Our superpower is our ability to mobilize neighbors, donors, volunteers, and partners from all sectors of our Wabash Valley community. And we unite toward a common goal: to help every person in our community thrive.
Working for Our Community (What We Do)
United Way of the Wabash Valley is dedicated to creating prosperity in our community, knowing that every family’s success strengthens us all. But we don’t do it alone. United Way serves as a collaborator and convener, working with community partners to tackle the pressing issues and eliminate barriers that prevent families from reaching their full potential. United Way mobilizes communities to action so all can thrive.
We believe in the power of people — united through a common purpose — to accomplish anything we set our minds to.
We are a Collective Impact Organization (How We Do It)
To create positive solutions for social issues on a large scale, individuals and organizations must align efforts and work collectively towards clearly defined goals. United Way partners with local organizations, an open process to any organization that meets the required guidelines.
As the backbone of an area-wide network of community partners, we use strategic thinking, research, and powerful partnerships to improve people’s lives and build a strong community for a bright future.
United Way of the Wabash Valley’s collective impact approach addresses people’s immediate needs but also works collaboratively with other partners in the community toward changing systems so that people can avoid challenges altogether. This includes new grant processes to support collaborative approaches to addressing poverty and family stability in the region. It is about investing in the present as well as the future.
Our Community Impact Fund invests in both direct services and the systems in our community that support those services. This includes long-standing programs to new, innovative efforts to solve complicated issues.
Community Partnership
Community Programs
Community Engagement
In the Wabash Valley, 44% of our households are ALICE.
Who is ALICE?
ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) may be a relative or friend. You may be ALICE. As cashiers, waiters, teachers, child care providers, and other members of our essential workforce, these workers often struggle to keep their own households from financial ruin, while keeping our local communities running.
ALICE earns just above the Federal Poverty Level but less than what it costs to afford the basics of housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and technology. These struggling households are forced to make impossible choices each day. While such hardship is pervasive, households of color are disproportionately ALICE.
With the Wabash Valley seeing the growth of low-skilled jobs outpacing that of medium and high-skilled jobs, this will continue to compound the problem as the cost of basic necessities continues to rise.
ALICE IS:
ASSET LIMITED
ALICE has no safety net in times of crisis
INCOME CONSTRAINED
ALICE’s income falls short of essentials
EMPLOYED
ALICE is working, yet not earning enough
What an ALICE Budget Actually Affords
An ALICE Budget shows what it actually takes for households to afford the basics. No extras, no margin for error. It reflects the bare minimum cost of living, accounting for essential expenses that allow individuals and families to work, care for their children, and remain stable in today’s economy.
Housing
Below average size and cost with utilities (e.g. one bedroom apartment for a head of household with a child)
Childcare
Cheapest legal home-based childcare
Food
No eating out with careful purchasing and preparation
Transportation
Gas, insurance and basic repairs with no lease or car payments
Healthcare
Basic out-of-pocket costs with no insurance premiums
Taxes
Income taxes, credits, Social Security, and Medicare
Miscellaneous
10% of the total for cost overruns and other essentials (e.g. phone, higher utilities cost, medical costs, fewer grocery sales)
Technology
Cell phones are essential for work, cost of 1 smartphone per adult with cheapest available plan
30,000 Households
Over 30,000 Households below the ALICE Budget Minimum
30% of Jobs
30% of Indiana Jobs Pay Less Than $15.19 Per Hour
$49,455
Median Household Income: $49,455
