Family with three kids walking in a park

The ALICE Experience

The ALICE Experience is a powerful engagement tool that will challenge your understanding of financial hardship and reveal important insights about the often invisible need in our community.

This simulation is available for both virtual and in-person groups. Participants experience the tough decisions Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed families make daily, bringing to light the realities faced by people who live in financial hardship and the ripple effect this has on our community.

Map of Western New York showing each county's population that's designated as ALICE. Overall this accounts for 40% of the population.

In 2022, over 108,000 of Erie County’s nearly 412,000 households were ALICE or Asset Limited, Income Constrained & Employed.

ALICE households have an income above the federal poverty level but are still struggling to afford basic household necessities. This is in addition to the over 56,000 households living in poverty in Erie County.

How It Works

Groups of up to five people are assigned a family profile and must build a budget within the limitations of their assigned family. The interactive experience lasts approximately 60-90 minutes pending audience discussion

Alice Experience people engaging in the program

Alice program People engaging in the program

Cost

Up to 50 participants* $1000
Nonprofit Agency ** $500
United Way Funded Agency No Charge

*A $10 fee will be applied for each additional participant exceeding the 50 maximum group size.

**United Way staff may request (certification) of current nonprofit status

Request an ALICE Experience Simulation

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