About

About United For ALICE@Work

Our ALICE@Work journey begins with our valued partners who drive positive change.

Local United Ways are the pulse of our communities, deeply understanding the challenges ALICE workers face – those hardworking individuals on the edge of financial stability. By leveraging data from the United For ALICE Research Center, United Ways gain crucial insights into ALICE’s daily struggles and tough choices. And at the core of every successful organization lies a commitment to its people. Employers have the unique power to elevate their team members’ overall financial well-being, driving business success and growth.

ALICE@Work offers a unique opportunity to invest in ALICE and partner differently in the community. ALICE@Work bridges the gap between data and human experience, fostering understanding and action. Through dynamic collaboration with local United Ways, visionary business leaders, and bolstered by ALICE@Work’s professional trainers, participants gain the tools and resources needed to turn insights into action.

Together, we mobilize communities, rallying behind ALICE workers and their families to create lasting change.

Our Mission

United Way of Northern New Jersey and its research engine, United For ALICE lead a national movement to spotlight ALICE. ALICE@Work advances this mission by recognizing the value of every worker and humanizing their experiences. By understanding their struggles, we foster empathy and drive meaningful change.

Collaboration stands at the core of our mission. Together with Local United Ways and visionary business leaders, we develop strategies to build resilience for all employees. By mobilizing communities and rallying behind ALICE workers and their families, we find innovative solutions, align company resources with community priorities, and create lasting change.

Investing in ALICE means investing in a brighter future for all. Let’s build resilience, drive change and uplift ALICE.

Our Vision

We hold strongly to a triad of principles that resonate deeply with our collective conscience.

Our History

In 2018, United Way of Northern New Jersey launched the ALICE Action Network to help New Jersey business leaders and human resource professionals better understand the financial pressures ALICE workers face and begin a dialogue around solutions. United Way held conversations with more than 400 employees and employers and received research contributed by the Center for Women & Work at Rutgers University. The combined efforts set United Way on a path to develop a platform where they could share examples of best practices and policies.

This set the groundwork for the evolution of the ALICE Action Network into United For ALICE@Work. We are grateful to our founding philanthropic backer, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and thought partner, United Way of South Central Michigan, both integral to our work.

ALICE@Work advances the mission of United For ALICE, a data-driven research and action organization led by United Way of Northern New Jersey.

Our United Way Partners

ALICE@Work thanks the unwavering commitment by our United Ways and visionary business partners in our communities. These organizations take action toward unlocking the potential for ALICE workers. Together, we create a powerful force for change, fostering resilience and empowering lives. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our growing number of partners for their invaluable collaboration, dedication, and contributions.

ALICE@Work CHAMPIONS

ALICE@Work Advisory Collaborative – Driving Success

The ALICE@Work Advisory Collaborative unites a powerful group of diverse business leaders whose strengths amplify and supplement the ALICE@Work program team. Together, they drive the ALICE@Work mission with a focus on three core functions:

Promote ALICE@Work
Serve as expert advisors
Shape program strategy

Their invaluable contributions to United For ALICE@Work place these individuals at the forefront of building resilient workforces and strong companies, leading to vibrant communities.

Carolyn Kennedy
Sr. Vice President Global HR Service Delivery, Chubb

Natalie O’Hagan
Sr. Director of Strategy and Culture, United Way of South Central Michigan

Allison Pepin
Founder & Principal Consultant, Diversified Transformations, LLC
Human Resources Consultant, United Way of Northern New Jersey

Bertha Garcia Robinson
Global Business Coach & Consultant, Star One Professional Services
Board member, New Jersey State Women's Chamber of Commerce (NJSWC)

Ardaman Singh
Chief Human Resources Officer, Greater Somerset County YMCA

Funders and Supporters

Thank You Supporters
We owe our gratitude and appreciation to the following organizations for their early and ongoing support and solid belief in United For ALICE@Work.

Consumers Energy Foundation
With a focus on helping local communities grow and thrive, Consumers Energy Foundation contributed financially to support the development of ALICE@Work and early implementation in South Central Michigan.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
In addition to the financial support, the Foundation staff has actively participated in the project’s development and implementation, lending hours of consultation and guidance.

RWJF disclaimer: "Support for this program was provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation."

The Provident Bank Foundation
The Provident Bank Foundation actively supports ALICE@Work, demonstrating its deep concern for ALICE workers during ongoing discussions on implementation and impact policies.

In 2022, The Provident Bank Foundation awarded a multi-year Signature Grant to support the development and launch of the ALICE@Work initiative.

U.S. Small Business Administration
ALICE@Work is funded in part through a Grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

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