At United Way of Greater Knoxville (UWGK), we understand that financial stability is crucial for individuals and businesses alike. However, many hardworking employees face the “benefits cliff”—a situation where small increases in income lead to a loss of essential public benefits, making financial progress difficult. To address this challenge, we launched ALICE@Work, a new initiative to help employers understand and tackle these financial barriers in their workforce.
Lavonda T. Cantrell, Vice President of Marketing and Communities and VP of The Hillcrest Healthcare Foundation, shares how the program helped her organization strengthen employee engagement, build empathy, and create new solutions to support their team members.
“We wanted to go through the training not just to build awareness but also to truly understand what our employees face daily. It’s one thing to say, ‘leave your personal life at home,’ but when someone can’t afford childcare or has no reliable transportation, those issues can’t stay at home—they follow them to work.” - Lavonda T. Cantrell
From Awareness to Action: Implementing Real Solutions
Through ALICE@Work Hillcrest Healthcare gained a deeper understanding of their employees’ financial challenges and took action to create meaningful change.
- Connecting Employees to Resources: Hillcrest refers employees to UWGK’s East Tennessee Collaborative (ETC) for personalized financial coaching and access to additional support services.
- Providing Career Advancement Opportunities: Hillcrest Healthcare supported career growth by hiring four individuals from ETC, offering them stable employment and opportunities for professional development within the organization.
- Childcare Solutions: Hillcrest identified affordable, quality childcare as a major barrier for employees and took steps to address it. They applied for a grant in partnership with the YMCA of East Tennessee to establish an on-site childcare center at their Beverly Park skilled nursing community, set to open later this year.
Doug Bryant, SVP of Learning, Diversity, and Talent at Hillcrest Healthcare, also emphasized the value of this partnership:
“I truly enjoy working with United Way of Greater Knoxville because their mission perfectly aligns with the mission of Hillcrest. Together, we are not just achieving goals, but we’re driven by a shared purpose, making each step forward more meaningful and impactful to those we serve.”
ALICE@Work: A Community Effort to Strengthen the Workforce
ALICE@Work is more than a workplace initiative—it is a community-wide effort to build a stronger, more financially stable workforce across East Tennessee. By bringing businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders together, this program fosters real, sustainable solutions that uplift employees and strengthen the regional economy.
“ALICE@Work is about more than just helping employees—it’s about transforming workplace culture.” UWGK Director of Economic Mobility, Kaki Reynolds said “When employers take the time to understand and support their workforce, they create a stronger, more resilient business and a healthier community.”
By joining forces with local businesses, workforce development programs, and community resources, ALICE@Work is driving collective impact. Employers who participate in this program gain access to collaborative solutions, best practices, and strategic guidance to reduce turnover, increase retention, and boost employee engagement.
The Business Case for ALICE@Work
Hillcrest Healthcare’s leadership recognizes that investing in employees isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a wise business decision. Supporting employees through ALICE@Work has increased retention, improved job satisfaction, and created a more resilient workforce.
“Every business should take part in ALICE@Work. It builds awareness, creates empathy, and helps leaders implement real solutions that make a difference in employees’ lives. When your employees feel supported, they stay longer, work harder, and contribute more. That’s the workplace we all want to build.” - Lavonda T. Cantrel
Join Us for an Upcoming Session
Are you ready to strengthen your workforce and create meaningful change in your organization? Join one of our upcoming Lunch and Learn sessions and discover how you can support financial stability for your employees while strengthening your bottom line.
Register for a Lunch and Learn on Tuesday, March 11 at 12 p.m.
Register for a Lunch and Learn on Thursday, March 27 at 12 p.m.
Reserve your spot and take the first step toward becoming an employer of choice.
