WCCOC and United Way bring community leaders together to address Washington County needs

The Washington County Chamber of Commerce hosted United Way of Northwest Florida for a community conversation focused on the financial challenges facing local Washington County families and the partnerships needed to address them. United Way President and CEO of United Way of Northwest Florida, Gina Littleton, shared data showing that 51% of Washington County households are either living in poverty or fall below the ALICE threshold, compared with 47% statewide. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, referring to individuals and families whose income exceeds the federal poverty level but who still struggle to meet the basic costs of living.

“ALICE is not a personal failure,” Littleton said. “ALICE is not lazy. ALICE is not making bad choices. ALICE is doing everything right, and still falling short, because the cost of living has outpaced the cost of labor. That is a structural problem, and structural problems require all of us working together to solve.”

Attendees participate in the ALICE Household Survival Game, an interactive exercise that simulates the financial decisions that many working families face when balancing necessities such as housing, food, transportation, childcare, and health care on a limited budget. Participants are challenged to make difficult choices as unexpected expenses and job loss scenarios are introduced. [ALI MORELAND | THE NEWS]

The discussion highlighted the role businesses, nonprofits, faith communities, and local leaders can play in strengthening the local workforce and creating solutions tailored to Washington County. Some of these partnerships can look like starting a workplace campaign, volunteering as a team, sharing available resources, and becoming a corporate partner. United Way also presented more than $15,000 in funding to three local nonprofit agencies including the Arc of Washington-Holmes, The Art of Manhood, and Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity.

“These organizations are on the front lines,” Littleton described. “They are in ALICE’s call log, her workforce development, her after-school program, and her safety net.” She emphasized the broader purpose of the gathering, stating, “Conversations like this one are exactly how a community moves from awareness to action.” She concluded, “Washington County is stronger because of partnerships like this one.”