Did you know?

During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, United Way Meals on Wheels continues to deliver 7,5000+ meals weekly to homebound seniors and disabled individuals. In 2020, the program added 1,000 clients.

 

$1,514,900 in assets were acquired to help with a new home, business or college education though United Way’s financial stability programs in 2020.

When entire communities are devastated from 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. This year, 105 families have received assistance through Long-Term Recovery Fund.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, United Way of Central Alabama awarded more than $3m to 121 local nonprofits in Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair and Walker counties through the Community Crisis Fund.

The fund helped meet basic human needs and cover agencies’ internal expenses. From January to June of 2021, CCF grants have been used to provide:

• 285,039 pounds of food.
• 155,186 meals to the community.
• 10,865 clients with crisis-intervention supports (hotlines and crisis services).
• 1,099 clients with counseling services.
• 914 clients with teletherapy services.
• 1,924 clients with childcare needs.
• 376 clients with outpatient and/or residential supports for treatment of substance abuse/overdose.

In January 2021, ten 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
• Westend Neighborhood Youth
• 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.

Last year:

• United Way’s 2-1-1 Call Center received 54,317 calls since mid-March.
• 9,243 calls were received through United Way’s 1-800-AGE-LINE.
• 4,000 calls were answered by The Crisis Center in one month alone from individuals contemplating suicide.

18,250,000 meals were provided through partner agency food pantries throughout Central Alabama.

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Alabama Cares, a program from United Way Area Agency on Aging (UWAAA), provided a vulnerable client caring for a young nephew with a refrigerator, helping limit the need for the older person’s frequent trips to the grocery store. Read their story here.

UWAAA has served more than 5,500 individuals in 2021, including:

• 198, 255 nutritious meals provided through the Senior Nutrition Program
• 283 hours of respite services offered to older relatives as caregivers
• 913 Medicare recipients and their families received counseling and assistance through SHIP

United Way of Central Alabama has received Charity Navigator’s top ranking for 19 consecutive years. UWCA is second in the nation to have earned the most consecutive 4-star rating on Charity Navigator.

Did you know only a quarter of charities rated by Charity Navigator receive the distinction of a 4-star rating, according to the President & CEO of Charity Navigator, Michael Thatcher?

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.

The Priority Veteran program serves veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Did you know 81% of veterans served by Priority Veteran, who exited to permanent housing, are still housed one year later?

The COVID-19 pandemic further compromised these heroes, as social distancing protocols led to decrease capacity at shelters; and unemployment increased demand for other basic needs, such as food and healthcare.

To respond to this gap in services, the program provided aid to a total of 584 veterans in Alabama and Georgia in 2020 and served:

• 367 homeless veterans
• 216 veterans who received homeless prevention services
• 132 veterans with emergency hotel placements due to COVID-19
• 1,370 meals to veterans in emergency hotel placements due to COVID-19

Did you know United Way is the backbone organization of the Bold Goals Coalition, a network of collaborative partners and resources aligned to solve complex problems within our community? Since 2014, Bold Goals projects have generated over $6.3 million for the region, and not just for Birmingham–the coalition has helped generate over $1.6 million in Walker County alone!

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 by increasing access to quality early learning in 37 Pre-K classrooms throughout Central Alabama.

Did you know, through United Way’s Free Tax Prep service, 2,252 tax returns were prepared for free by IRS-Certified volunteer?