Financial Insecurity Awareness Raised In Bucks County

FAIRLESS HILLS, PA —It's an alarming challenge.

One in 4 Bucks County households —actually about 27 percent —earn just above the federal poverty level but are struggling to make ends meet.

The United Way of Bucks County has teamed up with county commissioners to officially proclaim March as ALICE Awareness Month. The acronym stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.

“We commend United Way of Bucks County for the work they do to improve the well-being of members of our community. We hope this recognition encourages community engagement, offers support to community initiatives, and inspires collaborative efforts to address the needs of ALICE families,” the proclamation, signed by the Board of Bucks County Commissioners recently, states.

Marissa Christie, United Way's president and chief executive, expressed gratitude for the proclamation.

“We are deeply committed to shining a spotlight on the challenges faced by ALICE households,” Christie said. “At United Way, our programs are designed to help ALICE and to ensure that these folks can remain stably employed. ALICE Awareness Month is an opportunity for us to educate our community —to show how much we all depend on this population —and highlight ways people can help.”

Throughout the month, United Way is releasing a series of video testimonials featuring local ALICE families.

The stories will provide a firsthand glimpse into the daily struggles and tough choices that ALICE households face.

Rachel, a medical receptionist and single mom, appears in one of the videos. She completed the nonprofit’s LIFT United program, a collaboration with Penn Community Bank, the County of Bucks, and Credit Counseling Center.

After receiving financial coaching, Rachel qualified for help with a down payment and a used car loan backed by United Way.

“Because of United Way, I have stability in my life,” she said.

United Way of Bucks County will also host the ALICE Experience, an immersive learning simulation, on Tuesday at Vault Brewing in Yardley.

United Way staff will guide small groups through the month-long story of an ALICE family, including the financial decisions they must make. Community members are welcome to attend and can register at www.uwbucks.org/ALICEexperience.

Additionally, local community banks including Penn Community Bank, Peoples Security Bank & Trust, QNB Bank, and Univest are all standing united with ALICE by providing financial support for United Way of Bucks County’s programs.

Jeane Vidoni, president and chief executive of Penn Community Bank, was one of Bucks County’s first advocates for ALICE, carrying the message into new spaces like the Federal Reserve as president of the Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council (CDIAC).

"This proclamation is an important step in raising awareness of ALICE's challenges and reducing the stigma around financial insecurity,” Vidoni said. “Penn Community Bank is committed to supporting ALICE through affordable banking, financial education, and empowering partnerships —including with United Way and the County of Bucks. Local banks play a vital role in serving the often overlooked ALICE population; by working together, we can build a more equitable community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive."

For more information about ALICE Awareness Month events and initiatives, visit
www.uwbucks.org/ALICEmonth.

About United Way of Bucks County

Since 1952, the United Way of Bucks County has been improving the lives of county residents by uniting donors, advocates, and volunteers around the common good. United Way programs focus on the building blocks for a good life: a quality education, a stable income, and good health. For more information, call 215-949-1660 or visit www.uwbucks.org.