In Erie County, thousands of working families are doing everything right, according to a news release.

They are employed, raising children, caring for aging parents, and contributing to the local economy.

Yet for many, rising costs for housing, utilities, food, transportation and health care have made stability increasingly difficult to maintain.

These households are known as ALICE — Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — representing families who earn above the federal poverty level but still live one unexpected expense away from crisis.

In response, United Way of Erie County is aligning its community investments, partnerships and long-term strategy around a shared goal: reducing poverty by strengthening stability today and creating pathways to opportunity for the future, the release said.

“For many families in Erie County, it’s one unexpected moment that changes everything — a car breaking down, a medical bill arriving, or a utility notice showing up in the mail,” said E.J. Brinson, executive director of United Way of Erie County, in the release. “Our focus is simple: the people who live here year-round.

“The families who keep Erie County running every day. When they are stable, our entire community is stronger.”

Stability as starting point

United Way’s recent community investments reflect a clear understanding of how hardship unfolds in real life.

Housing instability affects health.

Food insecurity impacts education.

A crisis in one area can quickly cascade into others.

Rather than addressing these challenges in isolation, United Way is strengthening a coordinated system of support across four interconnected pillars: income; education; health; and safety net.

Together, these pillars form the foundation for long-term poverty reduction, the release said.

Housing stability is central to that effort.

“Erie (Erie Metropolitan Housing Authority) is deeply grateful for this partnership,” said Ralph Chamberlain, executive director of the Erie Metropolitan Housing Authority, in the release. “This investment from United Way of Erie County will allow Erie MHA to deliver practical, meaningful tenant education that supports housing stability and self-sufficiency.

“Ready to Rent can prepare participants for successful tenancies and helps reduce barriers to securing and maintaining housing, benefiting residents, landlords, and the broader community alike.”

Opportunity beyond crisis

Preventing crisis is only part of the work. Reducing poverty also requires creating real opportunity — particularly through education, workforce development, and leadership pathways that prepare residents for long-term success.

“We are thankful to the United Way of Erie County for this meaningful investment in BGSU Firelands,” said Allia L. Carter, Ph.D., dean of BGSU Firelands, in the release. “This grant represents the second seed in our $1 million Promise Scholarship campaign, which is designed to ensure students with financial need across Erie, Huron, Sandusky, Ottawa and Lorain counties are not stopped by cost.

“It also allows us to expand leadership and workforce development opportunities that prepare students for local employment, while advancing a public leadership speaker series focused on regional priorities and community needs. This partnership reflects what is possible when a community comes together around access, opportunity, and long-term impact.”

Safety net

For individuals and families already in crisis, immediate support remains critical — not as an endpoint, but as a bridge back to stability, the release said.

“This support and partnership with United Way means more than a bed for the night — it means safety, dignity and a chance to start over,” said LaRaun Clayton, vice president of Veterans & Housing at Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana, in the release. “Because of our partnership, people in crisis at Crossroads have a place where they’re not just sheltered, but supported as they work toward stable housing, health and hope for the future.”

Together, crisis response, housing stability and opportunity-building form a continuum that reflects the real journey many ALICE families face as they work to stay afloat and move forward, the release said.

Community working together

United Way’s work is carried out through a diverse network of trusted partners serving Erie County residents across neighborhoods, age groups, and needs — with focused efforts in communities such as south side Sandusky and Milan.

United Way of Erie County’s current allocation partners include:

• BGSU Firelands College

• Community Action Commission of Erie, Huron and Richland counties

• Erie Metropolitan Housing Authority

• Safe Harbour Domestic Violence Shelter

• Erie County Senior Center (Meals on Wheels)

• Father’s Heart Food Pantry

• Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana (Crossroads Shelter)

• Catholic Charities

• The Kinship House

• American Red Cross of North Central Ohio

• NAACP Sandusky Unit 3199

• UNDRSTR

• Erie County Development Corp/New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church

• Ebenezer Baptist Church Lifelong Learners Foundation

Each partner plays a distinct role, but all are aligned around the same purpose: ensuring that working families in Erie County have the stability and support needed to move forward, the release said.

Looking ahead

United Way leaders emphasize that this work is not a one-year effort or a single initiative, but part of a broader, long-term approach to addressing poverty in Erie County.

“ALICE is not a failure — it’s a signal,” Brinson said. “It tells us that working families need systems that work better for them. Success means fewer families falling into crisis, faster recoveries when setbacks happen, and more households able to build a future with dignity and security right here at home.”

United Way of Erie County will continue engaging partners, donors, employers, and community members as it shapes the next phase of its work — focused not only on responding to poverty, but on reducing it, the release said.