United Way of Central Georgia ensuring issues affecting Middle Georgia women are “On the Table”

According to Brandi Rozier, the United Way of Central Georgia’s Vice President of Resource Development, 35% of Middle Georgians make too much to get federal and state assistance, but stand one crisis away from poverty. Rozier says this number disproportionately impacts women.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – This week, the United Way of Central Georgia’s Women UNITED initiative is leading conversations on the challenges women, children, and families across Middle Georgia face.

This is the fifth year of On the Table, which the Community Foundation of Central Georgia facilitates. Kathryn Dennis, the President of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, says women meeting in person and connecting on these issues is important, as individuals benefit most from each other.

“United Way, the government, foundations, that’s who people think should help,” Dennis said. “But in the end, it’s citizens helping each other.”

Dennis says she’s heard women offer solutions to a number of issues this week, mainly housing, childcare and education and financial stability. She believes a huge barrier for struggling families is often times not being able to speak on their needs openly to get the help they need from those around them.

“It doesn’t just necessarily take money,” Dennis said. “A lot of times it just takes figuring out what your little piece of the puzzle is.”

The theme of Thursday’s On the Table events in Macon was ALICE, which stands for asset limited, income constrained, employed. Brandi Rozier is the United Way of Central Georgia’s Vice President of Resource Development. Rozier says ALICE families make slightly more than the threshold of qualifying for federal and state assistance, giving them a limited margin for error. She says 35% of Middle Georgians fall under this category, a number disproportionately affecting women.

“They’re working families and individuals that might be struggling or might be one paycheck away from a crisis,” Rozier said. 

Rozier says attendees discussed possible solutions which included increased efforts by nonprofits and hardship funds from employers to help struggling workers. But she echoed Dennis’s sentiment that financial independence is more attainable when you’re open about the challenges you face as you might find a neighbor who can lend a helping hand.

“It’s not about giving a handout,” Rozier said. “It’s about giving a hand up to those in a situation or when they’re facing a crisis.” 

On the Table events continue across Middle Georgia tonight and all day Friday. To find the nearest event, click here.