MOULTRIE – The United Way of Colquitt County takes on the United for ALICE project as one of its key focuses this year.
Tyler Mobley, 2025 campaign chairman, told participants at the organization’s annual campaign kick-off breakfast that ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are households that earn more than the Federal Poverty Level but less than the basic cost of living for the county. By 2022, 9,450 Colquitt County households (57%) were below either below the poverty level or above poverty level but below the ALICE threshold, he said.
“These households, along with those in poverty, struggle to afford the essentials. Our goal is to support these families and individuals by providing invaluable programs and resources that promote a better quality of life for all Colquitt County residents,” he said.
Caroline Horne, United Way of Colquitt County executive director, said there is a significant challenge in Colquitt County for the households because they work hard but still struggle to make ends meet because of the high cost of essential living expenses.
“Our recent data from the 2024 ALICE Report reveals that 36% of households are categorized as ALICE, and an additional 21% are living in poverty,” she said.
Horne said ALICE families struggle to afford housing, childcare, food, transportation, healthcare, technology, and taxes — even though they’re working. The median household income in Colquitt County stands at $47,235, which is notably lower than the state average of $72,837, she said.
“Despite the dedication and hard work of these families, the cost of basic necessities far outpaces their wages,” Horne said.
She said the United Way of Colquitt County’s focus was to provide essential programming and resources to ALICE families, ensuring that they had the support needed to achieve financial stability and improve their quality of life.
Horne outlined some of the ways the organization is serving the community including financial assistance programs, health and wellness programs, transportation access, community engagement and advocacy, and through education and childcare programs.
Through the financial assistance programs, direct financial assistance helps families cover emergency expenses like unexpected medical bills, car repairs and housing costs. The organization also provides transportation assistance through its transportation access program, including subsidizing transportation options and partnerships with local transit services.
The health and wellness programs provide access to healthcare services, which includes preventive care and mental health support. Through its education and childcare programs, the organization partners with local entities to provide affordable childcare and educational programs.
The United Way of Colquitt County also works to raise awareness about ALICE families and advocate for policies that support economic stability through community engagement and advocacy.
“Our efforts are driven by the belief that when we lift up those who are struggling, we strengthen our entire community. We cannot do this alone. It requires the collective effort of individuals, businesses, and organizations coming together to make a difference,” Horne said.
For more information about ALICE, go to the website at www.unitedforalice.org/Georgia. An individual that wants to find out if their household is ALICE status can go to www.unitedforalice.org/alice-income-status-tool.