United Way of Northern New Jersey

United in care to support the working alice population in the extended covid-19 pandemic and the projected long-term economic recovery, United Way of Northern New Jersey was identified as a lead partner for a four-year pilot project to directly address the structural deficiencies within the child care system. This pilot is seeking to reverse child care deserts in four regions across New Jersey, increasing the availability of quality, affordable child care and early childhood education opportunities for working families. To accomplish this, United in care is creating shared service alliances that pair two previously disconnected pillars of the child care system highly rated centers and local family child care providers to expand capacity, leverage a collective expertise, and share critical resources. This data-driven pilot is measuring key performance indicators gathered through feedback from the participating families, centers and providers and analyzed by experts. Metrics, dashboards, and evaluation tools are the bedrock for United in care's evolution and continued improvement. This pilot has the potential to become a national model by transforming this sector, promoting quality child care and early education, and supporting economic opportunities for working parents and early education professionals.

Building savings, careers and stability we believe that putting in a hard day's work should mean that alice workers can afford basic bills and set aside savings to support their families on good days and bad. More than one-third of Northern New Jersey households are in poverty or walk a financial tightrope , unable to meet expenses, deal with unexpected hardships, and save for the future. Our tax preparation program ensures our clients receive free irs-qualified tax preparation during tax filing season, those without sufficient knowledge of tax laws or the resources to hire a tax preparer can be at a disadvantage. Individuals and families might miss out on programs, credits and deductions that could help lower their tax liability or result in a refund that could help pay down bills or create savings for future emergencies. We ensure all appropriate deductions and credits are claimed to maximize refunds.

United for aliceunited for alice is 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 28 states and includes United ways, corporations, nonprofits and foundations.

Alice @ work expenses: $_601,584_ including grants of: $__United for alice@work collaborates with partners and employers nationwide to develop and amplify solutions to help alice workers rise in the workplace. By empowering corporations to invest in their employees, we aim to bridge the gaps keeping alice workers from achieving financial stability. Alice@work offers business leaders and hr professionals a range of virtual and in-person trainings, online tools and resources, and a database of best practices. By understanding the challenges facing alice households, employers can help create an equitable workplace that boosts alice and encourages productivity and reduced turnover. Pandemic response: alice recovery expenses: $ 99,771_ including grants of: $ _86,956the alice recovery fund was established in partnership with United Way of hunterdon county to address emerging needs of alice households and those in poverty in response to the covid-19 pandemic. The state of emergency created by the spread of the coronavirus exposed critical shortcomings in our economy, health care system, and public education. We worked closely with community and government partners to identify and address areas of concern throughout our footprint via a multi-phase approach developed around our anchor initiatives. Since inception, we have paid out over $1,506,000 to individuals and nonprofit partners. General community supports expenses: $ _353,353_ including grants of: $ _ United Way of Northern New Jersey is working toward a future where essential workers can afford to save for an emergency, access quality care for vulnerable family members, and benefit from an equitable workplace. Too many of these workers cannot make ends meet; they are alice (asset limited, income constrained, employed). Alice is our neighbor, family member, and friend who faces choosing between quality child care and rent or medications and food. This United Way and our United for alice research arm are the critical engines fueling a movement that's driving meaningful change for alice families. We are achieving this locally and across the country through unbiased insights, innovative solutions, and on the ground impact. We show up for alice by: unearthing data-driven racial and economic inequities at the national, state, and local levels, equipping partners in 28 states to advocate, educate, and champion change raising alice's public profile by amplifying alice voices in the news, at events, and on social media across the u.s. Growing the availability of quality, affordable child care in New Jersey partnering with employers to develop vital workplace supports in New Jersey delivering a financial boost through free tax preparation to 5,000 New Jersey alice families lending a hand by collecting school supplies, stocking pantries, and distributing holiday gifts to thousands of New Jersey families