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United Way of Southwest Alabama / Uncategorized  / Community Impact  / United Way and Our Partner Agencies Are Southwest Alabama’s Community Safety Net
CI Blog - Community Safety Net

United Way and Our Partner Agencies Are Southwest Alabama’s Community Safety Net

By Trista Stout-Walker, UWSWA Vice President of Community Impact

Society leads us to believe that we need the newest and best technology, cars, homes, clothing, etc. To many in Southwest Alabama this is not a reality. Individuals and families are living paycheck to paycheck, just to cover life’s basic needs. At times, this may not be a living wage. United Way of Southwest Alabama (UWSWA), our 46 partners, and community coalitions are here to help. We collectively align to form the community’s safety net. 

Through UWSWA’s four Building Blocks of Health, Education, Financial Stability, and Essentials our safety net is secure. UWSWA and our partners provide wraparound services to the community through information and resources offered by 2-1-1 Human and Support Services Hotline. 2-1-1 is the first stop for learning about and accessing service providers available in your community.  2-1-1 Call Specialists access a database at their fingertips and sort resources on need and location. This process provides individualized service coordination. Currently, the top needs are rental assistance, food assistance, utility assistance, and tax preparation services. These needs are met by UWSWA, our partners, and other community stakeholders.

As the community convener, UWSWA participates in several coalitions at the local, regional, state, and national level. UWSWA assembles our stakeholders to magnify needs, resources, and solutions.  These service opportunities expand the impact of the safety net and increase service provisions. Today and always, UWSWA ensures our community has access to life’s basic needs.

By Trista Stout-Walker, UWSWA Vice President of Community Impact