By Juli Metzger—
Muncie, IN—Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 is United Way’s Day of Caring. Traditionally on this day, individuals from around the community gather to serve partnering non-profits by completing volunteer projects. This year, to ensure the safety of volunteers and our non-profit partners, Day of Caring volunteers will continue to make an impact for struggling, working families through virtual advocacy opportunities.
Prior to the pandemic, ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) data showed that 43% of our communities’ households are under the ALICE threshold. That means nearly half of our families struggled to make ends meet. ALICE families live in every part of Indiana, urban, suburban, and rural, and they include people of all genders, ages, races/ethnicities, and household types.
In the COVID-19 health and economic crisis, ALICE families have been hit the hardest. Many are experiencing a loss of income due to decrease in hours, job loss, unpaid absence as a result of illness, or increased childcare needs, all of which have the ability to destabilize nearly half of our community’s households.
“Your help is needed now more than ever. United, we rise to the challenges our communities currently face. Whether you give your time, voice or dollars, your United Way needs you to step in and join us in saying, ‘We can do it,’” Jenni Marsh, President & CEO.
Day of Caring volunteers will use their voices to create awareness around community-identified, nonpartisan issues that affect our community’s ALICE families. Using an online advocacy portal, volunteers will have the opportunity to call, message or tweet a legislator about important issues facing ALICE families.
Working together, we can face long term challenges head on. Volunteer advocacy efforts build upon work already being done by local nonprofits and can significantly increase the impact made to support households in need.
While we will miss being together in person, compassion defies distance. Our community needs us to rise up to these new challenges and #LIVEUNITED.
To participate in Day of Caring, visit InvitedToLiveUnited.org/day-of-action-2020
About United Way of Delaware, Henry & Randolph Counties
United Way of Delaware, Henry & Randolph Counties fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community. Using community input, the non-profit crafts local impact plans that work to end generational poverty. Learn more at InvitedToLiveUnited.org.
