Financial Security

We partner with organizations in the community to provide educational resources and community workshops that help individuals and families manage their money, reduce debt, build savings, and plan for long-term goals. 

We partner with local organizations and workforce development programs to provide job skills training, resume building, interview preparation, and career coaching. Our goal is to connect individuals with pathways to sustainable employment and upward mobility.

We work with community partners to increase access to safe, affordable housing options while also providing support for renters and homeowners facing housing insecurity. Stable housing is the foundation for thriving families, and we are committed to making it a reality for more people in our region.

ALICE in West Central Mississippi

What is ALICE?
ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are hardworking individuals and families whose earnings are above the Federal Poverty Level but still fall short of covering the true cost of essentials—housing, child care, food, health care, transportation, and technology.

Who’s Affected in Mississippi

• Statewide (2023)

  • 19% of households are below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)

  • 30% are ALICE households

  • Total 49% live below the ALICE Threshold (poverty + ALICE)—nearly half of all households 

• West Central Mississippi (Warren County, Issaquena, Sharkey, Yazoo, & Claiborne)

  • 27% of households are ALICE

  • 20% live in poverty

  • Combined, 47% fall below the ALICE Threshold

Why This Matters

• Essential workers:
  Of the state’s 20 most common occupations, 16 pay less than $20/hour—35% of those workers live below the ALICE Threshold 

• Children are impacted:

  • Over half of Mississippi’s children (54%) live in households below the ALICE Threshold

• Rural disparities are stark:
  Examples in West Central counties:

  • 80% of households in Claiborne County fall below the ALICE Threshold

  • 68% in Issaquena, 59% in Sharkey, 48% in Warren, 67% in Yazoo 

Our Goal

We’re using these insights to drive real change. By shining a light on the overlooked reality of ALICE—especially in West Central Mississippi—we aim to:

• Inform community leaders and policymakers where the need is greatest

• Support nonprofits and service providers in developing targeted, effective programs

• Help families and individuals find resources they otherwise might miss

Learn More & Take Action

Explore the ALICE data tools for county-level analysis, demographics, and labor force trends. Discover how you can support ALICE families—whether through advocacy, hiring, volunteering, or donating—and become part of the solution in West Central Mississippi.

Want more localized data? 

Visit https://unitedforalice.org/introducing-ALICE/Mississippi to view more stats and take a deeper dive into the data

This pilot initiative is a year-long, personalized support program designed to uplift ten local families by addressing the root causes of financial instability. Each family will receive monthly one-on-one coaching from trusted financial professionals, access to critical resources like housing and childcare, health and nutrition education, and customized career guidance. The aim is clear: to provide families with the tools and support they need to thrive—not just survive.

But this is more than a program—it’s a community-driven movement. We understand that when families are financially stable, children gain the solid foundation they need to grow and succeed. That’s why this initiative includes individualized mentorship, targeted workshops, and a comprehensive network of services tailored to meet each family's unique needs.

With the support of dedicated partners such as Canopy’s LINK program, Cadence Bank, Regions, Trustmark, Hinds Community College, Habitat for Humanity, and others, we’re creating a holistic approach to financial empowerment. Together, we’re not just responding to immediate needs—we’re building long-term, sustainable change. This is about lifting families out of crisis and helping them build a resilient future for themselves and their children.