United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) kicked off its 2024 Annual Campaign with an ambitious goal: to raise $37.5 million. The campaign’s kickoff event, held on September 5th at The Club, brought together community members and partner agencies under the inspiring theme “Be Somebody.”
The campaign aims to further enable United Way’s work toward ensuring that every child in Central Alabama has access to education, every person has enough to eat and every family can receive mental health support. Addressing these critical needs often depends on the dedication of all those “Somebodies” among us who step up to make a difference, and your support of United Way is vital to meeting these challenges.
A moving highlight of the kickoff was a speech by Jodi Moates, Operations Manager at Easterseals of the Birmingham Area, a valued partner agency of UWCA. With a century-long legacy, Easterseals is committed to transforming the lives of individuals with disabilities and special needs, operating more than 450 service sites nationwide. In Birmingham, Easterseals continues this mission with innovative, family-focused solutions.
Jodi epitomizes the Be Somebody theme through her unwavering commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities. Her passion was ignited early in life by growing up with an older brother who has Down syndrome. Witnessing her family celebrate his achievements, and seeing her mother and father actively involved in the Parent Advocates for Down Syndrome Group, profoundly nurtured her dedication. “This was my life. This was my passion already at a very young age,” Jodi said.
After a decade in the medical field, Jodi encountered personal challenges when her daughter McKinley was born prematurely and needed an extended stay in neonatal intensive care. Weighing just three pounds and one ounce at birth, McKinley was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
Despite these difficulties, Jodi and her family approached the diagnosis with resilience, taking proactive steps such as utilizing outpatient therapies and supportive organizations. Jodi also chose to become a stay-at-home mom to provide the care and support McKinley needed.
“We’ve had our challenges. It has not been an easy road, but it’s been the best one. We get to watch her accomplishments; we get to celebrate along with her,” Jodi said. “I teach her every day to be ‘Somebody’. I want her to make a difference. Her disability doesn’t define her.”
When McKinley was in the fourth grade, Jodi felt ready to return to work. With her background in the medical field and experience with people who have special needs, she saw Easterseals as a perfect fit for her. There, she quickly found a meaningful connection with the executive director, who, like her, has a child with cerebral palsy.
“I get to go to work every day and witness differences [we make] in the lives of those with disabilities. I get to be a part of bigger organizations like United Way, where we get to partner with them and see the impact made every single day,” said Jodi.
McKinley is now 12 years old and is thriving. “United Way is crucial for so many lives, including those of people with disabilities and their families,” Jodi said. “Whether you volunteer or donate, United Way can use our support because they back small organizations like Easterseals that have made a significant difference in my child’s life, my brother’s life and our family’s journey.”
Through her unwavering dedication and personal experience, Jodi Moates exemplifies what it means to “Be Somebody” who makes a meaningful difference in the community.
To learn more about UWCA’s impact on community health and well-being, visit www.uwca.org/community-health.