VALDOSTA — Greater Valdosta United Way uses what’s called the ALICE report to help shed light on hidden segments of the community struggling to afford basic necessities.

ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE aims to identify and help households living from paycheck to paycheck and would be financially burdened by the cost of an unexpected emergency.

“ALICE is a report about financial hardship and the United Way of Georgia Association brought it into the state this year,” said GVUW CEO Michael Smith.

According to the GVUW’s 2023 annual report, the UWGA led the effort for Georgia to become the 29th state to participate in United for ALICE. Smith served as UWGA Chair from 2022-2023.

The annual report reads, “Based upon the highest quality, unbiased data, Georgia’s report identifies unique and specific demographics and barriers to financial stability within the state’s 159 counties.”

Smith says they’ll have a new ALICE report coming in May this year. He says once they receive the report they will share it with state and local elected leaders and see how the numbers have changed.

“We predict more will be ALICE in 2022. We hope the data will help target dollars into the most overlooked and needed communities and provide solid data for nonprofits to write quality grants for their programs,” Smith said.

“The biggest thing is getting people thinking about the hourly, full-time employees and families working hard but struggling to get by.”