Everyone deserves the stability to weather a storm—and the opportunity to build a thriving future.

Too many families in Forsyth County live one unexpected expense away from crisis. At the Asset Building Coalition, we work to change that.

What is Asset Poverty?

Asset poverty is when a family lacks the financial cushion to cover basic needs—like housing, food, and childcare—for three months if their income is disrupted.

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In Forsyth County, 1 in 4, or 23%, of Forsyth County households face this invisible crisis, impacting their ability to afford their basic needs.

Why Does it Matter?

Meet Cheryl and Jefferson

Meet Cheryl & Jefferson

Cheryl and Jefferson both started their careers after college with the same drive and determination. But when an unexpected expense hits, their outcomes look very different. This isn’t about personal choices—it’s about the resources you have when life happens.

ABC Forsyth Logo Mark

Let’s Build Solutions Together.

People at a community meeting

Advocacy

Asset poverty is a community-level issue that requires a coordinated, community-level response.

The Benefits Cliff

The Benefits Cliff is when a pay raise results in a net loss of combined income and benefits.

A person paying bills
Married couple talking about their finances

Forsyth Living Wage

A living wage is the minimum income needed for a worker to meet their basic needs.

The ABC Data Exchange

An informational resource that offers in-depth data and context on the issue of Asset Poverty in Forsyth County, North Carolina.

People talking about money

Our Coalition is 30 Members Strong, and Growing.

Action4Equity Logo
Crisis Control Ministry logo
Center for the Study of Economic Mobility logo
ESR logo
Fuller Impact Logo
Greater Winston-Salem logo
Hustle Winston-Salem Logo
LoveOut Loud logo
Pivot Ministries
Prosperity Now Logo
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina
Smart Start of Forsyth County logo

The CAREs Project

United Way of Forsyth County Logo
The YMCA of Northwest North Carolina

Individual Members

Bill Lawler, community member

Kaisha McDermott-Carter, community member

Karl F. Yena, nonprofit consultant

Tyler Sparks, Communications Consultant