About Us

The United Way of Mid-Rural New York is part of a nationwide network of United Way organizations that work to improve lives and strengthen communities. Their mission often focuses on advancing the common good by addressing key issues like health, education, and financial stability. 

In your region, the United Way's focus on serving the **ALICE** (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) population is particularly important. ALICE represents individuals and families who are working but still struggle to make ends meet due to the high cost of living, wages that don't align with those costs, or unexpected financial hardships. The United Way of Mid-Rural New York is dedicated to supporting this group by providing resources to programs that directly help them gain stability and improve their quality of life.

Key Goals for Supporting the ALICE Population:

1. **Addressing Financial Instability**: ALICE families are often just one emergency away from falling into poverty. The United Way seeks to help these families gain more financial stability through programs that help with essential needs like food, housing, transportation, and childcare.
   
2. **Supporting Workforce Development**: Offering programs that provide skills training, educational opportunities, and job readiness services to help ALICE individuals advance in their careers and earn wages that support their families.

3. **Improving Access to Health and Education**: Ensuring that ALICE households have access to health services, quality education for children, and the resources necessary to overcome barriers to success.

4. **Long-Term Community Impact**: The dollars raised during the United Way's annual campaign are channeled into programs that sustain the community’s future by focusing on building long-term resilience. This may involve funding initiatives related to affordable housing, financial literacy, and access to healthcare services, as well as other community-driven efforts to address the unique challenges facing ALICE households in rural areas.

Annual Campaign and Fund Allocation:
The United Way of Mid-Rural New York’s annual fundraising campaign plays a key role in raising the funds necessary to support these vital programs. Community donations and corporate sponsorships make it possible for the United Way to allocate resources to both immediate and long-term solutions for the ALICE population.

By pooling resources from local businesses, individuals, and other organizations, the United Way is able to support programs that have a tangible and lasting impact. These funds are directed toward initiatives like:
- Emergency financial assistance programs
- Educational scholarships and tutoring for children
- Health clinics and wellness programs
- Community partnerships with local non-profits

Ways you can help your community?

- **Donate**: Contributions to the annual campaign provide the financial support needed to fund these initiatives and programs.
- **Volunteer**: The United Way also encourages individuals to volunteer their time, helping directly with services or by participating in fundraising efforts.
- **Advocate**: Raise awareness of the challenges facing the ALICE population in your community and advocate for policy changes that will address these systemic issues.

Through a collaborative, community-driven approach, the United Way of Mid-Rural New York aims to create lasting change and ensure that more families have the resources they need to thrive in the future.

UNITED TOGETHER IS THE WAY.