Youth Support & After School Programs

United Way of Central Alabama believes

Young people need the support of their community, both on and off school property

But statewide, about a quarter of children aged six to 17 do not participate in organized extracurricular activities, and 27.5% of high school students have reported that their mental health was not good either most or all of the time.

United Way offers youth support through its many after-school and mentoring programs for youth in Central Alabama that improve academic performance and coping skills and help prepare them for college, careers and life.




Youth Support Impact

57,043

Youth

participated in academic/career support programs in 2023

42,698

K-12 Youth

participated in before/after-school programs in 2023

9,936

K-12 Youth

participated in career-development programs in 2023


Youth Support Solutions

Educational Support

Providing tutoring and academic help in subjects such as math, reading and writing to enhance youth learning and achievement.

After-School Programs

Engaging activities offered after school that explore arts, sports and educational activities to support development and social interaction.

Summer Day Camp Programs

Day camps providing educational and recreational activities during summer breaks.

Life Skills Development

Programs focused on teaching essential life skills to young people.

Youth Empowerment Initiatives

Programs designed to boost confidence and leadership skills in youth.

Mentorship Programs

Connecting young individuals with caring mentors who offer guidance, encouragement and positive role modeling to guide and support personal growth.

Behavioral Health and Counseling Services

Offering mental health and behavioral support tailored for young individuals to address emotional well-being.

STEM Programs

Providing hands-on science, technology, engineering and math enrichment activities outside of school hours.

Career Coaching

Workshops on resume building, interview skills and job-search strategies to help young people prepare for the future.


More Ways UWCA Supports Youth

A young girl with black hair and brown eyes sits on a table in a pediatrician's office and smiles at a woman wearing a white coat standing in front of her.

Youth Health & Wellness

Supporting the social-emotional and physical health of our youth is a top priority of United Way. We provide health screenings, improve access to n…

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Early Childhood Education & Development

United Way of Central Alabama works to address disparity and improve outcomes for children by increasing the capacity of childcare centers, improvi…

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YOUTH SUPPORT & AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS Partners & Programs

A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club

Helps at-risk youth through educational, recreational and leadership activities.

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Better Basics

Combats educational disparities across Central Alabama with reading and math literacy programs and book distribution projects.

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Bold Goals/Birmingham City Schools Tutoring Program

Links local college student tutors with small groups of Birmingham City Schools students for intensive tutoring to offset learning loss.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham

Provides positive role models to children in need.

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Birmingham Jewish Federation

Serves the Jewish community in any way possible.

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Boy Scouts of America – Black Warrior Council

Provides citizenship training, character development and personal fitness to participating youth.

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Boy Scouts of America – Greater Alabama Council

Provides citizenship training, character development, and personal fitness to participating youth.

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Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama

Provides a safe place to learn and grow through life-enhancing programs and character development.

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BridgeWays

Provides opportunities for youth to realize their potential and to function effectively as caring, self-directed individuals.

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Central Alabama Children’s Fund

Supports students by providing essential items such as eyeglasses, school uniforms, educational supplies and by covering dental and medical expenses.

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Developing Alabama Youth Foundation

An alternative academic program, including counseling, for at-risk adolescents in Shelby County, preparing them to re-enter public schools.

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Girl Scouts of North Central Alabama

Builds girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.

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Girls Incorporated of Central Alabama

Provides after-school, holiday and summer activities in its centers and through outreach programs to develop girls who are strong, smart and bold.

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Legacy YMCA

Provides programs and activities designed to develop the spirit, mind and body of children, teens, adults and seniors in west Jefferson County.

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SPAN (Special Programming for Achievement Network)

Provides education, counseling and positive influences for youth in need.

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St. Clair County Day Program

offers a day treatment program with an academic component for at-risk adolescents as an alternative to incarceration.

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United Community Centers (Riley Center)

serves western-area senior citizens, day care, health screening, crime prevention, and food distribution.

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YMCA of Chilton County

offers summer camp, afterschool care, child watch programs, sports programs, as well as youth, adult and senior memberships.

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YMCA of Greater Birmingham

offers day care, summer day camps, after school care, literacy programs, and youth, adult and senior activities.

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