Individuals and families receiving United Way’s emergency financial assistance are introduced to career coaching, job training and financial literacy programs. Only individuals and families living in North Essex’s 11 communities, (Caldwells, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Montclair, Roseland, and Verona), are eligible to receive this assistance.
Dorothy worked steadily for more than 25 years, earned a comfortable salary and bought a home for herself and her children. Then, in the middle of the recession, she lost her job in a round of layoffs. Since then, steady work has been hard to come by and her savings were depleted.
Despite working two part-time jobs today, Dorothy still has trouble covering her basic bills. Last year’s brutal winter resulted in higher than usual heating bills for Dorothy. If it were not for the generosity of United Way Holiday Fund donors last year, she wouldn’t have been able to cover her unexpected heating bills.
“It’s a pride thing” said Dorothy, whose name was changed to protect her identity. She waited until she had no other choice but to ask for assistance. “I’ll work like crazy before I take help.”
At the start of the holiday season and another potentially bruising winter, United Way of Northern New Jersey is seeking donations to help working families who walk a financial tightrope and are at the mercy of one emergency. More than 7,800 North Essex families are considered ALICE, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are families earning more than the official U.S. poverty level, but less than the high cost of living in the region.
Last year, United Way provided more than $25,000 in mortgage, rent and heating assistance to North Essex residents who needed emergency assistance to help prevent a larger financial disaster. For decades, the local community has rallied to support neighbors by giving to the United Way Holiday Fund. That support helps families year round when someone is facing extraordinary circumstances.
“A series of snowstorms, a medical emergency, a broken appliance or an unforeseen car repair can overtax an already strapped household budget,” United Way’s Durelle McPherson said. “At United Way we address the immediate need first, but then we work with families to guide them toward a more stable future.”
Individuals and families receiving United Way’s emergency financial assistance are introduced to career coaching, job training and financial literacy programs. Only individuals and families living in North Essex’s 11 communities, (Caldwells, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Montclair, Roseland, and Verona), are eligible to receive this assistance.
All donations to the Fund go directly to families in need; none are used to support United Way administrative costs.
Please visit United Way’s website, www.UnitedWayNNJ.org or send your tax-deductible contribution to United Way of Northern New Jersey, 60 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07042. Please note United Way Holiday Fund in the memo. For more information, email Judith.Mayo@UnitedWayNNJ.org or call 973.993.1160, x105.
Donors as of November 21, 2014
Caldwell
Barbara J. Vitkowsky
Cedar Grove
John N. Dennis
Aubin Z. Ames
Dorothea R Hiebing
Fairfield
Louis J. De Smet
Livingston
A. W. Christopher, Jr., MD
Alice Bugbee
Ruth Egner
Janet Berger
Linda Klass
Montclair
Joyce R. Michaelson
Pat Ackershoek
Twyla F. Banitch
Margaret A. Banitch
Behnaz Pakizegi, Ph.D.
Carole B. Francesca Cross
Thomas P. Giblin
Claire Seligman
Judy Lutz
Josephine Bonomo
Amy-Marie Hohn
William E.Treene
Millburn-Short Hills
John W. Coffey
North Caldwell
John Hawkins
West Caldwell
William H. Booth
