In today’s challenging economy, more than one in three working households in Hamilton County struggle to make ends meet. More than 9,500 households with children are living in financial hardship. These families fall into the category known as ALICE: Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed. For these ALICE families, the workplace is more than just a place to earn a paycheck—it’s a lifeline.

Recognizing the crucial role workplaces play, United Way of Greater Chattanooga brought together more than 300 leaders from business, nonprofit, and government sectors on Tuesday, Aug. 27, to explore how family-friendly practices can reshape the community.

The 2024 Summit, presented by TextCare, wasn’t just another networking event. It was a collaborative effort to create actionable solutions. Leaders connected, shared insights, and left with tools to foster more supportive work environments. Topics ranged from workforce trends to real solutions in providing flexibility, parental leave, and childcare support. Local organizations supporting this work include TextCare, Tennessee Valley Authority, KinderCare, Unum, Southern Champion Tray, Kenco, Benwood Foundation and the Maclellan Foundation.

United Way of Greater Chattanooga CEO Lesley Scearce summed up the day’s mission: “Our workplaces’ health is directly connected to our families’ health, which ultimately connects to our shared future. That’s what today is all about.” The event featured an impressive lineup of speakers, including Mayor Tim Kelly, Mayor Weston Wamp and Congressman Chuck Fleischmann, all underscoring the importance of creating workplaces that support families.

To bring these ideas to life, local organizations shared actionable steps they’ve taken to support their employees:

Rebecca Wilson, group vice president of human resources at Kenco Group, highlighted how technology-driven flexibility is transforming their workforce. Kenco introduced the “Shift Swap” program in 2022, allowing hourly warehouse staff to exchange shifts for better work-life balance. These initiatives have paid off—voluntary turnover dropped by 27% from 2022 to 2023.

Southern Champion Tray teamed up with United Way of Greater Chattanooga to create a dynamic onboarding experience that helps new employees form strong social connections within the company and the community. New hires participate in an onsite volunteer activity, which has resulted in the creation of 225 snack packs for local nonprofits.

Coca-Cola UNITED has taken a holistic approach to compensation. Giannetta Jones, senior vice president and chief people officer, shared how ALICE data influenced their pay strategy. “After connecting with United Way and learning about the ALICE data, we realized the importance of understanding our associates’ total expenses, including housing, childcare, and food. ALICE has provided us with a holistic view, allowing us to make better decisions on what constitutes competitive wages compared to total living expenses.”

The Children’s Advocacy Center has developed an innovative parental leave policy that spans three stages: six fully paid weeks of bonding time, another six weeks of adjustment when returning to work, and an additional six weeks if needed for medical recovery. This policy applies to all parents, regardless of how they welcome their child into their family.

Blood Assurance enhanced its support for working families by introducing TextCare, an innovative telehealth platform that provides healthcare at employees’ fingertips, addressing the need for accessible and cost-effective health benefits.

The Summit wasn’t just about speeches—it was about real stories. Dr. Karen Eastman, dean of math and sciences at Chattanooga State Community College and a foster mom, shared her experiences. “You can’t always create a policy for every unique need, but you can listen and check in,” she said, emphasizing the power of empathy in the workplace.

As the day wrapped up, leaders left with a clear message: making meaningful changes in their organizations isn’t just possible—it’s necessary. And they now have the tools to make it happen.

For more resources and local case studies, download the Engagement Resource Guide. To join the movement, you can visit unitedwaycha.org/workingfamilies.