One Flat Tire Away: The Reality For Working Families in Our Community

May 5, 2026

One Flat Tire Away: The Reality for Working Families in Our Community

By: Ashley Hershberger


Around Holmes and Wayne Counties, people are doing what they’re supposed to do.
They’re working.
They’re showing up.
They’re trying to get ahead.


And still, far too many of our friends and neighbors are one flat tire, one home repair, or one unexpected bill away from falling behind.


At United Way Wayne and Holmes Counties, we hear this story all the time… from families, employers, school staff, churches, and local businesses. The problem isn’t effort. It’s that when something goes wrong, there’s just not much wiggle room.


Who Is ALICE?


You might hear our team talk about ALICE. It sounds like data, but it’s really the people we know: coworkers, parents from ball practice, folks sitting next to us at church and our own family members.


ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.


In plain terms: people who are working, but still can’t quite afford the basics.


That includes things like housing, food, transportation, childcare, and healthcare.


Here’s what that looks like in our community:


Holmes County

  • 31% of households are ALICE
  • 9% live in poverty

Wayne County

  • 26% of households are ALICE
  • 11% live in poverty


That means 40% of households in Holmes County and 37% in Wayne County are living at or below the basic cost of living.

These families aren’t avoiding work. Many are working full‑time, sometimes multiple jobs, and still making tough choices:


  • Fix the car or pay the electric bill
  • Buy groceries or fill a prescription
  • Pay for childcare or turn down a better job


That’s not bad decision‑making.
That’s a math problem.


What Household Survival Budgets Tell Us


United Way uses Household Survival Budgets to understand what it actually costs to live. Not get ahead, not save… just cover the basics.

When you add it all up (rent/mortgage, utilities, food, childcare, gas, healthcare, and taxes) a lot of working families simply don’t earn enough to keep up. Wages haven’t kept pace with real life costs, especially in areas like ours where getting to work often means getting in a car that you yourself are responsible for.

That’s why so many hardworking people fall into the ALICE category, even while doing everything “right.” (See example budgets below)

Source: www.unitedforalice.org

This is where United Way’s Employment Resource Fund (ERF) comes in.


The ERF is simple by design. It helps people get a job, keep a job, or move into a better job by covering small, work‑related expenses that often come at the worst possible time.


We’re talking about things like:

  • Work boots, uniforms, or scrubs
  • Tools required for a job
  • Certification or licensing fees
  • Emergency car repairs so someone can get to work


Help is usually up to $500 total per person. Not huge money, but often just enough to keep someone working.

If and when someone is able, they may give back by volunteering or repaying the fund once they’re steady again. It’s neighbors helping neighbors, and then paying it forward.


Wayne County’s Story


This fund isn’t new.


In Wayne County, the Employment Resource Fund has been helping working adults for decades.

It all started back in 1987, when an adult education student, Dr. Jonnie Jill Phipps, saw classmates struggling to afford gas, tools, clothing, even haircuts. She made the first donation to help.


Over time, the fund grew. It was cared for by local schools and agencies, then later moved to the Wayne County Community Foundation, where it is still housed today. The fund is now administered by United Way, with guidance from a local steering committee made up of community members.

Because of that strong foundation, the Wayne County ERF has already helped hundreds of people stay employed and move forward.

It works because it’s:

  • Fast when timing matters
  • Practical and focused on work
  • Local and community‑led
  • Respectful of people’s dignity


Many folks think of it like a community savings account. Money set aside to help working people when they hit a bump in the road.


Now, We’re Bringing The ERF to Holmes County


While this model has worked in Wayne County for years, the Employment Resource Fund is new to Holmes County.

The Holmes County Employment Resource Fund is being built by our team at United Way to help in those moments, when one small expense could snowball into a bigger problem.


These aren’t big bills.


But at the right time, they can mean the difference between staying on the job or falling behind.  (See example budget below)


Local Businesses See This Firsthand


Local businesses often see these struggles long before a form gets filled out or a phone call gets made.


At Holmes Tire in Millersburg, a flat tire or unexpected repair is rarely “just car trouble.” For many working folks, it’s the difference between getting to work or calling off, keeping hours or losing them. Standing at the counter, you can feel the weight of that moment, the worry about how to pay, the stress of what missing work means, the quiet hope that there might be a solution.


I’ve watched grace show up there while I was waiting in line to pay my own bill. Someone explaining their situation. A business choosing to work with them instead of turning them away. And the visible relief when a problem is solved. Not perfectly, not permanently, but enough to keep moving forward. Enough to get to work tomorrow.


Through a new partnership with Holmes Pest Control, we see that same care play out in a different setting. They regularly encounter working families dealing with a tough season. When they can, they look for ways to help, and are now offering reduced services for those who qualify through the Holmes County Employment Resource Fund.


What matters is this: these businesses still have to run strong, sustainable operations. They’re not acting out of obligation, they’re not dishing out handouts, they’re acting out of commitment to their neighbors and their community.


And when businesses, United Way, and the community work together, those moments of help add up to something bigger. People staying on the job, families staying stable, and a community that takes care of its own.


If This Sounds Like You, Here’s What to Do


If you’re reading this and thinking, this is me, I am ALICE… you’re not alone.


If you’re working and hit a rough patch, United Way can help connect you to support.


Email: info@uwwh.org
Call: 2‑1‑1 or (330) 263‑6363


We’ll listen, talk through what’s going on, and help connect you to the right help… quickly, privately, and with respect.


How You Can Help


This work only happens because people care about their community.

You can help by:

  • Donating to the Employment Resource Fund
  • Holmes County
  • Wayne County
  • Sponsoring the fund as a business or organization
  • Offering services or reduced pricing as a local partner
  • Simply sharing this information with someone who might need it


Sometimes the solution isn’t a big program.


Sometimes it’s help showing up right when it’s needed… keeping someone working, a family steady, and our community strong.


That’s why these funds exist.
That’s why United Way shows up.
And that’s why this work matters, to all of us.

The Day Off That Opened My Eyes

By Kayley Cox • April 6, 2026
The Day Off That Opened My Eyes I took the day off to chaperone my son’s Kindergarten field trip: fun, sweet, and honestly pretty exhausting. After dropping him back at school, I ran to the grocery store. At the checkout, the cashier asked how my day was going. I laughed and told her I was a little tired from keeping up with a group of five-year-olds all day at the field trip. She smiled and said she understood. She had recently retired from a local school district, and then she shared something that made me pause. Despite having worked all those years, she couldn’t afford to stay retired. She was still too young for Medicare, and health insurance premiums were simply unaffordable without additional income. Even with Social Security survivor benefits from her late husband, she was struggling to get by. So, she returned to the workforce. And she’s not alone. Far too many older adults are finding themselves in similar positions: forced back into work not because they want to, but because our systems leave them with no choice. Rising healthcare costs, gaps before Medicare eligibility, and limited fixed incomes mean many retirees simply cannot cover their basic needs. This wasn’t just a conversation in a grocery store checkout line. It was a reminder that the people who spent decades serving our communities, teaching, caregiving, supporting essential services, often face their own unseen challenges. We can do better. We have to do better. If this story resonates with you, here are a few meaningful ways you can help create change: 1. Support organizations helping older adults access healthcare and financial stability. United Way Wayne and Holmes partners with dozens of local nonprofits to support seniors who have nowhere else to turn. 2. Advocate for policies that protect affordable healthcare, strengthen Social Security, and support aging with dignity. Your voice truly matters. 3. Check in on retirees in your life. A simple “How are you really doing?” can make all the difference. 4. Get involved. Volunteer, donate, or share this message. Every action counts! Our older adults deserve more than scraping by. They deserve dignity, stability, and the ability to enjoy the retirement they worked for. Let’s work together to make that a reality.  For information about how to donate to help our Older Adults in Wayne and Holmes, go to uwwh.org, email us at info@uwwh.org or call (330) 264-5576.

You Don't Know, What You Don't Know

By Kayley Cox • March 5, 2026
You Don’t Know, What You Don’t Know At United Way, one of the most meaningful parts of my job is helping community members discover the resources that already exist to support them. Holmes and Wayne Counties are filled with compassionate organizations and services ready to help, but too often, people simply don’t know where to start. That’s where WHIRE/211 comes in. And although 211 has been in our community for over 60 years, many people still have no idea it exists. If you’ve never heard of 211, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most powerful tools we have, and yet, I constantly hear these same reactions when I mention it: “Wow, I had no idea.” “This was so informative.” “I wish I knew this sooner.” 📞 What Is 211? 211 is our local, 24/7 resource hotline. With just one call to 211 or the direct line (330) 263-6363, you’re connected to a live, compassionate operator who can guide you to essential services in our area. Whether you’re looking for: 🥫 Food assistance 🏠 Housing support 💼 Workforce development 🧠 Mental health services 🚗 Transportation help 👶 Childcare options …or any other community resource, 211 is your starting point. And the best part? It’s anonymous and available 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 (or 366 if leap year) days a year. 💬 Why Awareness Matters I’ve spoken at schools, met with nonprofits, and presented to local businesses. And every time, I’m reminded of how powerful awareness can be. People are genuinely surprised to learn how much help is just one phone call away. So many resources that our own community members don’t know exist. That’s why spreading the word about 211 is so important. Whether you’re a community leader, a neighbor, or someone simply looking for help, knowing about 211 can make all the difference.  📣 Help Us Share the Message If you’ve used 211, tell someone about it. If you haven’t, save the number. And if you’re part of a group, organization, or business that serves our community, consider inviting United Way to share more about how 211 is a free resource right in our community. To schedule a brief presentation or meeting about WHIRE/211, contact me at kayley@uwwh.org Because you don’t know what you don’t know, but now that you do, share it. The more we know, the more we can help, and the stronger our community becomes.

A Reset Year That Makes Us Stronger: What’s Coming Next for United Way Wayne & Holmes Counties

By Katie Koglman • December 8, 2025
A Reset Year That Makes Us Stronger: What’s Coming Next for United Way Wayne & Holmes Counties By Katie Koglman Every once in a while, you hit a point where you know things have to change not because something is wrong, but because you want to build something stronger. That’s exactly where we are at United Way Wayne & Holmes Counties. We’ve spent nearly seventy years running our grantmaking on a pledged model. People promise donations during campaign season, and we make grant decisions based on those promises. For a long time, that worked. But the world is different now. Donor behavior is different. And the last few years have taught all nonprofits the same lesson: you can’t invest dollars you don’t actually have yet. So we’re taking 2026 to shift into a cash-on-hand model. It’s responsible. It’s transparent. And honestly, it’s overdue. So What Does That Mean Right Now? It means we’re taking the rest of 2025 and 2026 as a reset time. No new grants. No application cycles. No rushing agencies through a process that needs to be redesigned anyway. Our Board of Directors are spending this time rebuilding our criteria, tools, and scoring with intention not just “because that’s how we’ve always done it.” The new, modernized grant cycle will open Spring 2026. Clear, fair, and grounded in the real dollars we have on hand. Our current core community partners have already been awarded unrestricted grants for the start of 2026. But Let Me Be Clear: 2025 Was NOT a Quiet Year Far from it. If anything, this year proved that United Way Wayne and Holmes is at its best when we can respond quickly and fill the gaps others can’t. Your Volunteer Investment Team made big, thoughtful grants in 2025 From behavioral health to crisis services, youth development, addiction recovery, arts access, job support, and more—our volunteers showed up with intention and heart. Providing the following organizations with programmatic funds: · American Red Cross – $30,000 · Anazao Community Partners – $92,724.50 · Catholic Charities – $82,000 · Children’s Advocacy Center – $60,945 · Goodwill Industries – $55,000 · Holmes Center for the Arts – $11,000 · NAMI Wayne and Holmes Counties – $33,500 · Learn N Play – $20,000 · OneEighty, Inc. – $135,000 · Orrville Area Boys & Girls Club (Rittman) – $22,500 · Salvation Army – Wooster – $70,000 · The Counseling Center – $58,500 · Viola Startzman Clinic – $100,000 · Wayne County Schools Career Center – $17,560.50 · YMCA – $50,000 · IncludeAbility – $12,500 · Nick Amster, Inc. – $4,050 · Norwayne Local Schools – $4,650 Our Board stepped up with responsive funding We supported after-school care, emergency housing, mobile vaccine access, sensory needs, food programs, and community-led ideas that deserved a boost. Providing the following organizations with timely, need based funding: · Kevin McAllister Fund – $100 · ASPIRE – $100 · Holmes County General Health District (Mobile Vaccine Unit) – $5,000 · West Salem Outreach – Food Assistance – $2,000 · Catholic Charities – $500 (Gifts of Gratitude nomination) · YMCA – Holmes County Before & After School Care – $25,000 · Habitat for Humanity – Holmes County – $7,500 · Knights Academy – Meal Prep Classes – $2,000 · West Holmes Early Intervention – Sensory Furniture – $2,000 · Viola Startzman Clinic – West Salem Expanded Services – $5,000 · Community Action Wayne/Medina – Emergency Housing Assistance – $5,000 · West Holmes Middle School – Shop with a Teacher – $1,250 And Operation SNAP GAP helped local food programs stay afloat With the changes to SNAP benefits, the need has grown and we made sure the following local food pantries had support when they needed it most. · Christ’s Cupboard – $250 · Community Action Wayne/Medina – $1,000 · Crown Hill Mennonite – $250 · Faith Fellowship – $250 · Glenmont Food Pantry – $250 · Homeward Bound – $250 · Lakeville United Methodist – $250 · Millersburg Church of God – $500 · Millersburg First Presbyterian – $250 · People to People Ministries – $250 · Pregnancy Care Center – $250 · Rittman United Methodist – $250 · The Love Center Food Pantry – $250 · The Server – $1,000 · West Salem Outreach – $1,000 · Wooster Hope Center – $250 · YMCA of Wayne County – $250 We didn’t slow down. We just shifted how we moved. Why This Reset Matters (And Why I’m So Proud of It) I’ll say it plainly: This transition makes us better stewards of community dollars. It puts us on stable ground. It lets us invest confidently. And it opens the door for more nonprofits to be part of the process moving forward. Our Board President, Bonnie Ferguson Hall, has been a tremendous partner in this work. Her leadership reflects exactly what we want this reset to stand for: clarity, accountability, and community first. This isn’t about giving less. It’s about giving smarter, stronger, and more sustainably. Looking Ahead to Spring 2026 We’ll roll out clear information early next year about: what the applications will look like eligibility funding priorities how scoring works timelines and deadlines My goal? A process that nonprofits don’t dread and one that reflects the real challenges and opportunities in Wayne and Holmes Counties. Thank You for Trusting Us While We Do This Work You’ve allowed us to hit the reset button for the right reasons. And because of that, we’re going to be able to support more people, more organizations, and more needs in the years ahead. This is a rebuilding year and a strengthening year. The truth? I’ve never been more optimistic about where we’re headed. And I can’t wait for 2026.
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