Fairfield City Schools are redefining student support, not just through academics but by serving as community hubs where families access resources, mentors and opportunities. Through United Way of Central Alabama’s (UWCA) inCommunity initiative, families, school leaders and partners come together to meet students where they are: at their schools.
The results are clear. Since the program began in 2023, Fairfield schools have seen a 32% drop in behavioral incidents, a 5% increase in enrollment and daily attendance and a 20% jump in college and career readiness.
Dr. Regina Thompson, Superintendent of Fairfield City Schools, emphasized the holistic approach, “Our partnership with United Way and other agencies allows us to meet the needs of children because we focus on them as whole people, not just students.”
Mentorship Opens Doors
Central to this progress is the role of mentors. One key partner is Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham (BBBS), a United Way partner agency that pairs students with trusted guides who encourage, support and introduce them to new opportunities. Katie Prince, Vice President of Programs at BBBS, explained how mentorship can spark life-changing ideas.
“When kids are exposed to new careers and supported by mentors, they start imagining futures they might not have considered before,” Prince said.
Beyond School Walls: Careers Come into Focus
That vision comes to life through BBBS’s Beyond School Walls program, which connects students to career opportunities through hands-on experiences and workplace partnerships.
At CJ Donald Middle School, students in grades 6 through 8 are paired with mentors from Southern Power. Twice a month, they visit mentors at work, take part in leadership activities and learn about careers in the energy industry.
“The great thing about our Beyond School Walls program is that it brings together the best parts of what we do,” Prince said.
“We meet students where they are while connecting them with professionals who are experts in their field. It not only exposes kids to new career paths and opportunities but also lets them see what a workplace looks like — while building a relationship with an adult who believes in them.”
With mentors by their side, students see how learning connects to real life. One mentor shared her own career journey with her mentee, who left inspired to pursue engineering. Students have also explored solar energy and worked side by side with their mentors to build solar-powered robots, taking responsibility for everything from practicing planning and purchasing materials to meeting project deadlines.
During the past school year, mentors matched 31 students, including nine who returned for a second year. Next year, the program will expand to include another group of sixth graders, giving students the chance to stay connected with mentors throughout middle school.
Confidence and Commitment on the Rise
The impact goes beyond career exposure. Students are becoming more confident, consistent in attendance and willing to talk about their goals.
“Every year we are amazed by the growth we see in our students. Their behavior improves, their attendance increases and they look forward to coming to these match meetings,” said Prince. “We’re especially grateful for our community partnerships, including with United Way, that make this possible.”
Surveys reflect this growth: Every student in the program plans to finish high school; 81% plan to attend college; and 89% describe their mentor relationship as very important.
Partnerships That Spark Change
By combining the broad support of inCommunity with the personalized mentoring of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Fairfield schools demonstrate how partnerships can strengthen families, improve schools and help students dream bigger.