United is the Way We Build Financial Stability That Drives Community Resiliency
Financial hardship in the Valley is not about bad choices. It is about systems under strain. Families are working, yet too many still face impossible decisions: pay the rent or buy food, keep the lights on or cover childcare.
This instability doesn’t stop at the household door. It ripples across classrooms, workplaces, and neighborhoods, raising costs for everyone. The 2025 ALICE Report shows nearly 4 in 10 households in our region cannot cover basic needs, even with one or more adults employed.
United Way NSV is fighting to change that reality. We invest in strategies that move families from crisis to stability and from stability to opportunity. We partner with nonprofits, businesses, and community leaders to shift the odds for thousands of households — because financial stability is the foundation for a healthier, more resilient Valley.
United is the Way forward: the way we strengthen families, support our partners, and build the systems that give every neighbor the chance to thrive.
Our Focus: Financial Stability & Community Resilience
-
Housing and Basic Needs
Partnering with nonprofits to expand eviction prevention, utility assistance, and crisis navigation so families remain safe in their homes. -
Employment and Workforce Support
Supporting job training, skill-building, and career pathways that connect residents to living-wage employment. -
Building Household Stability
Investing in childcare support, financial education, and resource navigation that strengthen families and prevent future crises. -
Community Resilience
Working with local agencies, businesses, and faith partners to create stronger networks of support that help neighbors weather challenges together.
Why It Matters
The 2025 ALICE Report makes one truth clear: financial hardship in the Valley is not the exception, it is the reality for nearly four in ten households. Even with steady work, families cannot consistently afford housing, childcare, food, or transportation. More than 40 percent of households with children are struggling to stay afloat.
These are not just statistics. They are signals that our systems are under strain. When families cannot meet basic needs, the impact ripples outward. Children fall behind in school. Employers face higher turnover. Seniors are forced to choose between medicine and meals. The costs of instability are carried by the entire community.
Charity alone cannot keep pace with this level of need. That is why United Way NSV invests in system-level solutions: expanding nonprofit capacity, building stronger community networks, and creating opportunities for lasting stability.
Because when families are stable, schools succeed, businesses grow, and communities thrive.
United is the Way forward — moving beyond band-aids to real solutions that build stronger families, stronger partners, and a stronger Valley.
United Solutions: Building Systems That Work
A United Signal for Action
211 calls and the upcoming 2026 Community Health Assessment tell the same story. Families across the Valley are struggling most with housing costs, food access, and mental health.
This is not a charity problem. It is a systems problem — and it requires systems solutions. We need more affordable housing, stronger prevention strategies, and community supports that keep families stable before crisis hits.
Because when families cannot afford housing, the entire Valley pays the price. But when stability is possible, everyone benefits:
-
Children can learn.
-
Workers can thrive.
-
Businesses can grow.
-
Communities can prosper.
📊 What 211 Calls Show in Our Region
-
54% asked for help with housing (rent, shelter, repairs)
-
21% needed support with utilities (heat, electricity, water)
-
5% sought food assistance
👉 Each percentage represents families in our Valley facing daily choices no one should have to make.
📊 Explore the full story: What 211 Calls Reveal About Our Community Report
Why Resilience Matters
Research shows that communities with strong social connections and robust local infrastructure recover more quickly from economic, health, and natural crises (RAND, CDC, Urban Institute). Resilience is not only about bouncing back but about building systems that prevent families from falling so far in the first place.
This is how we move from urgent relief to lasting change.
United is the Way forward — building a Valley where every child, adult, and senior has the chance to thrive.
Data Drives Stability
Stories ➝ Data ➝ Insight ➝ Action ➝ Resilience
Research is more than data points. It is the bridge between what families are experiencing every day and the long-term solutions our community needs.
At United Way NSV, we use research to move beyond short-term relief and create system-level strategies that strengthen families and make the Valley more resilient.
Our Research Tools
-
Community Needs Assessments give us a comprehensive view of challenges across the Valley — from housing and health to childcare and transportation.
-
211 Data provides real-time insight into what families ask for when they are out of options, with housing, utilities, and food consistently topping the list.
-
ALICE Reports highlight the gap between what households earn and what it actually costs to survive, showing how nearly 4 in 10 Valley households are struggling even while working.
Turning Data into Action
This research is not just collected — it drives decisions. It guides where we invest, how we partner, and what systemic changes we advocate for. By identifying root causes, we can fund programs that prevent eviction instead of just providing shelter, support workforce development instead of only addressing unemployment, and expand community networks that reduce isolation before crisis sets in.
Why It Matters
When nearly 40% of households are below the ALICE Threshold, the strain does not stop at their doorstep. It impacts classrooms, workplaces, healthcare systems, and local businesses. Research makes these hidden costs visible and helps us design strategies that strengthen the Valley as a whole.
United is the Way. With research in hand, we build financial stability and community resiliency that lasts.
📊 Explore the latest Community Needs Assessment
to see how data is shaping solutions across the Valley.
Take Control of Your Money. Build Together for Our Future. Thrive as a Community.
Managing money can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. United Way’s My Smart Money gives you tools and support to steady today’s needs, plan for tomorrow, and build lasting financial strength. Together, we make stronger communities possible.
Immediate Needs
Sometimes it’s about getting through today. From bills to groceries, we’ll help steady the basics so you can move forward with less stress.
🔗 Explore resources for budgeting, reducing debt, and covering urgent expenses.
Planning for Your Future
Your future matters—and preparing for it is easier when you don’t have to do it alone. With the right tools, you can save, budget, and plan for the big moments ahead.
🔗 Explore resources for saving, building credit, and setting long-term goals.
Taking Back Financial Control
Life can throw us off track—but you can take the reins again. United, we’ll help you rebuild, reset, and move forward with confidence.
🔗 Explore resources for rebuilding credit, cutting costs, and setting new financial habits.
Why My Smart Money?
When you take control of your money, you’re not just improving your own life—you’re strengthening the foundation of your whole community. Financial stability for one creates stability for all.
Thriving Communities Start with Financial Security
We envision a world where every person, in every community, can thrive. That begins with access to the right resources—educational tools, financial guidance, and opportunities to build security for today and for generations to come.
For millions of Americans, tax refunds and credits are essential to financial stability. That’s why United Way helps people keep more of their hard-earned money through MyFreeTaxes®.
Filing your taxes shouldn’t cost you money. With MyFreeTaxes®, you can file your federal and state returns online—fast, easy, and completely free.
Since 2009, more than 1.4 million people have used MyFreeTaxes to claim every credit and deduction they deserve, saving millions in tax preparation fees. Now it’s your turn to maximize your refund—without paying a dime.