Women United helps Middle Georgia ALICE families cover emergency expenses

Women United, an affinity group of United Way of Central Georgia, is focusing on working families whose incomes are above the federal poverty level but still fall short of basic living costs.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)- For many working families, paying for everyday expenses can be a challenge.

Women United, an affinity group of United Way of Central Georgia, is focusing on families who are working but still struggling to cover basic everyday needs.

Those families are considered ALICE households.

“ALICE is really an acronym for someone who works,” said Sylvia McGee, co-chair of Women United. “It’s called Asset Limited, Income Constrained, but Employed. So, that means someone who’s working, her wages are above the federal poverty level, but still, that’s not ample to provide for all the basic living expenses that she would need or a family.”

McGee says even a small emergency can become a major financial setback for an ALICE family.

“We are creating, I will call them initiatives,” she said. “One to help because an emergency, if you are asset limited, can really become catastrophic for you. So if you need a car repair, you don’t have to choose between repairing your car and not paying your rent. Through our gap fund you would be able to help you.”

McGee says supporting these families is part of Women United’s larger goal to strengthen families and help them reach financial stability.

She says Women United is about women coming together to help other women.

For more information about the programs and resources offered through United Way of Central Georgia, visit the organization’s website.