Building Pathways to Possibility
Across Southeastern Pennsylvania, a significant number of households are working yet unable to afford basic necessities. ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households earn above the federal poverty level but below the cost of a basic survival budget that includes housing, childcare, food, transportation, and healthcare. In Bucks, Chester, Montgomery, Philadelphia, and Delaware Counties combined, an average of 40% of households fall below the ALICE Threshold (ALICE households or living in poverty.
GOAL: To move beyond awareness toward coordinated, cross-sector solutions that strengthen economic mobility and reduce structural barriers to financial stability.
Addressing this issue requires coordinated, cross-sector engagement. Employers, direct service providers, advocates, and policymakers all influence the systems that shape wages, benefits, and economic mobility. Without shared understanding and aligned action, financial insecurity will continue to undermine workforce participation and longterm economic stability in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
The Summit will educate participants on ALICE data as a measure of financial insecurity, examine benefit cliffs using real-world scenarios, and elevate lived experiences from community members navigating complex public benefit systems. Sessions will highlight promising practices from nonprofit organizations and employers innovating to support wealth-building and workforce stability, as well as policy solutions from other states. The series will educate participants on ALICE data as a measure of financial insecurity, examine benefit cliffs using real-world scenarios, and elevate lived experiences from community members navigating complex public benefit systems. Sessions will highlight promising practices from nonprofit organizations and employers innovating to support wealth-building and workforce stability, as well as policy solutions from other states.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Time: Doors/Breakfast @ 8:00am. Conference starts promptly at 9:00am ending at 3:30pm
Location: Gwynedd Mercy University, 1400 Evans Road, Ambler, PA 19002
Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Time: Doors/Breakfast @ 8:00am. Conference starts promptly at 9:00am ending at 3:30pm
Location: WHYY Studios, 150 N. Sixth Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106