The Challenge – United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region

United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region addresses the most pressing needs in our regional community. Our impact strategy focuses on specific, measurable outcomes and collaborative efforts that produce healthy, educated and economically stable individuals and families.

According to a United Way sponsored study of financial stability in Michigan, more than 40% of the households in our region struggle to make ends meet. Link to ALICE report

United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region is working to change the story for people in our region who are part of ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed).

ALICE represents a growing number of individuals and families who are working but are unable to afford basic necessities of housing, food, childcare, health care and transportation.

Without our help, individuals and households are forced to make difficult choices like skipping preventative health care, accredited childcare, healthy food or car insurance. Their health, safety and future are threatened. This causes Michigan’s economic productivity to go down and insurance premiums and taxes to go up for everyone. The costs are too high for both ALICE individuals and families and the wider community. We want to change that.

ALICE is essential to the fabric of our society. ALICE works in jobs that are integral to our communities, from child care educators to home health aids to mechanics – all workers we rely on every day.

The future success of our communities directly ties to the financial stability of ALICE households. When ALICE suffers and is forced to make difficult choices, we all face serious consequences.

Download the ALICE report

Breaking the cycles of school dropouts, poverty, and poor health in our regional community depends on engaging the entire community. 

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