(MURFREESBORO)  A week from now, at 6:00 o'clock Tuesday, February 8, 2022, MTSU, United Way and the League of Women Voters jointly present “United for Alice: Examining Our Quality of Life" in the Miller Education Center, 503 Bell St. The event is free and open to the public, and free parking is available.  

According to MTSU's Department of Social Work Chair Cathy McElderry, “United for Alice: Examining Our Quality of Life is a new way of conceptualizing and presenting information on the difficulties of households that earn above the federal poverty level but remain economically challenged to meet basic necessities of housing, child care, food, transportation, technology and health care.”

ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. The event will shed light on Rutherford County’s neediest residents.

United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties President and CEO Meagan Flippin will present the ALICE data set for Rutherford County.

McElderry noted, “ALICE is a new way of conceptualizing and presenting information on the difficulties of households that earn above the federal poverty level but remain economically challenged to meet basic necessities of housing, child care, food, transportation, technology and health care”

MTSU's Department of Human Sciences Chair Gina Pisut commented, “Such joint efforts have the power to raise awareness and elicit discussions for solutions to support these families,” said Pisut. “With an upcoming election cycle, this topic deserves much attention.”

She said that students in both departments will help welcome guests and elected officials and network with community stakeholders.

McElderry said faculty are discussing possible joint classroom and experiential activities in which students could work together regarding the issue.

Again, the public is encouraged to attend the ALICE presentation from 6:00 to 7:30 Tuesday evening, February 9, 2022, in the Miller Education Center, 503 Bell St. Parking and admission are free.