HARD WORK IS NOT ENOUGH
ARKANSAS WORKS HARD
With a 4.4% unemployment rate, our labor force is one of the strongest in the United States. Unfortunately, more than 40% of hardworking Arkansans struggle to achieve the American dream of financial stability. These Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed Arkansans work long hours and often two or three jobs but still struggle to survive. United for ALICE supports these Arkansans by providing communities, businesses, and public officials with the resources and research necessary to support all Arkansans in achieving the American dream, strengthening our economy and communities. The future of our state is only as strong as the future of our workers.
Please join us in our mission by becoming an ALICE Champion.
WHO WE
ARE
United for ALICE is a national nonprofit organization conducting demographic and financial studies to provide states and local communities with the information and guidance to best serve the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed population. The cashiers, waitresses, delivery drivers, janitors, and home healthcare workers who serve us every day, go home to struggle to pay the next electric bill because their child needs medicine, or can’t make it to work because they had to sell their car to keep from losing their home. It is the goal of United for ALICE to increase opportunities, reduce barriers, and support the upward mobility of these Arkansans.
Despite being home to five Fortune 500 companies and boasting a high employment rate, Arkansas is headed for economic hardship. From 2007 to 2017, the expense of household necessities rose by 32%. This increase has resulted in more than 41% of Arkansas households failing to achieve financial stability. Only 17% of these currently meet the Federal Poverty Line standard for assistance. Additionally, 49% of the state does not have the financial means to overcome unexpected emergencies like illness and legal expenses.
WHY WE
MATTER
With nearly half of the population struggling to afford basic needs, Arkansas’s industries and workforce face a catastrophic threat.
Moreover, the retirement age population is quickly exceeding the working age population. Current projections show a ratio of 2.4 working adults to 1 retiree by 2050, a more than 50% increase in retirement age non-working adults by 2050. This combined with fewer healthcare workers to meet the needs of aging Arkansans means more and more young people will drop out of the workforce to assist with elder care in coming years.
SHIFTING
THE FOCUS
By shifting the focus of support programs from solely benefiting families falling under the Federal Poverty Line to helping families struggling to achieve the Household Survival Budget, Arkansas will create the financial stability necessary to ensure a thriving workforce and growing economy for the state and local communities.