In Okaloosa and Walton County, 1 in 3 Struggle to Make Ends Meet

ALICE is a United Way acronym which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE represents hard-working households who live paycheck to paycheck; reduced hours, a family emergency, or unexpected expense can be catastrophic. Nearly 37% of all households across Okaloosa and Walton counties are ALICE or living in poverty. ALICE helps us define financial insecurity in our region.

These are our neighbors, our daycare teachers, grocery store associates, hotel clerks, home health aides, and more. They are absolutely essential to our community's success. ALICE households were already on the brink of financial crisis before the pandemic and now, they need our help more than ever before.

The Facts

• The ALICE Household Survival Budget is the bare-minimum cost of household basics (housing, childcare, food, transportation, health care, and a smartphone plan, plus taxes). It does not include savings for emergencies or future goals like college or retirement.
• The Survival Budget for Okaloosa and Walton counties shows a single adult would need to earn at least $15.83 an hour to afford their most basic needs; a family of four would need an annual income of at least $66,384; and a senior citizen would need an annual income of at least $33,558. These costs are well above the Federal Poverty Level of $15,060 for a single adult and $31,200 for a family of four.
• ALICE families are forced to make impossible choices: pay the rent or buy food, receive medical care or pay for childcare, pay utility bills or put gas in the car.
• ALICE often includes those who are working two or more jobs and still cannot pay their bills. Less than 2% of ALICE households are unemployed.

The bottom line is, ALICE households are forced to make difficult choices. They often skip preventative health care, accredited child care, quality food, or car insurance. These "savings" threaten their health, safety, and future, and the costs are high for both ALICE and the wider community.

The ALICE data is especially important now to help stakeholders identify the most vulnerable in our community and direct programming and resources to assist them through the pandemic and the recovery that follows. It is important to shine a light on the challenges ALICE households face and find collaborative solutions.

Access the 2020 Florida ALICE Report here

Access the interactive Florida website here

United Way Emerald Coast has installed three Born Learning Trails, so far, in Okaloosa County:

• Allen Park in Crestview - in partnership with our Emerging Leaders and the City of Crestview
• Ferry Park in Fort Walton Beach - in partnership with United Fidelity Bank, Off the Walls Murals, and the City of Fort Walton Beach
• Liza Jackson in Fort Walton Beach - in partnership with Florida Department of Health - Okaloosa County
• Don Stillwell Park in Fort Walton Beach - in partnership with Florida Department of Health - Okaloosa County
• Rocky Runway in Niceville - in partnership with Early Learning Coalition of The Emerald Coast
• Coming Soon! Wee Care Park in DeFuniak Springs - in partnership with Early Learning Coalition of The Emerald Coast

Born Learning Trails are a series of 10 interactive games for young children marked by engaging instructional signs. The trails turn a trip to the park into an active learning experience, helping children develop skills for school readiness. Based on the latest early childhood research approved by national early learning experts through United Way Worldwide, the Born Learning Trail is designed to help adults interact with children to boost language and literacy development. It also helps caregivers understand how best to support early learning in outdoor everyday moments.

While Born Learning Trails offer families an opportunity to learn and grow together, they also serve as a way for residents and neighbors to get involved in their communities. United Way Emerald Coast offers companies the chance to sponsor trails or build them, making it a great way for organizations to give back to the communities in which their employees live.

If your organization is interested in installing a Born Learning Trail in your community, please contact us at volunteer@united-way.org.

Each year, UWEC mobilizes hundreds of volunteers on a single day of community service. In 2022, 264 volunteers completed 27 projects for local nonprofit organizations, schools, and community sites across Okaloosa and Walton counties - totaling 1056 total volunteer hours!

United Way Emerald Coast proudly serves as the Local Board Administrator for The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP)in Okaloosa and Walton counties. EFSP was created by Congress in 1983 to help meet the needs of hungry and homeless people by allocating federal funds for the provision of food and shelter. For additional details regarding the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), please click here.

Over the last couple of years, Little Free Pantries have been popping up nationwide in an effort to address food disparity. UWEC was recently awarded funding through a CARES Act grant for COVID-19 relief and CHELCO to bring these pantries to our community. These stand-alone, small, weather-proof pantries draw awareness to food insecurity while creating a space for community members to take what they need and give what they can as the need arises.

Little Free Pantries can be found:

• Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast (435 N 9th St., Defuniak Springs, FL 32433)
• Florida Department of Health - Walton County (362 FL-83, Defuniak Springs, FL 32433)
• Matrix Community Outreach Center (37 N 9th St., Defuniak Springs, FL 32433)
• Northwest Florida State College Defuniak Springs campus (908 US-90 W, Defuniak Springs, FL 32433)
• Freeport Library (76 State Hwy 20, Freeport, FL 32439)
• Caring & Sharing of South Walton (112 Lynn Dr., Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459)
• NWFSC Santa Rosa Beach (109 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459)
• LC's Pizza & Subs (901 FL-20, Freeport, FL 32439)
• Paxton Town Hall (21872 US-331, Paxton, FL 32538)
• United Way Emerald Coast's Satellite Office (290 Martin Luther King Jr Ave, Crestview, FL 32536)
• GFWC Women's Club of Crestview (150 Woodlawn Dr, Crestview, FL 32536)
• United Way Emerald Coast's Main Office (112 Tupelo Ave SE, FWB, FL 32548)
• The Children's Center (343 Holmes Blvd NW, FWB, FL 32548)
• Kid's Discovery (2265 US-98, Mary Esther, FL 32569)

We are currently seeking locations in Okaloosa and Walton counties to install Little Free Pantries. If your business or organization is interested please contact us at volunteer@united-way.org.

Read more about the Little Free Pantry initiative.

ReadingPals is an early literacy initiative designed to support children in Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) and kindergarten. Hosted by UWEC in partnership with The Children’s Movement of Florida, the program pairs trained volunteers with 1-2 children to help develop early literacy skills and foster social-emotional growth. By focusing on early intervention and personalized attention, ReadingPals gives students the tools they need for long-term success. Volunteers commit to 30 or 60 minutes each week (or bi-weekly) during school hours or after-school care, meeting in person at local schools. As an individual volunteer, you’ll build a bond with the same student or small group throughout the year. Alternatively, if you volunteer with a friend, you’ll work together to mentor a group of young readers in the classroom or after-school setting. All books, activities, and materials are provided, making it easy for you to focus on what matters most—helping students thrive.

Our children need your help! If you're interested in learning more or ready to volunteer, visit our ReadingPals page. 

It's easy to participate in the nation's largest food drive. All you do is place some non-perishable food by your mailbox and your letter carrier will pick it up and deliver it to our local food banks! In 2019, more than 150,213 pounds of food were collected and distributed to 27 food banks across Okaloosa and Walton counties. 

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is a free, federal program that connects volunteers age 55 and better with the community's most pressing needs. This program is made available by a grant from AmeriCorps Seniors. Volunteers with the RSVP program are matched with opportunities at local nonprofit agencies, utilizing their skills and experience to serve in meaningful ways. 

Want to sign up? Contact volunteer@united-way.org.

Each year, United Way Emerald Coast partners with the Okaloosa County School District and Walton County School District for a School Supply Drive ensuring that every local child has the tools they need to be successful in school. 

Last year, our community was able to impact more than 10,000 local students! Join us in creating a brighter future for our students. Together, united, we'll ensure every child has the opportunity to learn and succeed. Please see our list of needed supplies.