Year after year, United Way of Central Alabama’s (UWCA) J. Mason Davis Leadership Society (JMDLS) works to create lasting community impact and help advance a tradition of Black leadership and philanthropy in Central Alabama. JMDLS members recently gathered to kick off the group’s Annual Campaign for UWCA centering on this year’s theme THE POWER OF US. UWCA partner agency YWCA Central Alabama provides some of the many services supported by the JMDLS and, at the kickoff event, YWCA CEO RaSheda Workman highlighted the impact of United Way’s support on their child development, community housing and domestic violence programs.
Keeping Families Together
YWCA’s income-based housing programs provide transitional and long-term housing units for those experiencing housing insecurity. One of these units, Interfaith Hospitality House, is the only shelter in the Greater Birmingham area that can keep a whole family intact.
“Because of Interfaith Hospitality House, mothers across Greater Birmingham don’t have to worry about their families being separated,” said Workman. Once families arrive at Interfaith, YWCA provides services and necessities such as case management, food, clothing and toiletries until they are back on their feet.
A Safe Haven for Survivors
YWCA serves as the state-certified provider of domestic violence services for Jefferson, St. Clair and Blount counties. One of only 15 centers in the state to maintain a confidential domestic violence shelter for women and children, YWCA provides survivor support including a crisis line, legal assistance and community education.
“We are here to empower the community,” said Workman. “When you give [to United Way], it allows us to do even more of this important work.”
A Progressive Place for Children and Youth
YWCA’s nationally accredited child development program, one of only 10% of child development programs in the country to achieve this status, serves children from six weeks to five years old in preparation for attending school. At YWCA’s Family Resource Center, the CREW (Creating Responsible, Educated and Working teens) program partners teenagers with local businesses to provide them with paying job experience during the summer.
Prioritizing Literacy
The JMDLS, named in honor of legendary Birmingham civil rights attorney and community leader J. Mason Davis, is highly focused on fellowship and productive community engagement. Mr. Davis was passionate about promoting childhood literacy and, this year, the society honored this commitment by collecting 189 books for children across Central Alabama. JMDLS Steering Committee Chair Ken Davis spoke about his experience participating in the drive, which supported the diverse needs of area children. “We want to be intentional about what we do so that we reach every child,” said Davis.
JMDLS members also support early literacy by reading to children in UWCA Success By 6 classrooms, preparing book bags for local families and participating in other volunteer projects.
“Our mission and vision are bigger than any one person,” said JMDLS Steering Committee member Jimmie Washington. “Together, we can engage our communities and build a future we believe is possible for our children.”
To learn more about the JMDLS, click here.