WELCOME TO THE CENTER FOR STRONG FAMILIES
No family should struggle to make ends meet. Yet, 1 in 3 working families in Pierce County can’t afford the basics. Fortunately, United Way of Pierce County and community partners are developing a plan to help families in need by providing the tools and resources they need to thrive.
When we help families in our local community avert financial crisis, and improve financial stability, we can prevent much more costly consequences that affect our entire community.
In 2016, we launched an innovative model that brings together a strong network of partners to implement proven strategies to address struggling families called United Way of Pierce County’s Center for Strong Families. By focusing on improving the financial bottom line for low- to moderate-income families so they can become more self-sufficient, more families are able to increase their income, decrease expenses, build credit and acquire assets.
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Growing Resilience In Tacoma (GRIT) is a 13-month guaranteed income research demonstration that we ran in partnership with the City of Tacoma, Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, and the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Guaranteed Income.
From December 2021 to December 2022, GRIT gifted 110 Tacoma ALICE families $500 a month, a total of $715,000. These dollars were unconditional and had no strings attached.
GRIT was designed to demonstrate that a modest, no strings attached, cash investment can improve economic stability, housing security, mental health and well-being, and reduce poverty in our community.
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Individual Development Accounts - or IDAs - are a savings account that is matched 1:1 for a participant’s savings up to a maximum of $10,000 in matching funds.
These accounts support asset building and investment purchases aimed at enhancing self-sufficiency, such as purchasing a home or starting a small business.
Participants may make withdrawals for approved purposes once financial coaching and savings plan goals are met, on or before June 30, 2025.
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This program works by connecting low-income families with early childhood education, job training and other tools to achieve greater financial stability while also equipping parents and children with the supports and skills needed to thrive. Siemer Institute has partnered with UWPC and Tacoma Housing Authority to deliver service.