UNITED WAY
East Central Alabama
From our direct-service programs to our
funded Community Partners, your
local United Way is providing pathways
for children & youth to succeed,
responding in times of crisis, and building
community resilience.
YOU are our partner in this work. Your gift
fuels our work and helps improve lives
every day. THANK YOU for giving!
Your gift stays here!
Our United Way is LOCAL! When you
give here, it stays here to support our
United Way’s internal direct-service
programs and Community Partners.
United Ways do not operate as
chapters. Our decisions are not made
for us by a national organization. This
allows us to reflect our community
and respond to our local needs.
We adhere to the strictest fiduciary
responsibilities and have been
recognized as being in the top 1% of
all nonprofits in the U.S. for our
excellence & transparency.
United Way Initiatives
Addressing urgent needs today for a
better tomorrow.
COMMUNITY RESILIENCY
Last year, our local 211
received 5,006 calls
and made over 11,000
referrals for clients in
need of resources.
2-1-1 is a free and confidential referral and information
helpline linking individuals to vital health and human
services around the clock throughout East Central
Alabama.
In 2023, HopeUNITED served 24 clients
through preventing exploitation and
providing recovery resources to trafficking
victim-survivors.
HopeUNITED, United Way of East Central Alabama’s Anti-
Trafficking Initiative, exists to partner, collaborate, and
provide services to help stop and prevent sex trafficking
in local communities and beyond. Our efforts include
prevention through building community awareness,
education, and training, as well as intervention through
connections with local & statewide resources.
The Martha Vandervoort Center to End Homelessness
Martha's Hope
THRiVE
Integrative Mental Health Initiative
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program
provides free tax preparation & filing for low to
moderate-income households in Calhoun County. The
initiative supports financial stability and maximizes tax
refunds for hard-working individuals.
1,509 clients received
FREE tax assistance
resulting in $1,368,362
in refunds.
Martha’s Hope will provide shelter for men, women, and
families experiencing temporary or chronic
homelessness. The facility will include two floors. The
first floor is designated for
emergency housing for up to 40
individuals. The second floor,
known as The Holloway House,
will provide transitional housing
for up to 42 individuals. The center will include case
management and on-site wrap-around services.
Thrive is an integrative mental health initiative to
address the escalating mental illness crisis among
homeless, low-income, uninsured, and under-insured
populations. In collaboration with Interfaith Ministries of
Calhoun County and St. Michael’s Medical Clinic, we
seek to breakdown the barriers to mental health access
for our most vulnerable residents.
YOUTH OPPORTUNITY
Last year alone, HFI
connected 754
students to wrap-
around services for
assistance with vital
essential needs.
In collaboration with the local District Attorney’s office,
Helping Families Initiative offers a supportive and
comprehensive approach to ending school chronic
absenteeism. HFI offers connections to wrap-around
services, crisis intervention, and case management with
the goal of improving student success and graduation
rates. HFI currently serves the Calhoun County, Cleburne
County, Oxford City, and Anniston City School systems.
Helping young people realize
their full potential.
United Way Initiatives
The Success Academy is a youth diversion program
providing an environment that promotes education,
offers mental health support, and supports student
success. The program's goal is to prepare students
with the skills and mindset needed for a successful
transition into adulthood or back into their home
school.
85% of students were successful in
graduating from Success Academy
and transitioning to their next step.
Imagination Library provides an age-appropriate book
each month to children from birth to five years of age.
With United Way of East Central Alabama as the local
champion, the program is free to children and their
families living in Calhoun, Cleburne, and Randolph
County.
40,548 Imagination Library
books mailed in 2023!
4,045 children served through
Imagination Library in 2023!
WorkFORCE Connections offers educational
opportunities and work-ready skills, empowering
qualified youth in Calhoun & Cleburne Counties to
overcome barriers and create a brighter future. The
end result connects youth to long-term employment
success while meeting the workforce needs of local
high-demand industries.
40 high school seniors graduated from
the program in 2023 earning
credentials and connected to a career
or post-secondary education!
PARTNERS & INITIATIVES
United Way of East Central Alabama
Funded Partners & Initiatives
Serving Calhoun County
2nd Chance, Inc.
Arc of Calhoun & Cleburne Counties
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Alabama
Boys & Girls Clubs of East Central Alabama
Calhoun/Cleburne Children’s Center
Community Enabler Developer
Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama
Interfaith Ministries of Calhoun County
Jacksonville Christian Outreach Center (JCOC)
Jacksonville Meals on Wheels
Piedmont Benevolence Center
Scouting America (Greater Alabama Council)
St. Michael’s Medical Clinic
The Learning Tree
YMCA of Calhoun County
2-1-1 Helpline
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Helping Families Initiative
HopeUNITED Anti-Trafficking Initiative
Martha’s Hope
Success Academy
THRiVE Integrative Mental Health Initiative
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
WorkFORCE Connections
United Way Community Partners
United Way Initiatives
Serving Randolph County
Boys & Girls Clubs of East Central Alabama
Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama
HOPE Fund of Randolph County
Randolph County 4-H Clubs
Randolph County Learning Center
Randolph County Rescue Squad
Scouting America (Greater Alabama Council)
Tri-County Children’s Advocacy Center
Wedowee Senior Center
Woodland Senior Center
2-1-1 Helpline
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
HopeUNITED Anti-Trafficking Initiative
Martha’s Hope
Serving Cleburne County
2-1-1 Helpline
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Helping Families Initiative
HopeUNITED Anti-Trafficking Initiative
Martha’s Hope
WorkFORCE Connections
2nd Chance, Inc.
Arc of Calhoun & Cleburne Counties
Calhoun/Cleburne Children’s Center
Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama
Scouting America (Greater Alabama Council)
United Way Community Partners
United Way Initiatives
United Way Community Partners
United Way Initiatives
Your link to community resources!
CALL
TEXT
CHAT
Dial 211 or 888-421-1266
Text your zip code to 898-211
Visit 211connectsalabama.org
Dialing 2-1-1 connects you to a trained Resource
Specialist that has access to a comprehensive database
of services in our community. 2-1-1 is available 24/7 and
is answered locally during typical office hours Monday
through Friday.
2-1-1 is an information & referral helpline,
linking callers to important community
resources such as:
Food Assistance • Utility & Housing Assistance
Senior Citizen Support • Disaster Relief
Health & Mental Health Services
State & Federal Services
Support for Children, Youth, & Families
and much more!