History Timeline

  • 1998-2001
    • United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) awarded a $5 million U.S. Department of Labor “Welfare-to-Work” grant to facilitate transition for 1,000 welfare recipients
  • 1999-2005
    • UWCA awarded $19 million U.S. Department of Labor Youth Opportunity Grant to increase financial, educational, and social competencies for at-risk youth in Birmingham’s Enterprise Community
  • 2000-2002
    • UWCA expanded Welfare-to-Work services under the auspices of the Jefferson County Workforce Investment Board
  • 2006-2007
    • UWCA contracted with the Alabama Department of Human Resources to coordinate a $22 million financial stabilization effort for Hurricane Katrina and Rita evacuees in Alabama
  • 2005
    • UWCA facilitated formation of the Alabama Asset Building Coalition whose mission is: “To strengthen Alabama’s individuals, families, and communities through the development of assets that support and promote generational wealth building and self- sufficiency.”
  • 2005-2010
    • UWCA awarded Assets for Independence (Individual Development Account) grant from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office of Community Services on behalf of the Alabama Asset Building Coalition; 85 IDA’s available in Jefferson and Sumter Counties
  • 2006
    • UWCA initiated Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program
  • 2006-2011
    • UWCA awarded Assets for Independence (Individual Development Account) grant from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office of Community Services on behalf of the Alabama Asset Building Coalition; 309 IDA’s available in Blount, Etowah, Dallas, Jefferson, Lauderdale, Mobile, St. Clair, Shelby, Tuscaloosa, and Walker counties.
  • 2007
    • UWCA initiated 2-1-1 as the central point of contact for IRS certified income tax assistance sites statewide
  • 2007-2012
    • UWCA awarded Assets for Independence (Individual Development Account) grant from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office of Community Services on behalf of the Alabama Asset Building Coalition; 49 IDA’s available in Jefferson and Mobile counties
  • 2007
    • UWCA served on the Arise Citizen’s Policy Project’s Working Poor Citizen’s Project’s Advisory Board that produced “Bridging the Gap: Alabama’s Working Families and the Broken Promise of Economic Opportunity,” in 2008.
  • 2007
    • United Way of America launched the United Way Financial Stability Partnership©
  • 2007
    • UWCA combined all financial stability programs under United Way Financial Stability Partnership© of Alabama banner
  • 2008
    • UWCA awarded funding from the IRS to develop volunteer income tax assistance programs for Bethel Learning Center (Pratt City), Goodwill/Easter Seals of South Alabama, the University of West Alabama and UWCA.
  • 2008
    • UWCA awarded WalMart Foundation funds to expand free tax self- preparation through Beehive.org in Selma, Tuscaloosa and Birmingham
  • 2008
    • H.U.D. named 2-1-1 as the central point-of-contact for foreclosure prevention information and referrals statewide
  • 2008
    • UWCA partnered with the President’s Financial Literacy Commission, Region’s Bank, and the Federal Reserve to convene the first Annual Financial Education Summit
  • 2009
    • UWCA convened United Way Financial Stability Partnership© of Alabama Leadership Team
  • 2009
    • UWCA leveraged federal resources to offer a 2-day financial educator training