house

    Renters in Wisconsin need to earn more than $17 per hour to afford a two-bedroom apartment without overstretching their budgets. Learn More

    It is often more economical for ALICE households to buy a home but many have difficulty saving enough for a down payment and do not qualify for a traditional low-rate mortgage. Close

Choose your Childcare

  • Accredited Center-Based Childcare

    Your children are cared for in a high-quality center with social development and a structured early learning curriculum.

    Child care 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. Child care for two children accounts for 23% of an ALICE family's Household Survival Budget. Close

  • Licensed Home-Based Childcare

    Your children are cared for by a licensed individual with other children.

    Child care 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. Child care for two children accounts for 23% of an ALICE family's Household Survival Budget. Close

  • Family, Friends and Neighbors

    Your children are watched in your home or theirs, requiring you to cover basic expenses.

    Child care 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. Child care for two children accounts for 23% of an ALICE family's Household Survival Budget. Close

Choose your Transportation

  • Car

    You and your partner have one car that is paid for. You have to pay for insurance and gas every month.

    There is limited public transportation in Wisconsin making it essential for most households to have a car. Without one, it's difficult to get to work, shop for food or transport kids to childcare, school or other activities.

  • Bus

    You and your partner each have a monthly bus pass.

    There is limited public transportation in Wisconsin making it essential for most households to have a car. Without one, it's difficult to get to work, shop for food or transport kids to childcare, school or other activities.

Choose your Food

  • Fresh

    All of the freshest and healthiest options available to you including name brands

    In Wisconsin, 1 in 11 people struggles with hunger. Learn More

    Many ALICE families make too much money for SNAP benefits (food stamps) but cannot afford to purchase enough healthy food for nourishing meals. Close

  • Mix

    A combination of fresh and frozen options with a mix of name brands and bargain brands

    ALICE households often lack access to healthy and affordable food as well as the time to prepare it. Learn More

    Many ALICE families make too much money for SNAP benefits (food stamps) but cannot afford to purchase enough healthy food for nourishing meals. Close

  • Low Cost

    Limited amounts of healthy options with lots of frozen and processed foods and bargain brands

    More than 9% of Wisconsin households are food insecure and 1 in 7 children struggles with hunger. Learn More

    Many ALICE families make too much money for SNAP benefits (food stamps) but cannot afford to purchase enough healthy food for nourishing meals. Close