United Way of Northeast Florida announced Oct. 22 a new strategic plan that outlines goals the organization plans to accomplish by 2030, including three new impact areas: healthy community, financial security and youth opportunity.
The United Way says the strategic plan’s goals are grounded in what the organization is calling its ALICE Promise.
ALICE stands for asset limited, income constrained, employed, and represents “working families who struggle to afford the basics of housing, childcare, food, transportation, healthcare, and technology.”
The ALICE Promise states: “We promise to develop and invest in community-driven solutions that address root causes of financial instability for all families living below the ALICE threshold. Through this work, we will increase upward mobility, access to essential services and community well-being for all.”
“At United Way of Northeast Florida, our mission has always been to help people thrive. Our new strategic plan, ALICE Promise and goals sharpen that focus, guiding us to create an even greater impact in our community and ensure everyone has the opportunity to succeed,” United Way President and CEO Melanie Patz said in a news release.
Founded in 1924, the nonprofit United Way says its mission is to solve the community’s most difficult challenges by connecting people, resources and ideas.
United Way said it seeks to accomplish the following goals by 2030:
• Increase successful United Way 211, 988 Florida Lifeline and Mission United resource referrals by 50%, plus close the loop on referrals to know which callers received the support they needed and follow up with those who didn’t.
• Help get 5,000 more young adults employed in jobs earning a wage that enables them to survive and thrive.
• Facilitate getting 450 senior-owned homes repaired and made more energy efficient.
According to the most recent United Way data, nearly 40% of households in Northeast Florida struggle to make ends meet. Approximately 12% of these households live in poverty and 28% of households are ALICE families that earn above the federal poverty level but less than the basic cost of living for their community.
The United Way said ALICE families are typically those working one or more low-wage jobs with little or no savings and are often overlooked and undercounted by traditional poverty measures. ALICE data indicates 50% of senior households and 60% of young adult households in Northeast Florida live below the ALICE threshold.
United Way of Northeast Florida is one of 28 United Ways in Florida and serves the needs of residents in Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns counties.
United Way provides direct services to individuals and families as well as grants to nonprofits.