Neighbor News
United Way and The Prospector Theater Join Forces to Raise Awareness About Struggling Working Individuals and Families
"Paycheck to Paycheck" film screening and panel discussion to focus on the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population.
United Way of Western Connecticut, in partnership with the Prospector Theater, will host a special screening of the HBO documentary “Paycheck to Paycheck: The Life and Times of Katrina Gilbert,” on Tuesday, May 5, 2015, 7:00 p.m., at the Prospector Theater, 25 Prospect Street, Ridgefield, CT.
The film will be followed by panel discussion of Connecticut’s ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population and the real struggles they face in our community. Panelists include: Al Almeida, Command Sergeant Major 94th Training Division, Danbury, who will speak about the veteran population; Ellen Bromley, Director of Social Services for the City of Stamford, who will speak about the senior population; Dr. William R. Glass, Deputy Superintendent, Danbury Public Schools, who will speak about children and families; and Valerie Jensen, visionary and founder of the Prospector Theater, Ridgefield, who will speak about the disabled population.
This past November, United Ways across Connecticut and in five other states joined forces to release a statewide study on the struggles faced by many working families, a population called ALICE – Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. The report revealed that 35% of households in Connecticut are living paycheck to paycheck, forced to choose between putting food on the table and paying bills. This group earns too much to qualify for government support and many social service programs, yet find it difficult to make ends meet every month.
The HBO Documentary “Paycheck to Paycheck: The Life and Times of Katrina Gilbert” tells the story of one ALICE, a working mother of three struggling to keep her family financially stable. We all know someone like Katrina. This often overlooked population is a part of every town in Connecticut. They are our friends, neighbors and co-workers. They might be nurses, daycare workers, school bus drivers, and mechanics in your community. They are people who we rely on every single day. When ALICE fails, the whole community suffers. That’s why UWWC is committed to raising awareness about the struggles that ALICE individuals and families face in our community and to making a difference in their lives by offering services, programs and support.
“We are honored to be partnering with the Prospector Theater to raise awareness about the challenges that so many hard-working individuals and families are facing in our community,” said Kim Morgan, CEO of United Way of Western Connecticut. “Our distinguished panelists will bring unique perspectives from their stakeholder groups to help us better understand the needs of those who are struggling and how we as a community can make a difference. All are welcome to come and be a part the conversation.”
For more information or to register, please visit: http://www.uwwesternct.org/paycheck-to-paycheck
