A Directory of Social Justice Organizations
in the Birmingham area:
Alabama Faith Council
Bridge Ministries
Our involvement:
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham is one of 150 churches and community organizations that belong to the statewide organization Alabama Arise. The agency promotes state policies that improve the lives of low-income people. Those from member organizations are invited to be a part of Arise's efforts to inform the citizens of the state and/or lobby state legislators on behalf of poverty-related issues. For the past several years ALArise has worked diligently to have the State Legislature vote to exempt groceries from sales tax collection. The organization has also committed its resources to a movement to rewrite the state's constitution. Supporters are encouraged to come to Montgomery for Lobby Day, to contact state legislators by voice or email, and to send contributions to Alabama Arise Montgomery, AL. For more information, you may contact Helen Rivas.
Founded in 1983, the Firehouse Shelter continuously expands its resources to serve the needs of Birmingham's male homeless with the goal of helping them return to their communities, their families, and to resume independent living. The Shelter provides short-term and long-term housing options, meals, `street outreach program, counseling, medical referrals and educational programs. The Shelter serves as many as 420 meals (three a day) each day and houses as many as 175 men each night. More than 90% of Shelter clients leave for permanent or transitional housing, or for needed medical treatment.
Profile of Birmingham's homeless:
• Mostly men who are on their own;
• 90% are from the Birmingham community;
• Many hold full or part-time jobs and earn wages;
• They represent a cross-section of our citizens;
• They come from all areas, including economically deprived communities and affluent over-the-mountain neighborhoods;
• They may have been your neighbor, co-worker or employee;
• They may be someone much like you.
The success of Firehouse Shelter programs is linked to the concept of one individual reaching out o another less fortunate. And if enough individuals become involved, as volunteers and donors, then it becomes one community reaching out together, sharing the mission of the Firehouse Shelter to rescue hope, and in the process, to save lives. For specific volunteer opportunities you may call the Firehouse Shelter at 205.252.9578 or visit the website, www.FirehouseShelter.com. You may mail fully tax-deductible donations to the Firehouse Shelter, 1501 Third Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203.
From the time of its founding, the Unitarian (later Unitarian Universalist) church in Birmingham has supported the Firehouse Shelter in its budget and a group of its members have volunteered to spend the night and/or prepare meals throughout its 25-year history. To join with a group to prepare dinner for Firehouse Shelter clients on the fourth Sunday night of each month, you may contact Mike Jablonsky.
Greater Birmingham Ministries (GBM) is an inter-faith community agency sponsored by UUCB and 14 other faith group in the Birmingham metropolitan area. Formed in 1969, GBM provides emergency services to families in crisis and works with other agencies and systems to reduce poverty and pursue social and economic justice for all people.
Volunteer opportunities at GBM: work in the food pantry and clothes closet; perform administrative duties or do clean-up; maintenance of building and grounds, conduct food drives or fund-raising activities; offer insight and support by attending meetings of Direct Services, Systems Change/Economic Justice or Faith in Community meetings. Please contact Richard Rucco, UUCB representative to the GBM Board, for more information.
Pathways, a shelter for women and girls, works to end Homelessness for Women and Children through Hospitality, Housing & Hope. Pathway programs include a Day Center that provides emergency services such as food, clothing, laundry, showers and case management for guests from emergency shelters; Transitional Housing with shelters located Downtown, Southside, and in Woodlawn; Transitional Apartments and Houses; Employment Readiness; Children's Programs; Safe Haven for up to 10 chronically homeless, seriously mentally ill women (Pathways has the only Safe Haven for women in the state of Alabama); and Fiscally Fit, offering in-depth training on budgeting, savings and taxes. Our members, particularly our women can volunteer and contribute to Pathways shelters for women and children. An organization or a group of friends can organize a drive to supply such items for the shelter as toilet tissue, paper towels, toilet articles, diapers, plus-sized clothing, towels and wash cloths, sheets, and school supplies. You may bring donated items to Pathways' downtown location at 409 N. Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. (21 st Avenue). You may call (205) 322-6854 for directions.
Another opportunity UUCB contributes to Pathways is its participation in the Volunteer Food Drive. In 2009 Pathways served more than 9,000 lunch. For the convenience of UU women (and men) who would like to do something for the homeless UUCB member, Carrie Crenshaw, organized a once-a-month casserole drive for Pathways. She asked that volunteers make a casserole (use a disposable pan, wrap it in tinfoil, and freeze) and bring it to church on the third Sunday of each month. Carrie will be in the narthex to receive the casseroles and transport them to Pathways. Viola! These casseroles help with meals for two or more weeks. Carrie has also organized a group of mostly UU women to prepare and serve a complete meal to about 50 guests at Pathways on the second Sunday of each month, menu items rotating among the members. For more information on either of these opportunities, you may call Carrie Crenshaw at 426-8229.
Volunteers with Computer Skills are also needed as well as house painters. To volunteer, you may call (205)322-6854. Another opportunity to help Pathways is to contribute to its Clean Slate Fund, to help guests who are working to pay off old utility bills. You may arrange a tour of Pathways' downtown facilities by calling 322-6854.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham
A Welcoming congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association
Location: 4300 Hampton Heights Drive · Birmingham, Alabama · 35209 · U.S.A
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 19786 · Birmingham, AL 35219
Phone: (205) 945-8109 · Fax: (205) 945-8111
E-mail: office 'at' uucbham.org
Copyright © 2006-2010 Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham
All Rights Reserved.