New “Indicators of Well-Being” Show How Community Resources, Issues Stack Up With ALICE in Michigan
LANSING, Mich., June 20, 2024 - The Michigan Association of United Ways is proud to announce that the ALICE Project in Michigan will have a new resource, the Indicators of Well-Being, connecting ALICE rates with a host of other social, health, and economic statistics for use by decision makers, institutions, and many other stakeholders in their work supporting ALICE households. This tool is made possible for Michigan for the first time by the sponsorship of the Michigan Credit Union Foundation.
The Indicators of Well-Being tool displays maps that show the percentage of households below the ALICE Threshold (poverty + ALICE) — households that cannot afford the basics in the communities where they live— along with additional indicators of well-being, ranging from health care provider rates, severe housing problems, and many more.
“Across Michigan, United Ways find strong associations between lower incomes and lower levels of education, and poorer health and other life outcomes,” said Kaitlynn Lamie, President & CEO of the Michigan Association of United Ways. “The Indicators of Well-Being will help local United Ways and other stakeholders in Michigan track relationships between ALICE households and other variables at state and county levels so we can ask better questions and target resources to have the greatest impact.”
“As not for profit financial institutions, credit unions are community focused,” said Andrea Tucker, Executive Director of the Michigan Credit Union Foundation. “Understanding the people within their communities, and the struggles they may have, is a great way for credit unions to offer support through products, services, and programming. By partnering with the Michigan Association of United Ways, and funding the Indicators of Well-Being, it not only helps credit unions, but also other community organizations and business partners as well, as we all continue to support ALICE households in Michigan.”
Kyle Gurzynski, Michigan Credit Union Foundation Board Chair, states “When the MCUF board reviewed the proposal to potentially fund the addition of the Indicators of Well-Being, to the Michigan ALICE Report, we quickly realized how beneficial the resource would be for those working with ALICE households.”
Visit unitedforalice.org/well-being/michigan to explore the Indicators. Visit the rest of the ALICE Research Center to explore additional ALICE insights, including the demographics of ALICE households in every county of Michigan, the household budget for various household compositions, and the ALICE Project methodology.
About Michigan Association of United Ways
Michigan Association of United Ways (MAUW) is a partner in developing powerful responses to current and emerging issues in local communities. The State Association provides leadership in policy influence and capacity building to affect positive change. MAUW serves approximately 35 local United Ways that represent the largest network of non-governmental service providers and service funders in Michigan, collectively raising and distributing significant resources to support local health and human service organizations. Learn more at uwmich.org.
About the Michigan Credit Union Foundation
The Michigan Credit Union Foundation’s (MCUF) mission is to cooperatively empower credit unions to increase financial well-being by supporting community enrichment, financial education, and credit union development initiatives. MCUF is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) foundation, dedicated to helping boost the credit union difference in Michigan. Learn more at MCUF.mcul.org.
About United For ALICE
United For ALICE is a U.S. research organization driving innovation, research and action to improve life across the country for ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) and for all. Through the development of the ALICE measurements, a comprehensive, unbiased picture of financial hardship has emerged. Harnessing this data and research on the mismatch between low-paying jobs and the cost of survival, ALICE partners convene, advocate and collaborate on solutions that promote financial stability at local, state and national levels. This grassroots ALICE movement, led by United Way of Northern New Jersey, has spread to 31 states and includes United Ways, corporations, nonprofits and foundations in Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawai‘i, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C., West Virginia and Wisconsin; we are United For ALICE. For more information, visit: UnitedForALICE.org.
The ALICE Project in Michigan is generously supported by the Consumers Energy Foundation.