The United Way of Southwest Alabama, in partnership with Verizon, will host the second in a series of community-wide Disaster Resilience Workshops on Tuesday, July 29, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Bishop State Community College’s Downtown Campus.

This free, public event will provide residents with practical tips for protecting their families, homes, and finances before a disaster strikes. The workshop is part of the Disaster Response, Recovery, and Resilience Initiative made possible by a grant from Verizon to strengthen community preparedness in high-risk areas.

Featured speakers include:

• Olivier Charles, President, Bishop State Community College
• Commissioner Merceria Ludgood, Commissioner District 1, Mobile County Commission
• Erin Coker BSN, RN, Emergency Management & Patient Safety Officer, Springhill Medical Center
• Kelly DeVoe, Marketing Coordinator, Better Business Bureau of Central & South Alabama
• Mike Dillaber, Plans and Operations Manager, Mobile Emergency Management Agency
• Cole Lucky, IT and Communications Officer, Mobile County Emergency Management Agency
• Scouting America, Mobile Area Council

 Exhibitors include:

• United Way 211
• Alabama Power
• Governor’s Office of Volunteer Services
• Mobile County EMA
• Spire
• AARP

The next workshop in the series will take place on Tuesday, August 20, at the Bayou La Batre Community Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Registration is required. The first 75 individuals to register for each workshop will receive a free disaster kit and be entered to win valuable 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.