Meet ALICE

The Workforce That Keeps Our Community Thriving

Photos from Walk 4 ALICE  held on March 7, 2026 at North Collier Regional Park

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At our inaugural Walk 4 ALICE on March 7, I noticed a young family making their way along the path at North Collier Regional Park with two toddlers in tow. Both parents work full-time. They brought their children because they wanted to show their support for other hardworking families in our community. By the end of the walk, the little ones were tired and restless as their parents loaded up the family car, doing their best to juggle it all with grace. Their presence meant the world, because it reminded all of us why this work matters. Families like theirs are the heartbeat of Collier County.

Collier County is known for its beautiful beaches, exceptional schools, strong local businesses, and a hospitality and service industry that draws people from around the globe. It is a place many are proud to call home. Behind the lifestyle so many residents and visitors enjoy is a committed workforce that shows up every day to keep our community running.

From childcare providers and healthcare professionals to restaurant staff, hotel workers, landscapers, retail employees, and first responders, these individuals power the services and experiences that shape our daily lives. They are essential to Collier County’s success and contribute significantly to what makes this region so special.

Many of these workers are part of a population known as ALICE, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed. ALICE households earn above the federal poverty level but still struggle to afford basic needs. In Collier County, where housing, childcare, healthcare, and everyday expenses continue to climb, many essential workers are living paycheck to paycheck, often working multiple jobs just to stay afloat.

ALICE is not a distant group. More than a third of our neighbors fall into this category. They are the people caring for our children, maintaining our homes and neighborhoods, preparing our meals, assisting customers, and supporting our healthcare system. They are critical to our local economy yet often face the greatest challenges in building stability.

United Way of Collier and the Keys has made supporting ALICE families a central focus of its mission. By bringing together nonprofit partners, businesses, local leaders, and residents, your local United Way works to strengthen financial stability for working families. This includes expanding access to affordable childcare and housing, connecting families to essential services, and investing in programs that help build long-term financial security.

This work is about more than meeting immediate needs. It is about ensuring that the people who contribute so much to Collier County can continue to live and work here. When working families are stable, businesses thrive, economic conditions improve, and our entire region benefits.

That commitment to community was on full display at our first-ever Walk 4 ALICE. More than 100 participants came together to raise awareness for hardworking families across our region. We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, volunteers, supporters, and our emcee, Meteorologist Rob Duns from Gulf Coast NBC, for making the morning such a success.

As we look ahead, I invite you to join next year’s Walk 4 ALICE. Organize a team with neighbors, friends, or colleagues. Walk with us as we continue this important work and help ensure our community remains strong for everyone who calls Collier County home.

To learn more about how to volunteer, give, or advocate for solutions that support working families, visit UWCollierKeys.org.