United Way Financial Independence Initiative

Financial pressure can force working families into risky decisions. Walking a tightrope, parents may put off car safety maintenance or forego a needed medication when there is only enough money to keep a roof overhead and food on the table.

These  ALICE^® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families struggle to live in our expensive region. For ALICE, tough decisions become part of a daily balancing act where the costs of basic necessities outweigh income and resources. Keeping up with bills, establishing savings, and building assets are simply out of reach, a reality with negative repercussions not just for ALICE families, but for us all.

United Way Financial Independence Initiative helps financially fragile households in northern Westchester and Putnam gain family-sustaining employment, access income supports, manage expenses, and save for emergencies and the future. Our targeted programs help ALICE families create paths toward self-sufficiency, improving outcomes and economic health throughout our communities.

To learn more about our work, explore the links below:

ALICE $ense

Many low-income families lack the know-how, tools, or understanding of how to reduce debt, manage expenses, and begin to amass savings. United Way offers free to use tools, guidance, and training to help these families on their paths toward financial stability.

Emergency Food Distribution:

During times of crisis and declared emergency, it becomes difficult for many of our community members to access fresh, food. United Way partners with local food banks to ensure that our community is fed in both Westchester and Putnam.

Essential Goods for Basic Needs (EG4BN)

In partnership with both local and national retailers, United Way helps provide our community with essential goods that help ALICE families meet their basic needs. By providing community partners with these goods, we hope to eliminate expenses for ALICE families with already tight budgets.

Free Tax Preparation + EITC Screenings

Together with community partners and IRS-certified volunteers, United Way of Westchester and Putnam offers free tax preparation services, saving low-income individuals the high cost of filing their taxes and ensuring all eligible credits are claimed.

Tools and Resources through 2-1-1

United Way’s 2-1-1 is a free, confidential, multilingual information and referral helpline open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. United Way’s 2-1-1 Call specialists can provide information about things such as food assistance, housing assistance, and abuse prevention.