United Way of Central Alabama is
committed to promoting
a healthier community.
Across our six counties, however, life expectancy is only 73.6 years — down four years from the national average of 77.6. But it’s not surprising when 47% of people in our service area lack access to opportunities for physical activity and more than one out of every 10 people struggles to have enough food.
Through initiatives that improve access to nutritious food, encourage physical activity, enhance the quality of healthcare services and provide support for maternal and mental health, we’re creating an environment that’s more conducive to healthy living.
Our Community Health & Well-Being Impacts
352,888
clients received health, medical or nutrition-related services
57,821
clients participated in physical activity and/or healthy nutrition programs
15,702
Clients with disabilities provided with services designed to improve quality of life
177,647
Clients received physical/mental health services (including substance abuse)
72,651
preventive mental or physical health screenings
2,852
Uninsured clients provided with medical services
Community Health & Well-Being Solutions
Educational Support and Early Learning
Tutoring and other educational resources for children to promote learning and skill development
Financial and Emergency Assistance
Providing emergency financial aid for a wide variety of basic needs, including rent, mortgage, utilities, medical copays and childcare
Health Education and Public Health Awareness
Providing nutrition education, as well as exercise plans and programs, to promote healthy lifestyles in our region
Life Skills and Job Readiness Training
Training programs to enhance life skills and prepare young people for the workforce and upskill underemployed adults
Meals and Nutritional Support
Ensuring access to nutritious food through free grocery distribution and in-person meals through youth programs and various community centers
Medical Resources and Assessments
Dental services, medical care for people with disabilities and health screenings, as well as financial assistance with different medical needs
Mental Health Counseling and Support Groups
Professional mental health counseling services for children and adults, support groups for people in a variety of unique mental health situations
Permanent Housing and Shelter Services
Emergency shelter, affordable housing, guidance and financial aid to individuals and families to attain or stay in permanent housing
Transportation Services
Transportation for children and adults to get to school, make doctor’s appointments, get groceries and attend community events, among other needs
Community Health & Well-Being Partners & Programs
AIDS Alabama
provides statewide HIV/AIDS advocacy, prevention, housing, and services for persons living with HIV
Alabama Head Injury Foundation
provides resources and support for individuals with brain and spinal cord injuries and their families.
Alabama Kidney Foundation
provides financial assistance, education, recreational opportunities, and support programs to Alabama’s kidney patients.
Aletheia House
provides drug abuse prevention programs, treatment, and affordable housing.
American Cancer Society
researches, educates, provides patient services and advocates to help eliminate cancer.
American Heart Association
builds healthier lives free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
American Red Cross – Mid Alabama Region
assists victims of disaster and provides military emergency communications, and health and safety education.
Arc of Central Alabama
serves adults, infants, and toddlers with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Arc of Shelby County
services individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through intervention, advocacy, information and referral, supported employmen…
Arc of Walker County
provides services for persons with cognitive, intellectual, and developmental disabilities and provides support to family and friends.
Cahaba Valley Health Care
provides health care for Spanish-speaking people in Jefferson and Shelby counties.
Catholic Family Services
provides family, marriage, and individual counseling; pre-adoptive foster care for infants and young children; counseling for crisis pregnancies an…
Central Alabama Wellness
provides an array of services for individuals dealing with mental illness and/or substance use disorders in Chilton and Shelby Counties.
Children’s Aid Society of Alabama
provides family counseling, crisis intervention, adoption support services, foster care and transitional living services for homeless young parents…
Children’s of Alabama
provides the finest pediatric health services to Alabama’s youth in an environment that fosters excellence in research and education.
Collat Jewish Family Services
provides care management, transportation, in-home personal care, respite care, caregiver support and more – all aimed at helping seniors continue …
Disability Rights and Resources
empowers people with all disabilities to fully participate in the community, achieve independence, and advocate for equal access.
Glenwood
provides services for children, adolescents, adults and families who are affected by autism or a mental health disorder.
Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama
improves the lives of Latinos in Alabama through coordination with existing community resources, providing transitional services and education.
Impact Family Counseling
provides professional counseling services for at-risk youth and troubled families. Services include intervention programs with Court, DHR and the s…
Lakeside Hospice
provides physical, emotional and spiritual support to terminally ill patients and families while they remain in the comfort of their homes.
Legacy YMCA
provides programs and activities designed to develop the spirit, mind and body of children, teens, adults, and senior adults in west Jefferson County.
Legal Aid Society of Birmingham
provides legal services to low-income children and adults (court-appointed only).
Levite Jewish Community Center
provides early childhood education programs, camping services, senior adult meals, activities, and wellness programs.
The Literacy Council
provides literacy information and referral hotline for children, adult and ESOL learners and volunteer tutors; organizes community and workplace in…
Oasis Counseling for Women and Children
provides affordable mental health counseling to women individually, their families, couples, play therapy and group therapy in a respectful and nur…
Raleigh’s Place
provides and support foster homes, train foster parents and equip foster youth for life after care.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama
serves as a home away from home for sick or injured children and the families who traveled to Birmingham for pediatric medical services not availab…
Sickle Cell Disease Assoc. of America, Central Alabama Chapter
provides education and testing services to the general public and counseling and extensive support services to individuals and families affected by…
SPAN (Special Programming for Achievement Network)
provides education, counseling and positive influences for youth in need.
Travelers Aid Society of Birmingham, Alabama
provides information and referral, counseling and financial aid services for displaced individuals and families coming into or leaving the communit…
United Ability
connects people with disabilities to their communities and empowers individuals to live full and meaningful lives by providing innovative education…
Workshops Empowerment
offers work adjustment, vocational training and job placement to adults with disabilities.
YMCA of Chilton County
summer camp, afterschool care, child watch programs, sports programs, as well as youth, adult and senior memberships.
YMCA of Greater Birmingham
offers day care, summer day camps, after school care, literacy programs, and youth, adult and senior activities.
Latest News About Community Health & Well-Being
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UWCA Grants Will Help Community Projects Flourish in Chilton, St. Clair and Walker Counties
Laura Wilson, a fifth-grade science teacher in Pell City, has nurtured her children alongside the Pell City Gateway Community Garden, supported by United Way of Central Alabama’s Community Project Grants.
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Just Peachy: Connecting with the Community at Chilton County’s Peach Jam
United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) proudly participated in the 2024 Peach Jam Jubilee at Clanton City Park, celebrating Chilton County’s peach crop and supporting local farmers.
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A Proud Moment as Ground Is Broken on Walker County Centennial Park
Willie Moore III, representing the Jasper City Council, attended the groundbreaking for Walker County Centennial Park, a United Way of Central Alabama initiative celebrating their 100th anniversary.
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United Way Event Helps Seniors Fight Fraud and Stay a Step Ahead of Scammers
FBI Agent Matt Tootle spoke to more than 150 local seniors at the 2024 Fraud Summit in Hoover, hosted by UWCA’s Area Agency on Aging during Older Americans Month.
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Young Philanthropists Learn How United Way Is Creating Villages of Vital Services
Lucinda Armstrong and Emily Herring shed light on the critical role of schools in supporting youth mental health during a recent panel for United Way’s Young Philanthropists Society. They emphasized the need for expanded mental health services in schools to address challenges exacerbated by events like the COVID-19 pandemic.