Blount County
How United Way of Central Alabama Supports Blount County
Through donor support, strategic partnerships, state and federal funding and our own programs, we invest in solutions that improve lives and strengthen communities across Central Alabama.
The Blount County United Way merged with UWCA in 1987, launching its first campaign under Chair Hoy Taylor of First Alabama Bank (now Regions Bank) and raising $44,500. Today, the Blount County division brings together local businesses, government, nonprofits and individuals to address the county’s most pressing needs.
The mission of United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) is to increase people’s capacity to care for one another and improve their communities.
By combining local insight with regional resources, UWCA tackles challenges in Blount County through targeted investments, coalitions and community service programs—ensuring that support reaches where it’s needed most.
Stories of Impact in Blount County:
SERVING OTHERS, HELPING NEIGHBORS
Mitchie and Les Neel support United Way of Central Alabama because they believe in helping neighbors and strengthening the community they love. As members of UWCA’s Blount County Advisory Board, they help direct resources to local needs—from supporting local organizations to improving students’ academic success.
The Way We Serve Blount County
Blount County residents were served by United Way of Central Alabama agencies and programs
Agencies and programs funded by United Way provide services to Blount County residents
Children and caregivers were delivered trauma‑informed advocacy, court support, and referrals to medical and mental health care, with one year of follow‑up per family under National Children’s Alliance–accredited standards
Students received abuse education across Blount County and Oneonta City schools, with approximately 80% demonstrating strong understanding of abuse prevention and reporting
Blount County youth matched with screened adult mentors, strengthening academic performance, reducing risky behaviors, and building long‑term educational and career readiness through sustained one‑to‑one mentoring relationships
Girls in Blount County engaged in leadership, STEM and life‑skills programming that strengthened academic confidence, resilience and healthy decision making, with participants achieving an average post-test score of 90%
Blount County Spotlight:
Blount County Education Foundation
The Blount County Education Foundation promotes academic excellence in Blount County Schools through classroom grants and funding for special projects ranging from leadership development programs and media library upgrades to summer learning. Summer study and meal programs, which are vital to students’ retention and momentum, are typically presented in the form of specialized “camps.” Subjects addressed in these summer programs include reading, math, arts, science, life skills, nature, firefighting and farming. Since 1998, the Foundation has awarded more than 3,000 classroom grants and provided more than $9.7 million to support Blount County students and teachers.
UWCA Blount County Partners
¡HICA!
Alabama Head Injury Foundation
Alabama Kidney Foundation
Amelia Center
American Cancer Society
American Heart Association
American Red Cross serving Mid-Alabama
Arc of Central Alabama
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham
Blount County Aid to Homeless Children*
Blount County Children’s Center*
Blount County Schools*
Blount County Education Foundation*
Blount Literacy Council*
Blountsville Public Library*
Bridging the Gap in Blount County*
Catholic Family Services
Childcare Resources
Children’s Aid Society of Alabama
Children’s of Alabama
Community Food Bank of Central Alabama
Crisis Center
Disability Rights and Resources
Easterseals of the Birmingham Area
Gateway
Girl Scouts of North Central Alabama
Girls Incorporated of Central Alabama
Glenwood, Inc.
Helping Families Initiative – Blount County*
Literacy Council of Central Alabama
Oneonta City Schools*
Positive Maturity
Riley Center
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama
SafeHouse of Shelby County
Scouting America – Greater Alabama Council
Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Central Alabama Chapter
Susan Moore Elementary School*
Travelers Aid Society of Birmingham
United Ability
Workshops, Inc.
YWCA of Central Alabama
*Office headquartered in county
Note: Investments are sent to each agency’s home office, which may be located outside the county’s borders.
The amount of the total allocation distributed to satellite programs is left entirely to the discretion of each agency’s leadership.
Need Help? Get Help.
Call 211.
Free and confidential for anyone who’s facing hardship, our 211 Information and Referral Line connects those in need with critical services.
A Call Specialist will search more than 800 community organizations throughout Alabama to find the help you need. If you or someone you know is struggling, we urge you to make the call to get the help and support you need.
CALL – For assistance, dial 211 or 888-421-1266 (toll-free). If you’re hearing impaired, call 7-1-1 and ask to connect to 211 Connects Alabama.
TEXT – Text your ZIP code to 898-211 to chat with a 211 specialist.
SEARCH – Search the 211 online database for a comprehensive list of local services.
Blount County News
For Mitchie and Les Neel, Serving Others Is a Responsibility
Alongside her husband Les, Mitchie Neel has spent years supporting United Way connecting local organizations with resources that strengthen lives across her county.
Oneonta Senior Center Restores Homebound Meals Through United Way Community Project Grant
For nearly 22 years, Anna Reeves has delivered meals to homebound seniors through the Oneonta Senior Center. A lifelong Oneonta
EXCEL Helps Expand Childcare for More Than 100 Children in Warrior
Availability of high-quality, affordable childcare is a widespread issue in Central Alabama. The best options are typically operating at capacity, so new parents are left searching for answers.