Spokane County United Way

Two full-time jobs. $15/hour. Still not enough.
In fact, two workers making $15/hour can only afford the basics in 7% of U.S. counties. That’s the harsh reality for ALICE families - those who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.

These are your neighbors, coworkers, friends — working hard, yet still struggling to afford rent, groceries, childcare, and health care.

💡 Hard work should pay off. But it doesn’t — not for everyone. That’s why the data matters.
Explore the ALICE Wage Tool (link in comments) to see how far a dollar really stretches in your community.

Let’s start the conversation. Let’s change the system.

Hard work should pay off.
But for too many families, even two full-time jobs aren’t enough to cover the basics.
It’s time to change that – and it starts with the data.

Check out the ALICE Wage Tool (link in comments) and share your findings with your peers. Together, let's build a future where every family can meet their needs.

Did You Know? 🤔
Over 1 in 3 households in many U.S. communities are ALICE—working hard but still unable to afford basics like housing, food, and healthcare.
ALICE families earn too much to qualify for federal assistance, but not enough to cover the real cost of living. They often hold essential jobs—teachers, caregivers, food service workers—but an unexpected expense, like a car repair or medical bill, can throw everything off course.
The ALICE threshold varies by region, but it always reflects the true, local cost of survival—not just the federal poverty line.
Every ALICE family is doing their best to make ends meet and build a better future. Let's take action to support them.

🔑 Last week we were honored to attend SNAP Power of Connection Luncheon — a powerful reminder of what a key really means.

Every time SNAP helps someone into permanent housing, they add a key to their Key Board.

It’s more than just a symbol - it represents safety, stability, and a fresh start.

Thank you, SNAP, for the invite and for helping unlock hope for so many in Spokane County. 💛

When a child graduates from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, they receive this special book, “Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!” by Nancy Carlson. Did you know that in Spokane County alone, 5,021 children have graduated in just a little over two years? That’s about 200 full kindergarten classrooms of early readers ready to learn!

Early literacy and childhood education are key to addressing systemic challenges like poverty, homelessness, and low graduation rates. By investing in children, we’re building a brighter future for everyone in our community!

Happy National Kindergarten Day!📚🍎