United Way of Central Alabama is deepening its work in and around Walker County, where many families still face barriers to essential services. Backed by a $2 million investment from UWCA and an additional $1 million in federal funding, this new initiative aims to expand access to community resources that improve health, education and economic stability.
Laying the Groundwork for Long-Term Impact
To support this initiative, UWCA is bringing on two full-time staff members who will be based within Walker County and focused on engaging residents, building relationships and coordinating services. Their efforts will center on reducing barriers to student success and family stability—work that has already proven successful in other communities.
Through conversations with local leaders, we’ve identified several focus areas that can support long-term success:
- High-quality early childhood education and smooth school transitions.
- Family involvement in learning and development.
- Academic support and enrichment programs.
- College and career readiness pathways.
- Expanded access to social, medical and mental health services.
- Stronger connections between schools and the communities they serve.
A Model That’s Already Making a Difference
This approach has already shown results in Fairfield, where similar strategies led to:
- A drop in chronic absenteeism from 27.6% to 1.7%.
- An increase in college and career readiness from 73.1% to 88.8%.
- Fewer discipline incidents and behavioral disruptions.
The success of this model shows what’s possible when families and community resources work together. By bringing this framework to Walker County, UWCA is laying a foundation for progress that reflects the unique strengths and needs of the area.
Focused on What Matters Most
As part of our broader investment, UWCA recently closed the application process for the Walker County Place-Based Grant. This funding opportunity will support programs that serve the people of Walker County, with priority given to organizations based in or meaningfully connected to the area.
Our commitment is clear: we’re here to listen, respond and invest in ways that lead to real, lasting change. As this work continues, our focus remains on helping more families in Walker County connect with the resources they need to thrive.
To learn more about our impact, visit here.