United Way of Buffalo and Erie County
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Families Forgotten

Every day, 41% of Erie County households struggle to meet a basic household budget, meaning they can’t afford the necessities for survival: safe housing, healthy food, childcare, reliable transportation, and even medical services. It’s a problem of crisis proportions that affects every local community—from Amherst to West Seneca to Springville.

Included in that number are working families that earn more than the federal poverty limit, making them ineligible for government assistance like food stamps. Without that safety net, it is nearly impossible for these families to overcome their circumstances, putting them at increased risk for even more severe hardships like homelessness.

We call these families Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed (ALICE), and they make up 27% of households in Erie County. They are a huge but hidden segment of our community that is suffering.

Families Forgotten

 

Meet the Harrisons

The Harrisons represent a typical ALICE family.

Even though both parents work full time, their combined annual income is only $57,261. That’s $10,503 short of the household survival budget.

 

Jamie, 37

Home health aide making $11.37 per hour ($23,649 annually)


Walks to work most of the year to save up for a bus pass in the winter. She can hardly sleep with worry over bills.

Marcus, 35

Customer service representative making $16.16 per hour ($33,612 annually)


Hasn’t been to the doctor since, well, he can’t remember when. The kids come first.

 

Ariana

7 years old


Wants to be a veterinarian but can’t read at her grade level.

Mason

18 months old


Loves peek-a-boo but still hasn’t said his first word.

A Cycle of Hardship

The Harrisons’ low wages relative to the high cost of living in Buffalo and Erie County mean that even a small hiccup or surprise expenditure can have tremendous repercussions on their financial security and wellbeing and, by extension, the community.


Low Wages

 

A Cycle of Hardship

The Harrisons’ low wages relative to the high cost of living in Buffalo and Erie County mean that even a small hiccup or surprise expenditure can have tremendous repercussions on their financial security and wellbeing and, by extension, the community.


High Cost of Living

$12,792

Child care in Erie County is as expensive as college. The estimated cost of infant day care is $12,792 per year. And that’s just one household expense.

A Cycle of Hardship

When Mason suffered from a frightening seizure due to a severe ear infection, Jamie and Marcus had to call an ambulance for emergency medical treatment. Even with health insurance, the costs were enormous, and Jamie lost two days’ pay as her son recovered. To settle the bills, the Harrisons used what little money they had been saving for a car—and then some—and still can’t afford to pay off the debt. Now, Jamie and Marcus are worried they won’t make rent this month.


Where there's a need
There's a way

To help struggling families like the Harrisons meet their economic, social, and health requirements and overcome their circumstances, United Way: Families surrounds and supports them with an action network of community services. Together, we make an impact by empowering families.


In practice, that means:

  • Offering heads of households financial training and education
  • Assisting mothers and mothers-to-be with pre- and post-natal care
  • Providing essential items for babies
  • Giving parents the tools they need to encourage their children’s literacy
  • And so much more

Where there's a need
There's a way

To help struggling families like the Harrisons meet their economic, social, and health requirements and overcome their circumstances, United Way: Families surrounds and supports them with an action network of community services. Together, we make an impact by empowering families.


“United Way: Families helped us set up an IDA account with matching funds to save for our first car and linked us with a tax preparer who figured out we qualify for a big refund this year. Now, I’m starting to breathe a little easier.”

– Jamie Harrison

Generating Impact

In helping Buffalo and Erie County families like the Harrisons stabilize their financial foundation, United Way: Families contributes to incremental and increasing returns to the health, welfare and economy of our community. As an initiative of United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, United Way: Families is able to leverage the networks and operational efficiencies that have long made the United Way a trusted community partner. The results are impactful: 

 

$20M

By providing free tax services to struggling families, United Way: Families has returned as much as $20 million per year in tax refunds to Erie County families and the local economy.  

$6.5M

Since its inception, participants in United Way: Families’ workforce development program have earned wages that amount to more than $6.5 million.

100%

100% of students who participated in United Way: Families’ Magic Penny reading program scored at or above grade level on the NYS Third-Grade Proficiency Assessment compared to 44% who did not participate.

 

And that's just some of what we do!

Get Invested

Your support of United Way: Families is an investment in the community. A one-time or recurring gift of any amount promises to dramatically influence the quality of life of thousands of men, women, and children that call Buffalo and Erie County home.


$1

Per Week
(the cost of a candy bar)

provides free tax prep services to 8 families

$10

Per Week
(the cost of a movie ticket)

provides high-quality kindergarten preparation and day care for 12 children.

 

$2

Per Week
(the cost of a lottery ticket)

provides 10 hours of tutoring to 25 schoolkids.

$15

Per Week
(the cost of a car wash)

provides 6 field trips for 12 senior citizens to improve socialization.

 

$5

Per Week
(the cost of a latte)

provides 1 day of financial literacy education to 150 ALICE heads of household.

 


 

In return, individuals supported by United Way: Families lead happier, healthier lives and are better positioned to break the cycle of financial hardship and reach their fullest potential.

By extension, the quality of life and economic vitality of our community rises.

Donate

Frequently Asked Questions

If I donate to United Way: Families where exactly will my money go?

United Way: Families funds local programs that create change in our community. Your donation will be allocated to Western New York organizations and services that work every day to empower ALICE families to overcome their financial hardships.


Why is donating to United Way: Families a smart investment?

Just as an investment club researches and analyzes earnings growth, profits, sales, and dividend payments to determine stock purchases, United Way: Families examines local need, service gaps, and operational practices to allocate donated funds for maximum impact. By pooling our resources, we are able to make bigger, smarter investments that have a critical impact on our neighbors and community.


Does United Way: Families take a percentage of the money I donate?

United Way, like every other for-profit and nonprofit organization, has expenses associated with its operations. For our fiscal year ending March 31, 2012, these expenses amounted to 11.7% of our revenue, which includes pledges to the annual campaign. Thank you for entrusting the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County with your charitable dollars. We are grateful for your generosity will continue to uphold the highest standards of stewardship as we work to improve quality of life in Erie County.


Is my donation tax deductible?

The United Way of Buffalo & Erie County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. As such, contributions to United Way: Families are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.


Beyond donating, how else can I get involved with United Way: Families?

Glad you asked! Advocating for United Way: Families on social media by sharing our messages and stories of impact is a great way to start. We are also always looking for volunteers to organize fun and impactful fundraising team challenges in their workplaces or among their friends and family. To learn more about team challenges, click here.

United Way of
Buffalo & Erie County

Stay Connected

 

716.887.2626

742 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14209

 
 
 
 

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  • Families Forgotten
  • Meet the Harrisons
  • A Cycle of Hardship
  • Where there's a need,
    there's a way   

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