Page 5 - Annual Report 2021 corr proof 2-15

United Way was built for times like these. We’re

both the community’s safety net in times of crisis

and a forward-looking problem solver.

with the health departments of Jefferson County and the State Services and a growing regional network of housing counselors
of Alabama to provide support services to those facing hardship within our Housing Alliance. On a parallel track, our Priority Veteran
when required to quarantine due to COVID-19. program helped 578 military veterans in need of stable housing,
employment and financial counseling.
To help children make up for learning loss from the pandemic,
UWCA’s Bold Goals Coalition launched the Bold Goals Academy last Going forward, extending all vital services into distressed
year. Partner agencies teamed up with Birmingham City Schools to neighborhoods will be a major focus of UWCA. We know that vast
lead a variety of in-person, in-depth and engaging classes throughout disparities in the availability of healthcare, healthy food, mental health
the summer. Meanwhile, our Success By 6 early-learning program services, daycare, senior centers, after-school programs, tutoring
was implemented in 63 area classrooms, helping more than 1,800 and financial education, just to name a few, exist throughout Central
children be better prepared for school. Alabama. Ensuring equitable access to services, regardless of where
someone lives, is an essential step toward building a stronger
Once again, our Meals on Wheels program never missed a day of community for us all.
service to homebound seniors even in the midst of a pandemic. Not
only did our dedicated staff and downsized army of volunteers work United Way was built for times like these. Together, we are both the
tirelessly to deliver more than 426,000 meals to about 1,700 clients community’s safety net in times of crisis and a forward-looking
last year, but the program also added 744 new clients to its roster. problem solver. We create and manage programs to address critical
needs. And we’re a force for volunteerism, giving ordinary people
The broader array of senior-specific programs provided by our Area the opportunity to make an extraordinary difference in our community.
Agency on Aging helped more than 16,000 people last year through
services ranging from Medicare counseling and caregiver support to It’s through your generosity that we’re able to function on all these
legal assistance. New programs for seniors were also created in 2021, levels. We are deeply grateful for your ongoing support and look
including nutrition counseling and preventive health classes. forward to an even better and brighter 2022.

We continued to extend outreach in the areas of financial literacy and
counseling with services such as Free Tax Preparation, Financial and
Housing Education, the Individual Development Account, Family Stability

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