As our community moves into the next phase of the pandemic, so does the United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) in its efforts to support the immediate needs of local non-profits.
The Community Crisis Fund (CCF) has awarded more than $3 million to 120 organizations in Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair and Walker counties. These grants provide non-profits additional resources to care for those most affected by the pandemic and assist in covering operating expenses. This includes:
- Staff time, salary and benefits.
- Direct costs related to the execution of programs meeting immediate needs.
- Purchased services.
- Limited indirect costs.
In Phase I alone, grants from the CCF went toward helping local organizations serve an additional 33,000 individuals. With applications now open for Phase IV, more of our neighbors will receive access to vital services, including mental health support, education assistance and aid with basic needs such as food and rent.
“This is important because it can mean the difference between one of our neighbors being food-insecure or having enough to eat. It can mean the difference between someone receiving low or typically no-cost mental health services during a national crisis or suffering with untreated anxiety and depression.”
VP OF ALLOCATIONS AND GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT AT UWCA Kadie Peters
Funds helped foster a supportive environment at places like the A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club, so they could engage children in a virtual learning environment and provide meals to members. The grants make technology available to mental health agencies such as the Crisis Center to ensure those experiencing an emergency have ready access to their options for coping.
As unexpected as the past 18 months have been, the one thing we can predict is the services offered by local agencies will always be needed. The funding lends a huge hand in upholding their missions to care for the vulnerable in our community.
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.
Curious if your local non-profit qualifies for funding? Learn more on the website about eligibility. Applications will be accepted now until October 1, 2021, through UWCA’s online grant system.