Birmingham Community Celebrates Local Initiatives and Support for Those in Need

Birmingham Community News: Celebrating Local Good Works

In Birmingham, the spirit of community service and civic engagement is certainly alive and well. Recent events highlight local nonprofits, businesses, and initiatives that aim to enhance our community and support the needy.

Fashion for Our Future March

This month, MCFW Inc. will be making headlines by participating in the Fashion For Our Future march, a significant event hosted by the Council of Fashion Designers of America and Vogue. Scheduled for September 6, on the opening day of New York Fashion Week, this historic nonpartisan march is expected to gather over 1,000 members of the American fashion industry. Their goal? To champion democracy and encourage voter participation.

Annual Chosen Conference

Meanwhile, the Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church is gearing up for its annual Chosen conference, taking place on September 13-14. This event aims to empower attendees through workshops and discussions focused on personal and spiritual growth.

Girl Scouts’ New Initiatives

In another exciting development, the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama and Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama have rolled out new programs designed to engage girls in the state. With the introduction of the Girl Scout Experience Passes, families can now create their own adventures by selecting from various Girl Scout experiences. Additionally, Girl Scout Squads will be available, led by staff or community partners, to provide groups of girls focused gatherings around special interests.

Support for Rape Victims

In an important stride towards community safety, Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded over $875,000 to the Alabama Coalition Against Rape. This funding is set to assist 15 member agencies that provide much-needed support to rape victims throughout Alabama, with a focus on training first responders for these sensitive cases.

Community Service and Education

Birmingham City Councilor Crystal Smitherman held a fraud prevention seminar recently at the Titusville Library for senior residents, addressing concerns around scams targeting older individuals. In addition, she organized a day focused on cleanup and service in her district to bolster community pride and participation.

New Food Program for Children

The Childcare Resources organization announced its sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Child and Adult Care Food Program through the Alabama Department of Education. This initiative aims to provide meals at no cost to children enrolled in Head Start and Early Head Start programs, regardless of their background.

Grants for Local Nonprofits

Grants aimed at elevating the community have also been a significant focus this month. The Philip A. Morris Fund for the Design Arts awarded $115,000 in grants to five Birmingham nonprofits. Notable grants include:

• Alabama Moving Image Association: $4,000 for signage design for the Pizitz Building redevelopment.
• Birmingham Aids Outreach: $10,000 for artistic fees related to the new façade of the Magic City Acceptance Center.
• Freshwater Land Trust: $56,000 for the Valley Creek Rails-to-Trails project, enhancing connectivity to local green spaces.
• HICA: $40,000 towards design work for a public gathering space.
• Wallace Center for Arts and Reconciliation: $5,000 for a trail system planning project in Harpersville.

Educational Insights and Celebrations

The Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama recently released a report detailing improvements in student performance on the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program, particularly noting significant growth in English Language Arts among third graders. This positive trend highlights the impact of the Alabama Literacy Act.

Finally, the Black Belt Community Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary with the Black Belt Legacy Dinner, recognizing community leaders like Chris Womack of Southern Company.

Upcoming Events

As the month winds down, the community looks forward to the semiannual CahabaQue BBQ Cook-Off organized by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama, set for October 12, at Cahaba Brewing Company. This event promises to be a delicious way to support a worthy cause.

For community members interested in sharing their own good works or newsworthy events, please send them to srebman@bizjournals.com.