United Way and AKA Collaborate to Prepare Fairfield Students for the New School Year

Tracey Morant Adams, Ph.D., Chair of UWCA’s Community Impact Committee and the Southeastern Regional Director for AKA, interacts with two boys at a recent back-to-school event in Fairfield.

In partnership with United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA), the Upsilon Eta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, Inc. recently hosted a Back-to-School Bash on a Saturday at the Fairfield Community Center.

At the event, UWCA staff and AKA volunteers gave out more than 100 backpacks full of school supplies, as well as numerous additional items, all donated by AKA members and corporate partners. Additionally, barbers from Bygtyme Cuts and Faded were giving haircuts on-site, while Etheridge-Next Generation and Angel the Barber donated certificates.

Representatives of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham and the local chapter of the American Red Cross (both of which are UWCA partner agencies) were also on-site, giving out information and free smoke detectors, respectively.

Children and their families enjoyed the carnival-like atmosphere, complete with popcorn, cotton candy, drinks, hamburgers, hot dogs and a bounce house. Kids also competed for prizes in a variety of games testing their physical and mental skills.

Tracey Morant Adams, PhD, who is the Chair of UWCA’s Community Impact Committee and the Southeastern Regional Director for AKA, was among the many who showed out in the sorority’s signature pink and green at the event. She said hosting events such as the Back-to-School Bash is “crucial for preparing students.”

“By fostering this sense of community, we help bridge gaps and ensure that every family has the support they need,” Adams said. “That is what United Way has always done and will continue to do as a dedicated community partner, and I am thrilled to see Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated — through the Upsilon Eta Omega Chapter — add to this collective goodwill.”

Bianca Moore, President of the Upsilon Eta Omega Chapter of AKA, said events like these are “the essence of AKA.”

“As we embark on the 2024-2025 school year, we are honored to provide essential resources, school supplies, food, games and services, including complimentary haircuts, to ensure that every student enters the classroom equipped for success. It is through such initiatives that we uphold our enduring legacy of service to all mankind.”

Throughout the month of July and into August, UWCA also led a community-wide back-to-school supply drive for students of Fairfield City Schools. Hundreds of backpacks were filled and delivered to school district students. For more information about United Way’s work to support Early Childhood Development and Education, visit https://www.uwca.org/impact/early-childhood.

United Way and AKA Collaborate to Prepare Fairfield Students for the New School Year

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2024-08-19

Langloh Recognized as a Power 60 Influencer for 2024

Drew Langloh is instrumental in shaping the future of Birmingham and making a significant impact on the area’s economy. And the Birmingham Business Journal (BBJ) agrees. The publication recently recognized Langloh, President and CEO of United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA), as a “2024 Power 60 Influencer.”

Langloh’s inclusion among the Power 60 is testament to his unwavering commitment to serving the underserved and his remarkable leadership at UWCA.

With a degree in social work from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and an MBA from Samford University, Langloh embarked on his journey with United Way in 1988. Since then, he has played pivotal roles at several organizations, including Vice President of Resource Development at UWCA, Senior Vice President of Resource Development and Marketing at United Way of Central Maryland and President and Chief Professional Officer at United Way of Delaware.

Since returning to Birmingham in 2008, Langloh has led UWCA (Birmingham’s largest nonprofit) with a visionary approach aimed at addressing complex social issues through collaborative efforts. Under his leadership, the organization generates approximately $40 million each year for community support and secures even more in grant funding for vital programs and services.

Additionally, in March of this year, Langloh played a crucial role in helping UWCA win its largest single grant ever, totaling $4.2 million. This funding supports initiatives that combat veteran homelessness throughout Central Alabama and beyond.

Langloh’s belief in the power of collaboration – bringing nonprofits, businesses and community groups together for a common purpose — underscores his dedication to creating lasting, positive change. His inclusion on the Power 60 list is well-deserved recognition of his tireless work and leadership in helping United Way make a tangible difference in people’s lives and create a stronger, more vibrant community for us all.

The post appeared first on United Way of Central Alabama.

2024-08-13

United Way Opens Funding Opportunities for Nonprofits in Shelby County

Cynthia Todd and Kevin Morris chair the Shelby County Community Project Grant Advisory Board, with Kevin Morris at the center. The board also comprises esteemed members such as Daphne Dansby, Libby Holmes, Tiffany Bunt, Dessilyn Chappell, Bianca Hill, Mindy Dent, Jackie Batson, Martina Winston, Michael Jones, and Daniel Holmes.

United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the Community Project Grant program in Shelby County. These grants represent transformative funding opportunities for local nonprofit organizations and come on the heels of the program’s rollout in Chilton, St. Clair and Walker counties. Similar opportunities are scheduled for Blount County in 2025.

These grants are designed to support short-term projects and one-time expenses incurred by public entities, registered nonprofits and community groups with the opportunity to advance their missions and create a tangible impact within the immediate area. The funding, up to $2,500 per organization, extends United Way’s ability to make a difference in people’s lives throughout Central Alabama.

Eligibility is limited to entities based in Shelby County that provide services within the county, ensuring that funds directly support local initiatives. The UWCA County Advisory Board, responsible for award decisions, is enthusiastic about the potential for these grants to foster positive change in Shelby County.

“I am honored to co-chair the UWCA Shelby County Advisory Board along with Kevin Morris,” said Cynthia Todd. “UWCA never ceases to amaze me in caring about our communities and providing new opportunities for much needed funding for those in need.  These one-time grants will certainly help address some of the critical community needs in Shelby County, and I am excited to be a part of this process.”

This funding opportunity represents a significant step in empowering local entities to realize their projects and enhance the well-being of Shelby County residents, underscoring a collaborative effort to build a stronger, more vibrant community.

For more information and to access the application materials, visit https://www.uwca.org/for-nonprofits/grants/

The post appeared first on United Way of Central Alabama.

2024-08-28

United Way and Jasper Collaborate to Complete the Third of Six Community Parks in Central Alabama

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In the shade of a newly constructed pavilion, Jasper Mayor David O’Mary looked out over what was once a bare patch of land. That’s now been replaced with fresh mulch and gravel, picnic tables, new swings and a renewed and restriped soccer field.

The new Jasper Centennial Park is the result of a partnership between United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) and the Jasper community.

“United Way of Central Alabama, thank you for visiting this community. Thank you for making the investment,” O’Mary said. “My commitment, as mayor of this city, is to support usage of the facility and make sure we maintain it in a way that we can all be proud of.”

O’Mary was one of many civic and political leaders present, alongside UWCA staff, at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Walker County Centennial Park last week.

Jasper Mayor David O’Mary

The Walker County project is the third of six planned parks — one in each of the six counties served by UWCA — set to be renewed or built from scratch to celebrate United Way’s 100 years of service to, and partnership with, communities throughout Central Alabama.

Since May, when work on the park began, more than 200 volunteers pitched in to make the park a reality. That volunteer labor came in many different forms. Drew Langloh, President and CEO of UWCA described the wide variety of people who helped: “We had volunteers of all skill levels,” he said. “We had volunteers who are really good with a rake and a shovel and a wheelbarrow, but we also had folks put up these swing sets and all the playground equipment. O’Neal Steel donated all the metal tubing.”

Additionally, Langloh said, apprentices from two different unions‑‑International Union of Operating Engineers Local 312, the Union IronWorkers Local 92 and United Mine Workers Association District 20—helped put everything together at the park. Drummond Company also helped with finishing touches.

Taking ownership of the project was critical, Langloh said, pointing to the volunteers as well as sponsors of the project, which include the Walker County Chamber of Commerce, Heidelberg Materials, Walker County Recycling and Yorozu Automotive Alabama.

“The whole concept behind this is that it’s a community effort,” Langloh said. “I want to thank hundreds of volunteers who came out and helped put this together and all the sponsors.”

John Martin, Senior Vice President of Resource Development at UWCA, said the park is a “physical manifestation of work that this community does through United Way every single day.”

“We’ll continue to use this park,” Martin said, “and we’ll continue to support the people in our community that rely so heavily, not just on the physical things that we provide, but on the mental healthcare, the interventions for young children and providing for those who are hungry in our community.”

This is the most recent completion of a UWCA Centennial Park. Other parks up and running are in Jefferson and Shelby counties, and work is set to begin in St. Clair County later this year.

Parks not only bring communities together but encourage and enable healthy recreation through playing sports, doing physical activity and spending quality time outdoors. For more information about how United Way supports Community Health and Well-Being across Central Alabama, visit https://www.uwca.org/impact/community-health.