When Work Isn’t Enough: Improving Job Quality for ALICE Households

More than two in five American households struggle to afford basic necessities, like housing, child care, food, and transportation in their communities. In addition to families below the federal poverty level, ALICE® households — those that are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — earn above the poverty line but live paycheck to paycheck. ALICE workers form the backbone of our economy while facing impossible tradeoffs and chronic instability.For many ALICE workers, low wages, unpredictable schedules, limited benefits, and few advancement opportunities make stability difficult to reach. Improving job quality can help ALICE households move from short-term survival toward lasting well-being.This conversation — hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program and United for ALICE on May 19, 2026 — looks at ALICE data and early lessons from ALICE at Work, an innovative approach to working with businesses to improve job quality.The discussion features opening remarks from Stephanie Hoopes, Ph.D. (United For ALICE), followed by panel discussions with Sherra Bennett (Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation), Cary Esperanza Dawson (United For ALICE at Work), Elizabeth McDowell (Hamilton County Schools), Allison Pepin (United For ALICE at Work), Jessica Pilcher (United Way of Greater Chattanooga), Lynn White Sohn (UR Medicine Thompson Health), and moderator Matt Helmer (Aspen Institute).For more information about this event, including a transcript, speaker bios, and additional resources, visit our website. To learn more about United for ALICE, visit: unitedforalice.org.For highlights from this discussion, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Or subscribe to our podcast to listen on the go.This event is part of our Job Quality in Practice series.