Speakers from Trident United Way shared details of poverty and the working poor in Dorchester County during the Chamber's Power Hour on October 18.

Meet ALICE, a vital segment of our community in the Tri-County area. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, and comprises families and individuals who work and reside in our region.

ALICE families find themselves in a unique financial situation. While they earn more than the Federal Poverty Level, they still fall below what is known as the ALICE Threshold. This threshold represents the income needed to cover basic necessities like housing, transportation, food, and childcare.

Chances are, you already know an ALICE member personally. They could be your friend, neighbor, your child's daycare provider, a server at your favorite restaurant, or the friendly face at the doctor's office reception. Shockingly, in our Tri-County community, 4 out of every 10 households find themselves below the ALICE threshold.

Despite holding essential jobs that keep our communities functioning, ALICE workers struggle to keep up with the ever-rising cost of living. This constant financial balancing act puts them and their families at risk of falling into poverty at any moment.

Nearly 128,000 households (40%) live below the ALICE threshold:

Federal Poverty Level 4-person household under $30,000 annual income

Estimated Survival Budget 4-person household under $60,000 annual income

Above the ALICE Threshold 4-person household over $60,000 annual income

Are you ALICE?

If you are an ALICE family, or you know someone who is, Trident United Way has resources that can offer support or you can connect with the 2-1-1 Helpline, which provides information about and referral to health and human service resources. The service is available 24/7, 365 days per year. It is FREE and CONFIDENTIAL.