The YWCA Central Alabama holds itself to a degree of excellence and outstanding character when it comes to the care and concern of our residents and housing. Improving living conditions and offering positive opportunities for everyone means not only providing a comfortable bed, but also fostering and strengthening communities. The YW is proud of the services we provide our community and we are beyond thankful and humbled when others recognize them as well. On Friday, July 18, we were honored by the Keep Birmingham Beautiful Commission with the 2014 Mayor’s Award on behalf of the YWoodlawn Initiative.
“It is an honor for the YWCA to be recognized by Mayor William Bell for YWoodlawn,” said Assistant Director of Housing Parrish Knorr. “Over the past several years we have worked tirelessly and compassionately to create YWoodlawn for families to call home. It is and always will be our mission to provide the needed services and programs that help improve the lives of the families and the communities we serve.”
The YWoodlawn Initiative is one of the YWCA’s most recent expansions into providing a wider array of services to women and families in crisis within Birmingham’s Woodlawn community.
“I’m so impressed by the work the YWCA has done with YWoodlawn,” said Birmingham City Councilor Valerie Abbott. “They have really given hope to the Woodlawn neighborhood. I hope we can replicate the YWCA’s work all over the city.”
The YWoodlawn community includes 58 units of service-enriched permanent housing, a first class facility for families experiencing the crisis of homelessness, the area’s only playground, a community garden and a Family Resource Center that supports the neighborhood through a range of programs for those with low and very low incomes. Family Resource Center programming includes individual and group classes focusing on the arts as well as culinary classes, GED classes, computer training, an after-school homework clinic and healthy lifestyle programs for adults and children. Woodlawn teens apply for CREW (Creating Responsible Educated Working teens), an eight week summer enrichment program offering job skill training, as well as academic and personal development opportunities.
“We completed our YWoodlawn campus five years ago. Winning the 2014 Mayor’s Award speaks of how well we maintain our properties for our families,” said YWCA Central Alabama CEO Yolanda Sullivan. “I am so proud of our team of staff, volunteers, supporters and community members who have contributed to this recognition.”
The YWCA Central Alabama extends great appreciation to Keep Birmingham Beautiful Commission, the City of Birmingham, Mayor William Bell and his staff. We thank them for recognizing our service as making a change for good in our community.
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