Resource Development

National Culinary Month

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

Pride Month Reflections

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.

The Economic Impact of VITA

By Justine Bixler, UWSWA Vice President of Resource Development

On an annual basis, United Way of Southwest Alabama funds over 100 programs operated by our 46 non-profit partner agencies. In addition to these programs, our staff facilitates 11 internal programs that also provide direct services to individuals throughout our local community. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) is one of these 11 programs. The VITA program offers free basic tax return preparation for qualified individuals. The program has operated for over 50 years, offering free tax help to:

• People who generally make $57,000 or less
• Persons with disabilities; and
• Limited English-speaking taxpayers
• Who need assistance when preparing their own returns.
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Servant Leadership Is As Critical to Your Success As It Is To Those You Serve

By Justine Bixler, UWSWA Vice President of Resource Development

“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.”  ― Mother Teresa

Service to others is a key tenet of every successful community. Whether this means making a financial contribution to a local non-profit like United Way of Southwest Alabama (UWSWA), volunteering to feed the hungry through The Salvation Army of Coastal Alabama, donating clothing to Catholic Social Services or serving as a community mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Alabama; this servant leadership is as critical to your success as it is to those you will serve. It enriches the lives of individuals across our community, builds better organizations, stronger businesses, and helps maintain a vibrant economy. Ultimately, it creates a more just and caring world for everyone – this is our safety net.

What does it mean to Live United?

By Justine Bixler, UWSWA Vice President of Resource Development

What does it mean to Live United? Often times, the reality is it is much more complex than the phrase. It means that you agree to live for something larger than yourself. It means that you stand for what is right and just. It means that you believe that everyone deserves the same opportunity to have an equitable seat at the table. And, when you are choosing to Live United, it means that you invest in bringing those realities to life. It takes all walks of life, their perspectives and experiences to make up our community. What defines this community is deeply rooted in the values of what make us proud to call Southwest Alabama home. Loving thy neighbor is a tenant that has been engrained in our children since birth. And those children have grown up to be adults who now have an even greater ability to impact our community – for the better – by changing lives and saving lives through their investment in Southwest Alabama. We have professional business leaders, community leaders, those who lead in critical areas of public service, commerce & industry, education, finance and the healthcare field. We have those who advocate for more jobs, those who advocate for the protection of our natural resources, and those who fight every day to ensure equitable access to health and human services. And all of those people have one thing in common – they choose to Live United.