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.”
By Trista Stout-Walker, Vice President of Community Impact
Have you ever returned home from the grocery store and realized you forgot an important item or ingredient? It can be the most frustrating thing at times. Especially, when we spend time preparing for the trip, traveling to the store, shopping for goods, and returning home. For some in our catchment area that requires hours, substantial money, and resources. This is because they live in a “food desert”. According to Wikipedia, a food desert is an area that has limited access to affordable and nutritious food, in contrast with an area with higher access to supermarkets with fresh foods, which is called a food oasis.
MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) — Fox10 News kicked off a brand new project Wednesday, teaming up with the United Way of Southwest Alabama, PlayPower and ‘Make an Impact’ to build a brand new playground at Walsh Park.
Walsh Park, located at 1401 Windsor Ave in Mobile, has given children in the surrounding neighborhood a space to get outdoors and play but has been missing something — that something being a playground.
The playground that will be built will be more than just a place for play, it will also be great for families and neighbors to create memories together.
Scam Alert: Woman Fraudulently Using the United Way Name to Obtain Banking Information
This afternoon [Thursday, July 15, 2021], the United Way of Southwest Alabama (UWSWA) discovered that a woman allegedly named Linda Vaughn fraudulently uses the name United Way to contact individuals through Facebook Messenger with nonexistent grant funding. Vaughn allegedly asserts she is a Claims Agent for United Way Worldwide and can provide grants to individuals in our community. She then asks for the individual’s bank account information so that she can cover her fees to process the requests.
Resource Development Associate Delena Wylie came to United Way of Southwest Alabama (UWSWA) fresh out of high school. She was looking for a job with meaning and purpose, she said, and has been with UWSWA for 23 years.
By Justine Bixler, UWSWA Vice President of Resource Development
It is in times of need that we discover the full impact and influence of a community United. Whether it is in Mobile, in our neighboring communities or across the United States nurturing empathy and understanding is an integral part of our commitment to build strong and healthy communities.
United Way of Southwest Alabama’s Emerging Leaders is hosting our second Lunch and Learn of the year. This professional development workshop will consist of a panel of accomplished Mobilians, break-out rooms, and a Q&A session.
By LaToya Stevens is the Marketing and Communications Director at Heart of Missouri United Way
Juneteenth (June 19) is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Today, Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom, and emphasizes education and achievement.
It’s celebrated across America with block parties, cookouts and educational events. You may not know the history of Juneteenth because until today, it has not been recognized as a federal holiday. If it’s not part of your culture, this may be your first time hearing about Juneteenth.
By Dr. Juliette Tuakli, Founder and Medical Director of CHILDAccra
Good start, right direction, but more to do.
That’s how United Way leaders see the job ahead when it comes to recovery and rebuilding in the wake of COVID-19.
While the world’s largest privately-funded nonprofit raised an unprecedented amount of money last year for COVID-19 relief, the pandemic’s multiple waves around the world remind us that our work is far from over.
By Trista Stout-Walker, Vice President of Community Impact
I recently had the pleasure of traveling with my family out West for a wedding. Growing up, I would shudder to admit that I was from Alabama, especially rural Alabama. My fear would focus on how I was perceived or society’s perception of how we talk or live. My recent travels showed me that Alabamians are very proud. We wear our RTR hats or War Eagle t-shirts proudly. All you have to do is say “Roll Tide” in a crowd and immediately find a new friend. We visited three different states and I encountered numerous residents of Alabama. In Gardiner, Montana, the Iron Horse Bar & Grill is owned and operated from a native of Tuscaloosa. It was decked out with Alabama memorabilia and even had a license plate from Washington County.