(Mobile, AL) – Hurricane Ida has ravaged areas along the Gulf Coast and into mainland Louisiana. More than 1 million people in Louisiana and over 40,000 people in Mississippi currently have no power, and the storm will continue slowly heading northeast and will churn tornados and cause flooding in its wake.
On Wednesday, September 1, 2021, United Way of Southwest Alabama (UWSWA) will feature its partner agencies, internal programs, award winners, sponsors, and pacesetters. During all of the FOX 10 newscasts, including Studio 10, there will be guests appearing to talk about all things UWSWA. In addition to the television broadcast, Fox 10 and UWSWA will each host live streamed segments on Facebook.
This year, iHeart Radio local stations will feature UWSWA on its 5 local radio stations and digital platforms.
MOBILE, Alabama – Last week, Southeastern retail chain Shoe Station pledged to give over $20,000 to United Way of Southwest Alabama (UWSWA) in 2021. More than 200 members of Shoe Station’s team collectively pledged approximately $11,000, and Shoe Station’s president, Brent Barkin, and his wife, Lauren, personally matched the staff’s donation.
By Justine Bixler, UWSWA Vice President of Resource Development
“All you have shall someday be given; therefore, give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors.” – Kahlil Gibran
Since our inception, United Way of Southwest Alabama’s (UWSWA) annual campaign has been called the “Community Campaign.” This is because contributions are given to community members by community members. Each year, individuals and businesses from diverse backgrounds and sectors step up in support of Living United. They do so by contributing personally, running a workplace giving campaign at their companies, making a corporate contributions or matching gift towards their employees’ support, sponsoring a UWSWA event or hosting their own event and donating the proceeds, or offering in-kind services or products that advance our mission or provide goods for someone in need.
By Trista Stout-Walker, Vice President of Community Impact
Your donations directly affect United Way of Southwest Alabama’s (UWSWA) investment in Southwest Alabama. UWSWA takes the generous supports from community members, businesses, and local foundations and converts funding into service opportunities. Opportunities like supporting a women experiencing homelessness a safe space at a local motel and food delivery until shelter is available at McKemie Place. Opportunities like a family having a location close to home that offers the Summer Feeding Program. Opportunities like mental health counseling available during school hours to assist children dealing with stress, anxiety, or trauma. Opportunities like 2,949 tax returns completed by the SAFE Coalition at no charge to the tax client. The list for opportunities provided by UWSWA and our partners can go on and on.
Financial Assistant Sara Knox has been with United Way of Southwest Alabama for two years. “The opportunity arose and I was eager to take it,” she said. “I’ve always admired what United Way does, so I was excited to join the amazing team here.”
On August 5, United Way of Southwest Alabama (UWSWA) will kick-off the Project Blueprint (PBP) Class of 2021. PBP is an initiative of UWSWA designed to assist partner agencies and other nonprofit organizations become more inclusive and reflective of our diverse community. Upon completion of a series of informative classes, PBP graduates are trained and available for placement on local nonprofit boards and committees.
The United Way of Southwest Alabama (UWSWA) welcomed Kora Myers as a Spring 2021 intern. Kora attends the University of South Alabama, majoring in Communication with a concentration in Strategic Communication and minoring in Sports Marketing. She grew up in Vineland, Alabama which is in Marengo County.
Kora chose to become an intern at UWSWA because it gives her an opportunity to see what it is like to design for a nonprofit agency. Working with UWSWA also gives her a creative outlet while also giving her professional and design skills for the future.
By Justine Bixler, UWSWA Vice President of Resource Development
“We quickly learned that food is a powerful tool to heal communities in times of crisis and beyond.” –Chef Jose Andres
Office Manager Erica Berger joined United Way of Southwest Alabama when she was hired as temporary help during the holidays. She enjoyed the work so much that she wanted to stay. “An opportunity came up and they called and asked if I was interested and I was,” she said. “I’ve been here for 3 years.”