Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher
Food pantries, free closets + more initiatives for Birmingham areas in need
Reading time: 4 minutes
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Birmingham is a magical city—hence our famous nickname—and I like to believe that it’s widely due to the wonderful people that live here.
Some communities face more needs than others, whether it’s food insecurity, school resources or job availability, and when others are struggling, Central Alabama lends a helping hand. One local organization launched inCommunity as a place-based initiative for communities in Fairfield, Jasper and soon, Birmingham!
We talked to one of its leaders to learn a little more. Keep reading to see how inCommunity is helping Greater Birmingham neighborhoods, and how you can help, too.
How does inCommunity help Greater Birmingham neighborhoods?
Educational programming implemented in Fairfield City Schools, thanks to inCommunity. (United Way of Central Alabama)
United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA)’s program inCommunity was founded to bring easy-to-access resources to individuals and families right on the campuses of neighborhood schools.
Communities are selected based on data, readiness and resident input, and UWCA works with schools and neighborhoods that want a deeper partnership.
“With our inCommunity work, we hyper-focus on specific communities identified through our data-centric decision-making, community readiness and the community itself. We want to be very responsive to whether or not a community wants that additional support, and thankfully, we have been warmly welcomed.”
Chivon Morse, Director of Place-Based Partnerships, United Way of Central Alabama
The heart of UWCA’s mission is to build stronger communities. And thanks to the development and growth of inCommunity, they can do this through programs and partnerships such as:
- The Big Brothers Big Sisters program “Beyond School Walls”
- Conflict mitigation for youth in partnership with Jefferson County Family Resource Center
- School-based food pantries in partnership with the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama
“We’re always concentrated on the core things like health and financial stability, but every community varies in what they need, and we just try to be responsive.
We take a background role in this work because we really want our communities to shine.”
Chivon Morse, Director of Place-Based Partnerships, United Way of Central Alabama
inCommunity’s first partner: The City of Fairfield
Once a community partnership is established, UWCA works with partners to implement strategies and give resources back to these communities.
Resources like:
- Reading + math intervention for children struggling with the basics
- Education + mentoring for students as they become young adults
- New curriculum for students entering the job market
- Resource closets with free clothing + toiletries to families in crisis or individuals job hunting
- Food pantries for families experiencing food insecurity
- Robust public events for school registration + supplies
The charge started in Fairfield, and now inCommunity has expanded into the City of Jasper, and a partnership within Birmingham is in the works!
“Communities identify their needs, and we respond. That’s a really important part of our work: Supporting and improving areas that are important to them.
Data can tell us a lot, but it can only tell us so much. It’s the lived experiences of people within these communities that we really need to listen to. If they tell us about a specific priority that didn’t initially land on our radar, we’re going to put that at the top.”
Chivon Morse, Director of Place-Based Partnerships, United Way of Central Alabama
If you’re looking for a way to give back to your community, UWCA could always use your help.
And if you’re in one of these communities and in need of a little help, UWCA is here for that, too.
You can be part of this cause and help further the Central Alabama areas that inCommunity touches. Head to United Way of Central Alabama’s website to learn more.
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