Did you know?

UWCA partners and programs fight hunger in many ways. In 2022:

• Community Crisis Fund: 3,165,900 pounds of food were provided to 291,493 clients.
• United Way Meals on Wheels: 356,667 meals were served to local seniors.
• United Way Area Agency on Aging (UWAAA): 123,354 meals were served through senior centers in Jefferson County.
• Senior Nutrition Program: 4,053 seniors were served.

United Way of Central Alabama clients acquired $983,266 in assets to help with a new home, business or college education though our financial stability programs in 2022.

When entire communities are devastated by tornadoes, the need for help is immediate. But the recovery process is massive and long-term.

Our partner agencies are first on the scene to assist with immediate needs while we organize volunteers, raise funds and support the long-term recovery process, in addition to helping connect individuals with a variety of resources through our 2-1-1 Information and Referral line.

United Way of Central Alabama works to align partners and resources to address disparities in our community. In 2022, UWCA:

• Invested $52.5 million with 100 partners, programs and initiatives in Central Alabama.
• Raised/allocated more than $3.8 million for the Community Crisis Fund to assist with immediate needs.
• Managed $35.9 million in current and projected payouts for HealthPlus and DentalPlus Alabama.

In January 2021, nine outstanding Chilton County organizations came under the UWCA umbrella.

• Butterfly Bridge
• Chilton County Emergency Assistance Center
• Chilton County Mental Health
• Easter Seals – West Central Alabama Rehabilitation
• Family Sunshine Center
• Kelsey’s Place
• Raleigh’s Place
• SPAN of Chilton County
• YMCA of Chilton County

United Way’s 2-1-1 Call Center is available 24/7 to assess the needs of distressed callers and refer them to agencies equipped to help.

In 2022:

Calls received: 29,946

Top call categories:

• Utility assistance: 29%
• Housing assistance: 28%
• Income support: 9%
• Food and Meals: 4%

UWCA partner agencies and community initiatives address a broad spectrum of crises, from mental health, domestic abuse and chemical dependency to personal loss, hunger and housing.

United Way Area Agency on Aging (UWAA) served more than 10,500 seniors in 2022, including:

• 130,143 nutritious meals provided through the Senior Nutrition Program.
• 21,071 hours of respite services provided to older relatives as caregivers through Alabama Cares.
• 2,727 Medicare counseling and assistance sessions provided to Medicare recipients and their families through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).

United Way of Central Alabama has received Charity Navigator’s top ranking for 20 consecutive years. UWCA is second in the nation to have earned the most consecutive 4-star ratings on Charity Navigator. Only a quarter of charities rated by Charity Navigator receive the distinction of a 4-star rating.

Each year, UWCA relies on over 500 volunteers to help make decisions about which community programs will be a good investment of United Way dollars raised during our campaign. These volunteers serve as Visiting Allocation Teams (VAT) members and they play a vital role in relationships with our 80+ partner agencies & programs, their clients, and the community.

Did you know by fifth grade, summer learning loss can cause some students to be up to three years behind others?  Through Bold Goals, United Way and SAIL’s Summer Learning Program, students like Brennan gained three months of reading proficiency and improved math skills in just six weeks. Hear Brennan’s story.

In 2022, UWCA’s Priority Veteran program served 558 veterans and their families who were experiencing homelessness or were at immediate risk of losing their home. After completing the program, 88% of veterans served by Priority Veteran were living in permanent or temporary housing.

More than 200 Bold Goals Coalition partners work together to solve complex problems. Some highlights include:

• Generated more than $8 million in resources for the community
• Launched the Tutoring Partnership Program within Birmingham City Schools in 2022, serving nearly 400 students in the Spring and Summer semesters
• Helped 26 childcare centers become First Class Pre-K sites, including 8 new classrooms awarded in 2022
• Increased FASFA completion efforts to include every public high school in our 6-county area

Did you know only 22% of 4-year-olds have access to high-quality, First Class Pre-K? United Way’s Success By 6 program impacts hundreds of children each year – helping ensure that they’re prepared to succeed upon entering school — by increasing access to quality early learning in 67 classrooms throughout Central Alabama.

In 2022, IRS-Certified volunteers prepared 1,054 tax returns at no charge for qualified individuals and families through United Way’s Free Tax Preparation service.