United Way of Southwest Alabama is proud to partner with Verizon to launch a groundbreaking Disaster Resilience Initiative aimed at helping Mobile County residents better prepare for emergencies. The initiative is part of a national investment in disaster preparedness across 14 U.S. cities, made possible through a collaboration between Verizon, United Way Worldwide, and Habitat for Humanity.

The program comes at a critical time, as Mobile was designated a Community Disaster Resilience Zone (CDRZ) by FEMA in 2023, highlighting the area’s vulnerability to hurricanes, flooding, and severe storms. These natural disasters disproportionately affect low-income and ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households, which often lack the resources needed to recover.

The first Disaster Resilience Workshop will take place on Tuesday, June 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Citronelle Community Center (18260 Municipal Park Drive, Citronelle, AL). The free, public event will offer practical tips for protecting your household and finances before a disaster strikes.

Featured speakers include:

• Patsy Hughes, Consumer Outreach and Education Coordinator, Alabama Department of Insurance
• Travis Taylor, Director of Risk and Resilience, Alabama Department of Insurance
• Beth Thomas, External Affairs Manager, Alabama Power
• Mike Dillaber, Plans and Operations Manager, Mobile Emergency Management Agency
• Cole Lucky, IT and Communications Officer, Mobile County Emergency Management Agency
• Mayor Jason Stringer, City of Citronelle

 Exhibitors include:

• United Way 211
• Alabama Power
• Governor’s Office of Volunteer Services
• Mobile County EMA
• Spire
• Alabama Department of Insurance (ALDOI)
• AARP
• South Alabama Utilities

Additional workshops will follow on July 29 at Bishop State Community College and August 20 at the Bayou La Batre Community Center.

 Registration is required. The first 75 individuals to register for each workshop will receive a free disaster kit and be entered to win door prizes, including a generator.

To register, visit: https://UWDisasterWorkshop.eventbrite.com

The Disaster Resilience Initiative will serve communities across Mobile County, including Axis, Bayou La Batre, Bucks, Chickasaw, Chunchula, Citronelle, Coden, Creola, Dauphin Island, Eight Mile, Grand Bay, Irvington, Magazine, Mobile, Mount Vernon, Prichard, St. Elmo, Saraland, Satsuma, Semmes, Theodore, Whistler, and Wilmer.

By investing in preparedness, Verizon and the United Way of Southwest Alabama aim to shorten recovery timelines, support long-term resilience, and save lives.