UWCA adds Chilton County, becomes a 6-county group

United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) and Chilton County United Way (CCUW) combined recently into a new six-county regional United Way, effective Jan. 1.

UWCA has expanded, adding Chilton County to Jefferson, Shelby, Walker, Blount and St. Clair counties, according to a UWCA news release.

Chilton County residents will have representation on the UWCA board, according to the news release.

The alliance was approved by the boards of directors of the two nonprofits and was announced at Jemison Intermediate School on Nov. 18.

Given a tough fundraising environment, the CCUW board saw the combination as a strategic opportunity.

“During COVID, it has been extremely difficult to raise the money,” CCUW Chairwoman Mary Mell Smith said at the announcement, according to clantonadvertiser.com.

“Joining [UWCA] will give our agencies, clients and volunteers greater opportunities and resources,” Smith said.

“Our priorities and strategies and immediate needs of people in the community are already aligned,” said Drew Langloh, UWCA president and CEO, in the release.

The UWCA also recently completed a new program services campus adjacent to its headquarters at 3620 Eighth Ave. S. near Forest Park and Avondale.

The nonprofit renovated a 35,000-square-foot facility that was formerly the home of Ram Tool.