For more than 30 years, local agencies, programs and projects in Walker County have been working to improve the communities they serve. United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) supports these organizations that provide services such as mental health treatment, educational programming and accessibility support. Recently, community partners gathered to kick off the county’s 2026 United Way Campaign and recognize nine local agencies, programs and projects that were awarded UWCA Community Project Grants. In collaboration with Walker County Advisory Board Chair Shawn Morgan, United Way brought together community leaders, partner agencies, volunteers and supporters to rally around this year’s campaign theme THE POWER OF US. UWCA President and CEO Drew Langloh recognized the combined efforts of community partners in providing more than 139,000 individual services to Walker County residents in 2025 alone.
“When our community partners come together to encircle these families who need help, we are able to provide the services they need in the places where they need them,” said Langloh.
Supporting Communities One Project at a Time
UWCA Community Project Grants are awarded each year to support short-term projects or one-time expenses that create a meaningful, positive impact for residents specifically in Walker County. These grants empower community organizations to expand their reach, increase their impact and help more families thrive.
The 2026 Community Project Grant winners:
- Arc of Walker County
- Better Basics, Inc.
- Chamber of Commerce of Walker County
- Concerned Citizens for Our Youth, Inc
- Friends of Downtown Jasper
- HARTT of Walker County
- Hope for Women, LLC
- Positive Maturity, Inc.
- Walker County Amateur Radio Emergency Service
A Partnership for Hope
Cindy Smith, Director of the Salvation Army of Walker County, spoke about the impact of United Way grants on their homelessness prevention program.
“One of the best things we can do is to try and prevent homelessness,” said Smith. “If we can stop it from happening, that’s huge.”
Smith also recognized the support of UWCA’s inCommunity program, which helps to bring essential resources directly onto school campuses, which makes them centrally located and easily accessible. When a student or family is struggling, Jasper City Schools representatives can contact UWCA Community School Coordinator Jonah Barrett, who connects them with agencies that can help, such as the Salvation Army.
In addition to the grant money itself, UWCA’s LEARN United program offers opportunities to connect with – and learn from and alongside — other nonprofits. Through LEARN United, free training sessions are offered on subjects including grant writing, financial management, crisis communications and more. A full list of topics can be found here.
Thanks to organizations such as the Salvation Army, volunteers, community partners and generous donors, United Way continues to improve lives, address community needs and expand resources across Walker County. To learn more about UWCA’s impact in Walker County, click here.