GROTTOES, VA (Rocktown Now) – United Way announced Tuesday, April 8, that it is growing to include Staunton, Augusta County, and Waynesboro, strengthening its commitment to assisting ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households on the road to financial stability.  

“This expansion is about more than geography — it’s about meeting ALICE households where they are. It is about building partnerships, strengthening support systems, and ensuring that working households in Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County have access to the resources they need; while building upon the resilient foundation we have set in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County,” said Amanda Leech, Executive Director of United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.  

Amanda Leech, Executive Director, United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.

The expansion follows United Way’s strategic shift in 2023, when the organization refined its mission to “improving lives by connecting and mobilizing community resources.” With a clear focus on ALICE households and a vision for a strong, equitable, and accessible support network, United Way has launched targeted initiatives that address barriers to stability — ensuring working families can stay employed and build a more secure future. 

To ensure community voices shape its efforts, United Way will host listening sessions across the Central Shenandoah Valley in the coming months. These sessions will give residents, businesses, and nonprofits an opportunity to share insights and collaborate on efforts to meet the unique needs of ALICE households. Community members can also make their voices heard by visiting uwhr.org, where an expansion page now features a survey. 

“United Way’s greatest strength is our vast network of nearly 1,000 locally run United Ways working in communities across the U.S. and in almost 40 countries worldwide. Here in Virginia and beyond, we see bright spots of impact every day, proving that when we come together, we can create real, lasting change,” said John Emge, Senior Director, Global Network Advancement, United Way Worldwide. “Our communities, like those here in the Central Shenandoah Valley, are counting on us now more than ever. As the world changes, United Ways must be agile, intentional, and ready to meet the evolving needs of the people we serve. It’s inspiring to see United Way here taking bold steps to build a stronger, more sustainable future.” 

According to the latest Virginia ALICE Report, 1 in 3 households across Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, Staunton, Augusta County, and Waynesboro are part of the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population. These households earn above the federal poverty level but still struggle to afford essentials like housing, childcare, transportation, leaving ALICE one unexpected expense away from crisis. 

United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County is focused on addressing these challenges through a network of targeted support. Since 2023, assistance for ALICE reached over 400 households — more than 1,200 individuals — with a total of $54,788 in emergency payments to help families get to work and stay at work. As a 211 Virginia anchor agency, United Way guides clients toward the right support at the right time. 

Initiatives such as Tools for School help ease the financial burden of back-to-school season. In 2024, the third annual resource fair connected 781 families with essential supplies and 19 local organizations. In January 2025, United Way launched its first Family Engagement Night in partnership with five nonprofit childcare centers, welcoming 184 attendees from 52 families and introducing them to 13 local assistance resources. Over the past year, United Way has invested $90,000 in six programs that support ALICE families, ensuring they have the resources needed to get to work.  

Angela DeBoskey, Executive Director, United Way of Virginia.

Executive Director of United Way of Virginia, Angela DeBoskey, said there is a different way to advocate at the state and federal level by having the communities come together.

“To say, ‘Here’s what our communities need,'” said DeBoskey. “‘We are the local experts. Get behind us, we’ll show you how we see our communities and how we can make lasting change.”

As United Way expands into Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County, its vision remains the same: to build a strong, equitable, and accessible support system that meets the needs of working households across the region. 

Braydon Hoover, President, Board of Directors, United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County; VP for Enrollment at EMU.

 “Looking back, our organization has never shied away from challenges, from funding early childhood education to finding ways to assist ALICE households overcome the barriers of getting to work and staying at work. This expansion in the Central Shenandoah Valley is a continuation of that legacy,” said Braydon Hoover, Board of Directors President at United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. 

 For more information or to provide feedback for the expansion, click the link here: SAW — United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County