The year 2020 was one of the most challenging in United Way of Central Alabama’s history. The COVID19 pandemic unleashed not only a public health crisis but it resulted in economic hardships on those who could least afford it. It also created widespread emotional distress, family separation and isolation, and more.
At its Annual outgoing board president Mallie Ireland said United Way was built for times like this. She said its agencies and partnerships through its Community Crisis Fund led them to deliver exceptional services to Central Alabama’s most vulnerable residents. “We responded to not only new but unprecedented needs brought on by the pandemic.
“United Way transformed itself to respond to those needs. We will be here in 2021 to provide food and emergency assistance and support its nonprofit partners to create ways to use our resources to help them get back on track,” said Langloh.
We know who to help how to help and what to do we will meet the challenge and see a better community on the other side:
Featured accomplishments in 2020 included:
- Supporting our partners to feed the hungry
- Decreasing the mental health stress with new funding partners agencies such as Brother Let’s Talk and answering calls through the Crisis Center and 211 Information AND Referral Call Center
- Helping children adapt to virtual learning.
- Housing more homeless veterans
- Raising over $36 million for its agencies in Jefferson, Shelby, Walker, St. Clair, Blount, and Chilton Counties
Also, at the meeting the following community leaders were elected to the board of directors:
- Jay Brandrup, Founder and Principal, Kinetic Communications
- Myla Calhoun, Vice President, Birmingham Division, Alabama Power Company
- Paula Drake, EVP and Chief Communications Officer, Regions Bank
- Yolanda Fox, Chilton County Community Volunteer
- Raymond Harbert, Jr., SVP of Finance and Administration, Harbert Management Corporation
- Mark Sullivan, Superintendent, Birmingham City Schools
- Bo Taylor, Vice President of the Central Region, Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc.
- Kevin Ward, Senior Vice President, People, Shipt
For more ways of how United Way of Central Alabama helped Central Alabama through a challenging year , see UWCA’s 2020 Annual Report www.uwca.org/annualreport2020/ and watch a recording of the Annual Meeting https://vimeo.com/511660382
About the United Way of Central Alabama: Since 1923, UWCA has proudly supported a network of health and human service organizations that meet the needs in our communities. Serving Jefferson, Shelby, Walker, Blount, St. Clair and Chilton counties, the organization improves lives and community conditions by building and mobilizing resources through 80 partner agencies and community initiatives. United Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community.