In Central Indiana, poverty is close to inevitable for low-wage workers, especially those with children. Earnings have not kept pace with the cost of living, and many people face systemic inequities and residential segregation, which exacerbate this problem. Hard work alone is often not enough to lift someone out of poverty. 

United Way works with its partners in impact to implement proven strategies to help families improve their economic well-being. United Way uses the two-generation (2Gen) approach to build family well-being by working simultaneously with children and the adults in their lives to create a legacy of educational success and economic prosperity that passes from one generation to the next. 

The snapshot below contains indicators of economic mobility and shows the impact of programs to support individuals and families, as reported by United Way partners in impact.