Have you heard of the "cliff effect"? "The Cliff Effect refers to the drop off in eligibility for subsidies for health care, food, child care, transportation or housing that working low-income families experience with even a minor rise in earnings," according to the Arlington Community Foundation. "The loss of the subsidies mean the worker has to refuse the raise or better-paying job/not accept the promotion or see their family worse off."

"Because of the benefits cliff, as these families start to earn more through wage increases, higher-paying jobs, or promotions, they lose benefits faster than the value of growing earnings," said Anne Vor der Bruegge, Director of Grants and Initiatives at the Arlington Community Foundation.

Many of Doorways' clients are forced to navigate this cliff on their journeys out of homelessness, instability, and abuse. The continuum of services that Doorways provides — beginning in shelter and continuing beyond families' exit from shelter to supportive housing — is critical. Services include financial counseling, which can help families navigate the cliff effect and other challenges as they work toward achieving stability.

Swing by our office on Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to drop off these items, or purchase them from our Amazon wish list to ship them directly to our offices: