Our Impact in the Community
United Way of DeKalb County continues to focus on strengthening our community.
ALICE
Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed
Who is ALICE?
ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, and represents the growing number of families who are unable to afford the basics of housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and technology. These workers often struggle to keep their own households from financial ruin, while keeping our local communities running; holding jobs that are critical to the success and vitality of our communities. ALICE gets up each day to go to work, but still faces financial barriers-working jobs that offer no health care, vacation, or paid sick leave.
Essential, Working, Struggling
For a growing number of U.S. households, financial stability is nothing more than a pipe dream, no matter how hard they work. These households are ALICE, earning above the Federal Poverty Level yet struggling to afford basic expenses.
ALICE Households:
- Span all races, ages, ethnicities, and abilities, though households of color are disproportionately ALICE.
- Include workers whose wages cannot keep up with the rising cost of goods and services
- Often include those who are working two or more jobs and still cannot pay their bills
- Include family members who need care and assistance, which makes it harder for their caregivers to find adequate work
- Live paycheck to paycheck and are forced to make impossible choices: pay the rent or buy food, receive medical care or pay for child care, pay utility bills or put gas in the car
- Are part of every community nationwide
ALICE may be your relative, friend, colleague, or neighbor, or you might be ALICE. ALICE may also be your health care provider, teacher, retail clerk, sanitation worker, and others. ALICE workers are the backbone of our economy.
IMPACT FUNDING focused on the ALICE population will generate a healthy community environment that will encourage improved family and life choices.
#UnitedIsTheWay
ALICE Grantees
Harold W. McMillen Center for Health Education
McMillen Health is a non-profit organization and is one of less than four independently operated health education centers remaining nationwide. Our organization is recognized as the number one resource for health education in the Northern Indiana region—reaching more than 90,000 students annually.
Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana
Cancer Services’ mission is to enhance the quality of life of those affected by cancer by providing meaningful resources, information, and compassionate assistance.
YWCA Northeast Indiana
YWCA Northeast Indiana actively empowers individuals and communities through advocacy, education, and support services, ensuring dignity for all.
Inspiration Ministries
Inspiration is a Community Impact Organization that is a leader in recovery, reentry and restorative services. Inspiration is passionate about developing and sustaining programs that reduce substance use, recidivism, and poverty in communities ready for change.
Serenity House
Serenity House, Inc provides transitional living (recovery homes) for those men and women who have made the vital decision to become free from the bondage of alcohol and/or drugs.
St. Martins Healthcare
St. Martin’s Healthcare, Inc. provides quality medical and dental care for acute and chronic conditions, Optometry and medication assistance services to uninsured and underinsured residents in 4 counties in Northeast Indiana. It is a full-service clinic that meets the needs of its residents and is impacting many individuals and families who would otherwise have no access to healthcare. All services provided at the clinic are at no charge to our patients.
JAM Early Education
JAM Early Education believes in providing a safe, nuturing, and choice-filled environment through children's independence, exploration of their interests, and expression of their individuality.
YMCA of DeKalb County
YMCA Early Learning programs, classes and activities are designed to engage children and help them develop the values, skills and confidence they'll need to succeed as adults. The programs are planned to promote active learning with play as the child's method of discovery.
Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana
At Junior Achievement we believe in "possible." Each day, we work to help young people discover what's possible in their lives. We do this by helping them connect what they learn in school with life outside the classroom. We let them know it's possible to invest in their future, to gain a better understanding of how the world works, and to pursue their dreams. We show them that it's possible for tomorrow to be a better day.
Tiny Tracks Learning Center
Tiny Tracks Learning Center is a new venture by Garrett-Keyser-Butler Community School District to address our workforce's unmet childcare needs as many employees struggle to find accessible, affordable, and quality childcare options in the small, rural community.
Inspiration Ministries
Inspiration is a Community Impact Organization that is a leader in recovery, reentry and restorative services. Inspiration is passionate about developing and sustaining programs that reduce substance use, recidivism, and poverty in communities ready for change.
Community Impact Grantee
Roots of Giving:
United Way of DeKalb County is proud to announce that Roots of Giving has been awarded a $100,000 Community Impact Grant in support of their ongoing mission to fight food insecurity and create sustainable access to fresh, nutritious food for individuals and families across the region.
Roots of Giving serves as a vital resource for those experiencing food insecurity, operating under the belief that food is more than just sustenance—it is a bridge to health, dignity, and connection. The organization’s innovative programs promote self-sufficiency through educational outreach and collaborative food distribution.
This funding will support Roots of Giving in expanding its operations, increasing the reach of its mobile food pantry, and continue ongoing community outreach initiatives such as: snack pack program, coat drive, Christmas Pantry & Shop with an Elf, and the annual 5K fundraiser.
About Roots of Giving:
Roots of Giving is a faith-based nonprofit food pantry based in Butler, Indiana. Roots of Giving is powered by a dedicated Board of Trustees, Advisory Board, local volunteers and community partnerships, working to create a more compassionate and resilient community.
To learn more about Roots of Giving or get involved, please visit rootsofgiving.org.
Kindergarten Readiness Funding
Kindergarten Readiness Programs
DeKalb County Central United School District will hold a Kindergarten Orientation before the 2025-2026 school year. All incoming kindergarten students will be invited to spend the morning at their elementary school. Students will meet the kindergarten teachers, explore the kindergarten classrooms, participate in kindergarten readiness activities, and take home supplies and materials to help prepare them for kindergarten success.
DeKalb Eastern School District will host The Summer Kindergarten Program that aims to support families and children in making a smooth transition as they prepare for entering kindergarten in the upcoming school year. This program focuses on fostering essentail academic and soical skills that are vital for a child's learning journey. The camp will be 14 days for 3 hours per day during the months of May-June.
Garrett-Keyser-Butler Community School District will host Kindergarten Countdown Camp at J.E. Ober Elementary School. This program is designed to support and prepare young children for their transition to formal K-12 education. The program focuses on building foundational skills that will help them succeed in school and beyond. The program will run for four weeks in June for four hours per day and will offer breakfast, lunch, transportation, classroom experiences, and a parent engagement session.