United Way of Southwest Alabama

10/29/2026

Throwback to 1962, when Mobile’s United Fund campaign reminded the community that everyone had a role to play in reaching its $1,335,836 goal. Pulitzer Prize-winning artist Reg Manning captured that message in a cartoon titled “You’re the Star of This Play!” published in the Mobile Press Register on September 30, 1962. Today, the publication continues its digital news coverage as al.com.

The illustration featured Campaign Chairman Carr Smith carrying the ball across the goal line, highlighting how every contribution helped move the campaign forward.

More than 60 years later, the same principle drives our work. Every donor, volunteer and partner agency plays a part in helping United Way of Southwest Alabama advance opportunities, strengthen families and build a stronger future across our four-county region. The faces, campaigns and goals may change, but one thing remains the same: lasting community impact happens when we all play a part.

10/29/2026

Born Ready University is offering a FREE parenting course for parents, soon-to-be parents, and caregivers of children ages 0–5!

Presented by Boys Girls Boys & Girls Clubs of South Alabama and the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education, this course covers child development, social-emotional development, school readiness, and creating a healthy and safe environment.

Each session includes food, free childcare, a $25 gift card for each session attended, books, and other incentives.

📅 Upcoming Sessions:
• November 21, 2026 | Sonny Callahan Club, Theodore
• December 12, 2026 | Semmes Club
• February 20, 2027 | Kiwanis Club, Mobile

All sessions are from 9 a.m. to noon. Spots are limited!

📩 To register, contact Harrietta Eaton at [email protected] or scan the QR code on the flyer.

10/28/2026

United Way of Southwest Alabama’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is looking for volunteers to help provide free tax preparation services to individuals and families throughout the Mobile area!

No prior tax preparation experience is required. Volunteers receive IRS-supported training beginning the first week of November, with classes held on Tuesday afternoons and repeated on Saturday mornings over five weeks.

VITA volunteers play an important role in helping community members navigate tax season and access the refunds and credits they qualify for. The computer handles most calculations, and every tax return is reviewed by a second volunteer, so you’ll have support throughout the process.

Please note: This training is exclusively for individuals volunteering with United Way of Southwest Alabama’s VITA program. It is not intended to prepare participants to start a paid tax preparation business.

If you enjoy working with people, learning new skills and making a difference in your community, consider becoming a VITA volunteer!

Sign up to learn more and receive training details: https://volunteer.uwswa.org/need/detail/?need_id=995295

10/28/2026

Thank you to Regions Bank’s Tillman’s Corner branch for welcoming United Way of Southwest Alabama for another campaign rally! We were glad to have our partner agency, Embrace Alabama Kids, join us to share the important work they do to support children and families throughout our community.

We appreciate Regions Bank for helping us highlight the impact of our partner agencies and the difference we can make together across Southwest Alabama.

10/28/2026

Thanks to the generous support of Verizon, United Way of Southwest Alabama is helping our communities prepare for severe weather.

Through our United We Prepare initiative, we’re providing individuals and families across Southwest Alabama with resources and information to help them prepare, respond, and recover when severe weather strikes.

Watch our Be Storm Ready 2026 video and learn how you can take steps now to be better prepared for the next storm.

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

10/28/2026

Looking for something spooky tonight? 👻 Take one last walk through the Haunted Trail on Freaky Creek before it disappears until next year!

📅 Tonight, Wednesday, October 28
⏰ 7–10 p.m.
📍 1363 E. Riviera Drive, Mobile, AL 36605
🎟️ $10 admission

A portion of the proceeds will benefit Penelope House, helping support survivors of domestic violence.

For more information, call 251-382-4182. Gather your bravest friends and get ready for a spooky night!

10/28/2026

Partner Agency Spotlight: Gulf Regional Early Childhood Services

Gulf Regional Early Childhood Services (GRECS) is helping build brighter futures for children and families through early learning opportunities. Through Head Start and Early Head Start, GRECS provides free, comprehensive services that support children’s development from birth through age five, preparing them for success in school and beyond.

Beyond early education, GRECS supports families through health and wellness services, family engagement, and resources that encourage children’s growth. The organization also strengthens the early childhood education community by providing professional development and training for teachers and child care providers, along with access to educational materials and resources.

By investing in children during their earliest years and equipping the adults who care for them, GRECS helps create stronger foundations for lifelong learning and success. United Way of Southwest Alabama is proud to recognize the important work of our partner agencies and their commitment to helping children and families thrive throughout our region.

Learn more about Gulf Regional Early Childhood Services at https://www.grecs.org/.

10/27/2026

Thank you to Regions Bank’s Crichton branch for welcoming United Way of Southwest Alabama this morning for a campaign kickoff! We were glad to bring Lydia from Goodwill Gulf Coast to share the incredible work our partner agency does to support individuals and families throughout our community.

We appreciate Regions for creating an opportunity to highlight the impact of our partner agencies and the difference we can make together across Southwest Alabama.

10/27/2026

We are incredibly grateful to the United Bank Foundation for its $10,000 contribution to United Way of Southwest Alabama’s Community Crisis Fund to support Hurricane Isaias relief and recovery.

This generous gift will help support families and communities in Escambia and Monroe counties in Alabama and Santa Rosa County in Florida as they navigate the challenges of recovering from the storm. We appreciate the United Bank Foundation’s commitment to helping its neighbors and investing in the recovery of these communities.

Thank you to WKRG for partnering with us to raise awareness, highlight the needs of affected communities and encourage support for Hurricane Isaias recovery throughout the region. Together, we can help connect more families with the resources they need to move forward.

You can help make a difference, too.

• Donate online: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/f/6bgp/n?vid=1svsgc
• Text to give: Text ISAIAS26 to 91999 and follow the instructions to complete your donation.

Donors may designate an eligible Alabama or Florida county they wish to support. Find additional recovery resources at https://uwswa.org/need-help/disaster-assistance/community-crisis-fund/.