Three Days That Could Change the Future for Millions of People
by Kathleen Cannon, LCSW, President and CEO at United Way Broward
According to United Way’s research, nearly 40% of all U.S. households fall into the ALICE threshold. These people are working hard, sometimes holding two or three jobs, but their wages still are not enough to cover the rising costs of essentials. They live one emergency away from financial crisis — a car repair, medical bill, higher cost for health insurance, or rent increase can push them into below the poverty level.
United Way has long been committed to strengthening communities, and both in Broward County and across the U.S., we have sharpened our focus to assist people who are employed yet financially insecure. We recognize traditional poverty measures fail to capture the reality of millions of households. By redefining the conversation around financial hardships, United Way ensures the needs of households who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) are visible in data, policy, and program design.
ALICE households are the backbone of our communities. They include:
· Childcare workers who nurture children, but cannot afford quality childcare for their own
· Home health aides who care for the elderly, yet struggle to pay for healthcare themselves
· Retail clerks and delivery drivers who keep commerce moving, but face unstable housing situations
· Teachers and first responders who serve the public, yet often juggle multiple jobs to make ends meet
United Way’s focus on ALICE is driven by several key priorities:
· Systemic changes — advocating for policies addressing barriers such as affordable housing, childcare access, and healthcare coverage
· Community solutions — partnering with a cross-section of local organizations to pilot programs delivering direct benefits to ALICE households, such as financial-literacy workshops and workforce-development initiatives
· Data-driven advocacy — leveraging the ALICE Report to provide policymakers with accurate, localized data on the costs of living and the number of households struggling to make ends meet
· Equity and inclusion — ensuring hardworking people are not excluded from support simply because they earn wages above the poverty line
Next month, from January 5 to January 7, the National ALICE Summit will spotlight the struggles of millions of working families living paycheck to paycheck and how United Ways around the U.S. are improving millions of lives through innovative solutions.
This gathering is part of the movement to help people who earn above the federal poverty level but still cannot afford basic necessities, such as housing, childcare, food, transportation, and healthcare. They represent a hidden majority in our society’s workforce, often overlooked in policy debates yet essential to the functioning of all local economies.
Organized by United Way of Northern New Jersey and the United for ALICE initiative, this landmark event will be held at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, convening over 700 national leaders, advocates, and changemakers.
Features of the 2026 National ALICE Summit include:
· Dynamic keynote speakers — bringing together national leaders in equity, economics, and social innovation to share strategies for uplifting people in the ALICE threshold
· 55+ sessions — covering fundraising efforts, engagement, policy innovation, and cross-sector collaboration
· Special programming — providing sessions like “Scaling Justice for ALICE: A Community-Based Approach to Civil Legal Help,” which will explore how community-justice workers can close the gaps related to civil justice
· Networking opportunities — helping attendees from nonprofits, corporations, foundations, and government to build long-term partnerships
· Celebratory events — energizing participants with welcome festivities and exhibits showcasing the variety of innovative programs
Without question, the primary focus of the ALICE Summit is people. ALICE individuals embody resilience, but they face stress and uncertainty on a daily basis. Parents must decide between paying rent or buying groceries. Workers often forgo medical care because of the related expenses. Children in ALICE households may lack access to learning opportunities and technology that could shape their futures.
By focusing on improving the lives of people in the ALICE threshold, United Way Broward and all United Ways acknowledge economic insecurity, unfortunately, is a common, pervasive, and complex issue. Nearly 50% of households in some states, including Florida, fall into the ALICE threshold. Therefore, the implications are profound: reduced consumer spending, increased reliance on public assistance, and diminished community stability.
Hosting the 2026 ALICE Summit in South Florida is extremely relevant. With our diverse population and stark economic disparities, our region illustrates the conspicuous challenges ALICE households face across the U.S.
Rising housing costs, limited affordable childcare, and wage gaps are pressing issues in all of South Florida. Hosting the National ALICE Summit here in our community underscores the urgency of addressing these realities and it highlights our role as a tremendous force for innovation, collaboration, and impact.
We believe the National ALICE Summit 2026 will be a turning point in the movement to uplift working people. By convening leaders from across public and private sectors, we will amplify voices, share solutions, and strengthen the collective power to ensure ALICE households can rise and thrive.
And when people in the ALICE threshold thrive, then all communities become stronger, healthier, and more resilient.
If you can’t join us at the ALICE SUMMIT, you still can be a part of improving the lives of thousands of children, adults and seniors living in Broward County by making a donation today — any amount you can give make an enormous difference to the well-being of hard-working people in need in our community.