“Despite the critical nature of many jobs to keep our local economies running – educating our youngest children, keeping our ailing parent safe – these workers often struggle to keep their own households from financial ruin.” - Quote from unitedforalice.org; image made in Canva. Learn more at our February event!
We are excited to announce a community collaboration with the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties, the MTSU Department of Social Work, the MTSU Department of Human Sciences, and others to discuss quality of life in Rutherford County.
Meagan Flippin and Kristen Swann, both with the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties, will present information on the ALICE project. ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed - a new way of defining and understanding the struggles of households that earn above the Federal Poverty Level, but not enough to afford a bare-bones household budget.
According to most recent data, 45% of households in Rutherford County are struggling. While 9% are below Federal Poverty Level, another 36% are identified as ALICE - households earning above poverty level, but not enough to afford basic household necessities. Our program will consider more about the metrics and implications of data specific to Rutherford County.
The public is invited. Elected officials and candidates/potential candidates running in the 2022 elections are especially encouraged to attend.
In person and virtual meeting options
The meeting will be held Tuesday, Feb. 8, from 6:00 - 7:30 PM.
In person
Miller Meeting Room at the Miller Education Center
503 E. Bell St.
Parking at the building and the lot diagonally across the street is free. Enter through the breezeway area.
This is a large room and we expect plenty of space for physical distancing. Masks are encouraged.
Virtual
Join our Zoom webinar at https://mtsu.zoom.us/j/86210407341?pwd=dTduUFJxcmNWZW15Wmo0UDRvblBlQT09
Q&A will be available via Zoom.
About our speakers
Meagan Flippin photo courtesy United Way
Meagan Flippin has served as the President and CEO of the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties since January 2013. She has led a strategic organizational transformation and collaborates with the board of directors and staff to deliver on United Way’s mission and vision. In her role, Flippin oversees finance, operations, development, IT, programs and services, marketing, and volunteer engagement. Under her leadership, United Way has experienced record annual giving and the launch of an endowment campaign that exceeded initial goals by 500%. The seven largest gifts in United Way’s history and initiatives such as the Young Leaders Society, Catalyst, the Bold Goals 2030, the Legacy Society, and Volunteer Connect, among others, have all been launched during Meagan’s tenure as President and CEO.
Kristin Swann photo courtesy United Way
Kristen Swann is currently the Vice President for Collective Impact and Strategic Initiatives at the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties. For the past 11 years, she has served in marketing and community impact roles in both non-profit and for-profit organizations. Swann holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Mississippi State University and a master’s degree in Communication from Middle Tennessee State University. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading and spending time with her husband Travis and their cats Frank and Flossie.