Top 50 Over 50® celebrates members of our community who know how to dream, laugh, contribute and achieve on many levels… all the key elements of staying young while growing up. Join us in this celebration and help us recognize outstanding citizens over the age of 50 who exemplify a lifetime of achievement. Nominations close March 30, 2025
Top 50 Over 50 is Positive Maturity’s annual list recognizing individuals 50 and older for their successes and/or lifetime achievements in their businesses, personal lives and civic engagement.
Nominate a colleague, family member, neighbor, friend—someone whose lifetime of achievement deserves recognition.
Send the nominee’s full name, address, email and phone number and age verification (birthdate or knowledge they are 50+) along with your contact information and a short write-up (100 words or less) on why they should be a Top 50 Over 50 honoree.
Send by email tp penny@positivematurity.org and place Top 50 Nomination in the subject line.
Winners will be honored during a Grand Celebration at The Club in Birmingham, Thursday, July 25, 2024 from 6 to 9pm, and will receive recognition on social media, in magazines, newspapers and in local news media.
No Matter What You Need, You’ll Find It Here.
We’re much more than a banking and financial services company. We’re part of your financial life—driven by your success, helping you protect and build wealth, manage your affairs, and secure your future. Helping your vision come to life is what we do best—whether it’s pursuing new investments, obtaining funding for a high-value purchase or managing your day-to-day financial transactions.
Our approach to relationships is what makes us your bank.
8. Sense of Place: Sloan’s Horses, Kentucky, bourbon. They all somehow fit together and come to life at a new bourbon bar downtown, Sloan’s.
Photos By Chuck St. John
12. The Journey of John Rhoden
The Birmingham Musueum of Art’s current exhibition, Determined to Be: The Sculpture of John Rhoden is on view through April, and offers a comprehensive look at Rhoden’s career, showcasing over 50 works that span his dynamic journey as an artist. From intimate studies to monumental public sculptures, the exhibition celebrates Rhoden’s legacy as a groundbreaking sculptor and his impact on the art world.
16. Armour House
Armour House is a new brasserie located in the heart of downtown Birmingham’s historic district. Founded by business visionaries Rollins Montgomery and Chris Reebals, and helmed by Executive Chef Jeffrey Compton, Armour House offers a great dining experience complete with echoes of the city’s rich history and sophisticated present.
24. At Your Service
The search for the best service for absolutely anything you need.
6. Next Gen AI
Transforming local business..
28. Table Talk
Vino in Mountain Brook..
29. The South’s Best Colleges
Our annual look at the top colleges in our region.
44. Give Birmingham
Our annual look at the city’s giving spirit and the organizations that put charity into action.
At Children’s of Alabama, kids are the center of our world and our mission is to provide the very best care available to every child. It’s why we are here.
Brought to you by NexGen AI, a Birmingham-based startup funded by Lunovus LLC. Proudly supporting local businesses in our community.
We are inviting local businesses to be the first to experience the power of NexGen AI, the allin-one business tool that can revolutionize your operations, marketing, and training. For a limited time, we’re offering a 3-month free trial with no setup costs, obligations, or credit card required. All we ask in return is your honest feedback. To participate, email us at joe@tvstuff.com to get started today!
What is NexGen AI?
NexGen AI, a Birmingham-based startup funded by Lunovus LLC, is a groundbreaking platform that integrates advanced AI into every corner of your business. Imagine having an entire team of marketing experts, trainers, analysts, and customer service specialists working for you 24/7. NexGen does exactly that—streamlining operations, driving growth, and saving you time.
With AI-powered tools at its core, NexGen optimizes your business processes with efficiency and innovation. From personalized customer engagement to deep data analytics, NexGen empowers small businesses to compete like industry giants.
Why NexGen AI?
Small businesses often struggle with limited resources, but NexGen levels the playing field. With features tailored to every industry—from retail and hospitality to healthcare and real estate—NexGen enhances efficiency, reduces workload, and drives growth.
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NexGen’s SmartBAR creates instant, personalized communication in multiple languages, ensuring your message resonates with every customer. Animated visuals and direct links grab attention and drive action.
• Retailers: Promote seasonal offers with dynamic visuals that link straight to product pages.
• Healthcare Providers: Notify patients of appointments or new services in their preferred language.
2. Smart Conversations
Our advanced AI chatbot engages customers with natural, productive interactions that go beyond basic Q&A. Use realtime reviews, industry content, and tailored suggestions to convert inquiries into results.
• Car Dealerships: Offer trade-in valuations or schedule test drives seamlessly.
• Real Estate Agents: Share tailored property suggestions and local market trends.
3. AI-Powered Surveys
Say goodbye to boring feedback forms. NexGen turns surveys into engaging conversations, rewarding participants and analyzing results in real time for actionable insights.
• Hospitality: Collect guest feedback and offer personalized discounts for future visits.
• E-commerce: Discover what your customers love and optimize your offers.
4. Automated Blog Generation
Keep your website fresh and engaging without lifting a finger. NexGen generates high-quality, industry-specific blogs with AI-crafted visuals to attract and retain your audience.
• Fitness Trainers: Share weekly tips paired with exercise illustrations.
• Tech Companies: Publish emerging tech trends with clear, AI-generated graphics.
5. AI-Driven Training & Marketing Integration
NexGen streamlines staff training with AI-powered, bitesized modules that deliver quick, effective learning.
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(2nd Ave. N, Downtown)
Horses, Kentucky, bourbon. They all somehow fit together and come to life at a new bourbon bar downtown, Sloan’s.
Restaurateur Tom Saab saw a void in the market and a host of bourbon aficionados in Birmingham. Put that equation together and it adds up to a classy, stylish bar specializing in all things bourbon.
Birmingham has two tequila bars. It has a rum bar. It has a gin bar in Forest Park, but that’s it. There’s not a bourbon bar in Birmingham. Until now.
“Our goal was 300 bottles on display, and I think we got to 289, so we got pretty close. We redesigned
the back bar twice because that’s what consumers want to see now. They want to see the product,” says Tom Saab. “Nobody knew 15 years ago what the demand for bourbon would be today. And that’s how old some of these bourbons are.”
The space was designed by a New York designer named Jennifer Glenn, alongside Saab’s wife, Christina. So then it all started coming together: horse racing Kentucky bourbon. “It’s an educational theme. That’s really what we’re all about, educating customers on spirits, culture and history.
Along with straight bourbons, here is a sampling of bourbon cocktails: Paper Plane (Bourbon, Aperol, Amaro, Lemon Juice), Empty Saddle (Bourbon, Buttter Honey, Apple Bitters), Brown Derby (Bourbon, Grapefruit, Honey), El Matador (Bourbon, Honey, Lemon, Pineapple, Egg Whites). Bar Bites include Bourbon Infused
o u r n e y
Opposite page: Rhoden and Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth working on a bust that stands in front of the Civil Rights Institute. Search for Truth, c. 1950s, Bronze, 40 ½ x 11 ¼ inches, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, The John Walter Rhoden and Richanda Phillips Rhoden Collection, 2019.27.16; image credit: Sahar Coston-Hardy/Esto. Below: Eve, Bronze on marble base, 48 ¼ x 16 x 17 ½ inches, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, The John Walter Rhoden and Richanda Phillips Rhoden Collection, 2019.27.4; image credit: Sahar Coston-Hardy/Esto
From intimate studies to monumental public sculptures, the exhibition at the BMA celebrates John Rhoden’s legacy as a groundbreaking sculptor and his impact on the art world.
Three Headed Lion, 1954, Bronze, 20 x 37 x 12 inches, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, The John Walter Rhoden and Richanda Phillips Rhoden Collection, 2019.27.3; Image credit: Adrian Cubillas for PAFA
The Birmingham Museum of Art’s current exhibition, Determined to Be: The Sculpture of John Rhoden is on view through April, and offers a comprehensive look at Rhoden’s career, showcasing over 50 works that span his dynamic journey as an artist. From intimate studies to monumental public sculptures, the exhibition celebrates Rhoden’s legacy as a groundbreaking sculptor and his impact on the art world.
Rhoden’s extraordinary journey began in Birmingham’s Smithfield neighborhood, his education at Parker High School, and his eventual return to the city as an internationally celebrated sculptor. Guests will gain insights into Rhoden’s artistic and personal milestones, from his early exposure to sculpture to the impactful public works he created in Birmingham, including his tribute to civil rights icon Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth.
Born and raised in Birmingham, John Rhoden (1916–2001) was an accomplished twentieth-century African American sculptor. This exhibition presents the first comprehensive retrospective of his work. With a sculptural sensibility defined by his extensive world travels, sensualism, and a breadth of visual influences, Rhoden worked in a style that was ahead of his time. Featuring approximately fifty sculptures in bronze, wood, and stone, the exhibition illustrates the visual and technical mastery of this award-winning artist.
Rhoden attended Industrial High School (now A. H. Parker High School) in Birmingham before moving on to Talladega College.
In 1938, Rhoden moved to New York City where he studied at Columbia University and the New School for Social Research before launching into a sculpture career that took him around the world, resulting in major public commissions throughout the United States and in Birmingham, where his sculpture of the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth stands outside the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.
The Birmingham Museum of Art presented Rhoden’s first solo museum exhibition in 1985, and is excited to welcome back this important artist with a retrospective show. A group of works featured in the exhibition will also remain in the permanent collection of the Birmingham Museum of Art, the first sculptures by Rhoden to join the museum’s collection. This gift from the Rhoden Estate will ensure that Rhoden’s legacy remains celebrated in his hometown art museum in perpetuity.
Determined to Be: The Sculpture of John Rhoden is the first comprehensive retrospective of John Rhoden’s work, and was organized by the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
Eve, Bronze on marble base, 48 ¼ x 16 x 17 ½ inches, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, The John Walter Rhoden and Richanda Phillips Rhoden Collection, 2019.27.4; image credit: Sahar Coston-Hardy/Esto
Opposite page from left: Invictus, 1948, Rosewood, 19 ½ x 8 ½ x 9 inches,.Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, The John Walter Rhoden and Richanda Phillips Rhoden Collection, 2019.27.1; image credit: Sahar Coston-Hardy/Esto. Priest of the Borealis, 1980, bronze with metal base, 30 ¼ x 13 x 7 ½ inches, The John Rhoden Collection (JR103I) at PAFA, promised gift to the Birmingham Museum of Art; image credit: Sahar Coston-Hardy/Esto. Agilita, 1963, bronze on marble base, 27 ¾ x 28 x 20 inches, The John Rhoden Collection (JR008) at PAFA, promised gift to the Birmingham Museum of Art; image credit: Sahar Coston-Hardy/Esto
Armour House is a new brasserie located in the heart of downtown Birmingham’s historic district. Founded by business visionaries Rollins Montgomery and Chris Reebals, and helmed by Executive Chef Jeffrey Compton, Armour House offers a great dining experience complete with echoes of the city’s rich history and sophisticated present.
The restaurant features dry-aged steaks grilled over fire and fresh from the sea raw bar options. This sophisticated yet comfortable dining space was created from what was once the Armour & Company meatpacking building. Well over a century old, the building speaks to Birmingham’s classic hard-working city history.
Executive Chef Jeffrey Compton served as Chef de Cuisine at Acre in Auburn, where he played a pivotal role in Acre earning a multitude of prestigious awards including 2018 Best Restaurant in Alabama from Southern Living Magazine, a spot on Open Table’s 50 Best Southern Restaurants in the Nation, and Best Farm-to-Table Restaurant in Alabama from Travel & Leisure
Compton’s culinary style has been shaped by his extensive travels through Southern Europe where he explored France, Spain, Italy and Greece. The rich and diverse flavors he encountered along the way inspired him to create a sophisticated yet rustic approach to cuisine.
“So the way I see the food here is quality ingredients executed very professionally with a little bit of rustic flare. We don’t have
white tablecloths for a reason because we kind of want to show off all those tables, which were reclaimed from wood here in this building,” Compton says.
The restaurant opened after an extensive building renovation back in November. Building renovations included the creation of 20 apartments on the upper floors, and a speakeasy bar, Pogo, in the basement.
Still the restaurant experience is what really matters.
Diners are greeted through the front door with the impressive bar the first thing that catches your eye, followed by the giant display case highlighting the beef and other meats that form the centerpiece of this restaurant’s menu.
“It is an awesome kind of greeting. You are greeted by this beautiful bar, and then as you make your way to the dining room there is a big display case full of beef and we do some seafood and prosciuttos and ducks hanging. So it’s a pretty cool entrance,” Compton says.
“We’re thrilled to bring elevated brasserie dining and a new culinary experience to the Birmingham community,” Compton said in a media release.
“Our team has poured their hearts into bringing this concept to life, and we look forward to welcoming both locals and visitors alike to experience all that Armour House has to offer.”
Compton says he was trained in rustic French cooking, and did
some traveling in France and Spain. “I wanted bring back that style of food. I’m from the Gulf Coast, so I obviously love seafood and I have a passion for it. Food really is love. So anytime we are putting out a plate and an entree, we’re putting a little bit of a piece of our heart on that plate as well. So we want to be able to do that in a fun, creative way, while constantly changing the menu because the seasons change, the food changes, everything changes. So we want to change with that. We want to blossom in the community,” Compton says.
“We want to be a contributing member to the hospitality community here and hopefully be welcomed with open arms,” he says.
PRIME NEW YORK STRIP 16oz
With sides marinated beets, wood-fired mushrooms, braised collard greens. BONE-IN PORK SCHNITZEL
Crispy Brussel sprouts, roasted butternut squash, apple, prosciutto vinaigrette, ramp aioli, 25 year balsamic SEARED GULF FISH
Gulf gumbo base, duck andouille rice perloo, colossal shrimp, salsa verde, fines herbs SEAFOOD TOWER
A grand tower showcasing raw bar selections one dozen oysters, lobster salad, tuna crudo, and shrimp cocktail YELLOWFIN TUNA RILLETTES
smoked yellowfin tuna, whole grain remoulade, pickled fresno pepper, chive, olive oil, lavash
Armour House is open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 4:30 to 9 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Reservations are available. Walk-ins are welcome.
For more information and updates, go to armour-house.com or follow @armourhousebhm on Instagram.
In addition to Armour House, the four-story building, which faces First Avenue North on the front and Morris Avenue in the back, currently includes 20 luxury apartments and a rooftop terrace with a sweeping view of Birmingham’s Southside.
Photography by Chuck St. John.
DANNY BEDGOOD, AUTO REPAIR SHOP OWNER
Danny Bedgood started working on vehicles as a teenager, and went to work for Toyota when he was 17 years old. For the past decades he has been owner of Superior Automotive. “I saw a need to give people a really good option for service that they could feel good about. I wanted to treat people like family and service their vehicles for the long haul, not just try to sell them something they don’t need,” he says.
“Very few people are able to do what they do everyday and really thoroughly enjoy it. God has given me the ability to do something I am extremely passionate about and I know I can help others doing it. I love the interaction with people, making new friends and adding new members to my Superior Automotive family. Taking something that’s broken and making it work again or servicing it to assure it lasts longer for the owner is my goal.
“We give people the hands-on personal touch in service that the whole team here provides. I feel like we perform and provide that at a high level of service and attention to detail to every vehicle we service and repair.”
Deborah Young agrees: “I first met Danny when he serviced my parent’s Lexus. He would take my parents back home after they dropped off their vehicle. I have raved about his kindness and thoughtfulness. I never have any doubts about what he says. I think of him not only as an excellent service person but as a friend I can call on any time.”
For customer Nolan Hudson that sense of a relationship is paramount to good service. “We have developed a friendship. You always feel safe and if he tells you something you can believe him. It’s been a great relationship. He is skilled and has surrounded himself with employees that are a mirror of Danny,” he says.
TOM SAAB, RESTAURATEUR
“We treat people that come into our establishments (Bistro 218, Sloan’s and Bocca), as if we’re entertaining in our home. We want them to feel comfortable, unintimidated, and dine and drink in any manner that they please,” says chef and owner Tom Saab.
“I think that the most important person in the room should be the guest and not the chef. So we put guests first,” he says. The standards they apply to customer service are by the book, literally. “We have a service standards document that says things like serve from the left, retrieve from the right handle stemware by the stem, never touch a glass within four inches of the rim. Things like that.”
How important is customer services to the success of a restaurant? “Well, it is everything. I mean, everything. We cultivate our regulars and have for years, and we create profiles on our guests. I can pull up a guest right now from my phone, and we know that they like sparkling water before the meal.
“We know their favorite wines. If they’re an event guest and they’ve come to one of our wine dinners or bourbon dinners, they’re considered a regular. Our big thing at the door is ‘Welcome Back.’ If they’ve been in before, we want to welcome them back. And we try to get to know them, seat them at the same table, give them the same waiter, and know their likes and dislikes,” Saab says.
“There is a name for that and it is not customer service..it is individualized service.”
Watch for the following online and in your email newsletter. We want to know what you consider to be the best examples of excellent customer service (and why) in the following categories:
Coffee Shop
Fine Dining
Lunch Spot
Cocktail Lounge/Bar
Home Repair
Auto Repair
Grocery Store
Specialty Food Store
Wine Shop
Women’s Clothing Store
Children’s Clothing Store
Men’s Clothing Store
Spa
Fitness Gym
Furniture Store
A chic, casual Mediterranean and Italian eatery, located in the center of English Village, Vino is a great intimate dining spot and top outdoor patio destination.
Nightly offerings include an array of fresh menu choices from upscale American and Mediterranean cuisine. Vino also offers an extensive wine collection, and the attached Gallery Bar is a cozy and comfortable place to wind down after a busy day.
For starters, some of the options include the crispy calamari (hand herbcrusted with marinara), toasted ravioli, or Persian roasted eggplant.
There is a wide choice of entrees including Capellini Vino, pasta in a spicy cream sauce with baby spinach, scallions, and diced tomatoes. Meat and seafood choices include braised rosemary lamb shank with Moroccan couscous and roasted organic veggies; and a salmon kabob with grilled organic veggies and citrus rice.
For dessert try the classic tiramisu or the Vino creme brulee.
The University of Alabama provides students with exceptional resources, tools and support to achieve their highest potential. Recognized as one of the 2024 Best Colleges in the U.S. by The Wall Street Journal, UA delivers a top-quality education with limitless opportunities for success–especially for students in our state.
Overall, UA has students from all 67 Alabama counties, all 50 states, the District of Columbia and 95 countries. Among them are 1,140 National Merit Scholars, making UA one of the nation’s leading institutions for enrolling National Merit Scholars.
UA students consistently achieve remarkable success on a national stage. To date, our campus has produced 65 Goldwater Scholars, 17 Rhodes Scholars, 16 Truman Scholars, 43 Hollings Scholars and 20 Boren Scholars.
As a student at UA, you’ll choose from 100+ majors and programs in eight undergraduate degree-granting colleges and schools. Many of our programs are ranked among the best in the country, offering opportunities far exceeding those available at other colleges and universities. If none of the traditional majors are quite right, you can forge your own path through New College, which allows highly motivated students to customize their own course of study. Additionally, through the Accelerated Master’s Program and the STEM and CREATE Paths to the MBA, high-achieving UA students can work toward an undergraduate degree while pursuing a graduate degree at the same time.
Listed among the Best Value Colleges by The Princeton Review, UA is committed to keeping higher education attainable for Alabama residents. With several academic and scholarship opportunities reserved exclusively for in-state residents, many of our state’s top high school graduates choose to build their future at the Capstone.
At UA, you’ll have classes with top faculty in well-appointed classrooms across campus, but learning doesn’t stop there. Our students expand their knowledge through high-tech labs, exclusive internship and study abroad programs, and real-world, hands-on learning opportunities.
Our competition teams, including Alabama Astrobotics—a robotic mining team—and the Alabama Forensic Council—the University’s speech and debate team — consistently rank first in national competitions.
With 650+ student organizations on campus, UA offers unmatched involvement opportunities. Over half of our students find leadership opportunities within these groups, which span a range of interests including academic, social, religious, political, arts and sports. Whatever your passion, there’s an organization for you. You can learn more about these organizations at Get On Board Day held at the start of each fall and spring semester.
At The University of Alabama, we prepare students to achieve their goals while on campus and to excel as alumni. UA’s network of more than 34,000 active alumni association members around the world, as well as several Young Alumni groups across the country, can help you make the transition from college to young professional.
Reach out to your local recruiter to start your UA journey. Find your recruiter at connect.ua.edu.
#1 National Science FoundationFunded Academic Institution in Alabama Travel + Leisure named Tuscaloosa among its 25 Best College Towns and Cities in the U.S. 2025 Best Colleges for Future Leaders - TIME Magazine
100% medical and graduate school acceptance rate through McCollough Institute for Pre-Medical Scholars
Learn more about our award-winning campus at admissions.ua.edu
At Auburn University, students don’t just learn; they engage, lead and create, shaping an experience that lasts a lifetime.
Recognized as the No. 1 university in Alabama by U.S. News & World Report and the happiest student body in the nation by The Princeton Review, Auburn students are both challenged by top-tier academics and encouraged to thrive. Forbes and Money also rank Auburn among the best colleges in the nation, reflecting an unparalleled value.
Through internships, co-op programs, study abroad opportunities and hands-on learning, Auburn students prepare to solve the world’s most complex problems. Guided by a spirit of curiosity and supported by world-class faculty
and a network of mentors, they develop the skills and character to make a difference. “I was able to find mentors on Handshake, a platform to directly contact alumni who have helped me shape who I want to be when I leave college,” said Colin Rigor, a senior in business finance.
Auburn’s commitment to sharing knowledge extends far beyond campus. Our alumni are proof of this, leading in boardrooms, laboratories, classrooms and communities across the globe. From the CEO of Apple to the founders of Habitat for Humanity and Wikipedia, six astronauts, an Oscarwinning actress and countless leaders, Auburn’s graduates embody our enduring belief in hard work and a fearless spirit. It’s no surprise 97% of recent graduates feel their Auburn education has advanced their careers.
As part of the Auburn Family, students share time-honored traditions and make lifelong friends. Even after graduation or far from campus, graduates remain connected to Auburn through a worldwide network of more than 250,000 alumni.
Plan a tour to see why Auburn is a place unlike any other. Find out more at auburn.edu/visit. To learn more about Auburn University, visit auburn.edu/admissions.
At Auburn, an unmatched student experience and hands-on education turns big dreams into reality.
U.S. News & World Report and the Wall Street Journal ranked us #1 in Alabama and among the top public universities in the country. Money named us on their list of Best Colleges in America, and The Princeton Review recognized us for having the happiest students in the nation. Discover how Auburn can make you feel like family the Auburn Family. War Eagle!
auburn.edu/admissions
Nestled in the heart of Birmingham, Highlands College is transforming higher education through its unwavering mission: to equip students to advance the Kingdom of God. Highlands College prepares future leaders to make an immediate impact in ministry worldwide through an academy-model approach inspired by the United States Military Academies.
At the core of the Highlands College experience are the academy-inspired Four Pillars—Academic Instruction,
Ministry Training, Character Formation, and Spiritual Development. This structure ensures students graduate as well-rounded, capable individuals ready to lead with purpose. The College’s accredited bachelor’s degrees, paired with over 800 hours of hands-on training, provide practical skills that enable graduates to thrive in diverse environments while maintaining a solid foundation of faith.
Highlands College is committed to removing barriers to education without accepting one penny of government funding. Every student receives a scholarship package, making it possible to graduate and begin their calling without financial burdens. This distinctive commitment opens doors for students to focus on serving their communities and fulfilling their purpose. Today, more than 1,300 graduates are serving in churches and ministries across 36 states and 21 countries.
With its goal to train 1,000 students annually, Highlands College continues to prepare for its rapid enrollment growth. Plans are underway to enhance the student experience and further develop its state-of-the-art campus to equip students for a life of eternal impact.
This transformative work would not be possible without the support of dedicated partners who believe in the power of investing in the next generation. Individuals and organizations can be part of this inspiring mission by supporting Highlands College—empowering students to make a lasting difference in the world.
To learn more about Highlands College, visit highlandscollege.edu. Together, we can shape the leaders of tomorrow and make an eternal impact.
FOUNDED IN 1896, the University of Montevallo is nestled in the heart of Alabama, approximately 35 miles south of Birmingham.
Designed by the architects behind New York’s Central Park and the grounds surrounding North Carolina’s Biltmore House, our campus serves as a picturesque backdrop to match the University’s world-class educational offerings. White columns, expansive lawns, brick walkways and stately oaks are just part of the campus’ beauty that has earned widespread acclaim. Southern Living magazine even named us among the “South’s Most Beautiful Colleges.”
As Alabama’s only public liberal arts university, Montevallo offers the charm of a private school with the value of a state-supported institution. We are dedicated to creating transformative opportunities for our students. Nationally acclaimed, Montevallo has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top Public Regional University and a Best Value School for 16 consecutive years. Additionally, Montevallo has been named a College of Distinction for 13 years in a row.
Montevallo provides a personalized education with an average class size of 16, offering more than 30 degree programs and 70 majors and concentrations across five colleges: Arts
and Sciences, Business, Education and Human Development, Fine Arts and Health Professions. Students benefit from our hands-on research opportunities with fulltime faculty mentors, preparing them for impactful careers.
Our vibrant campus life extends to athletics, where our 23 NCAA Division II teams compete in the Gulf South Conference, Peach Belt Conference and the New South Intercollegiate Swimming Conference. Beyond traditional sports, students can join cheerleading, dance, cycling, fishing and esports teams.
A hallmark of Montevallo is College Night, the nation’s
oldest homecoming tradition of its kind. For over a century, students have united in spirited competition, earning College Night a place in the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress and recognition on Jeopardy!® twice.
We invite you to visit and experience the community, inspiration and opportunities that make Montevallo special. Discover why You Belong at Montevallo!
FOR MORE INFORMATION: montevallo.edu/tours CALL: 205.665.6030 or 1.800.292.4349 (toll-free)
EMAIL: admissions@montevallo.edu
The University of North Alabama (UNA) in Florence, Alabama, stands as a beacon of innovation and studentcentered excellence, leading the charge in preparing tomorrow’s workforce. At the heart of UNA’s mission is a commitment to experiential learning, where every graduate is poised to thrive with hands-on opportunities like internships, study abroad, and mentorship programs. Coupled with a low student-tofaculty ratio and diverse academic offerings, UNA ensures a personalized educational journey that fosters success.
Beyond academics, UNA prioritizes sustainable growth, enhancing campus infrastructure, safety, and connectivity while fostering meaningful community partnerships and inclusivity. With a strong focus on financial viability and data-driven strategies, UNA is building a future that balances resource efficiency with robust enrollment.
As a regional university with a global outlook, UNA’s unwavering commitment to transparency, communication, and academic excellence positions it as a leader in higher education, shaping bright futures for students and communities alike.
Founded in 1830, UNA is Alabama’s oldest public fouryear university, blending a storied history with forwardthinking initiatives. Its 130-acre campus, nestled in the vibrant and culturally rich Shoals region along the Tennessee River, is within walking distance of historic Florence’s lively downtown. Surrounded by the iconic Muscle Shoals music heritage, arts, and entertainment, UNA offers students an enriching environment both on and off campus.
UNA has more than 10,000 students enrolled in a dynamic and diverse community. The student-to-faculty ratio 18:1 ensures small class sizes, averaging 24 students, fostering personalized attention and academic excellence. Home to over 1,000 international students from 69 countries, UNA offers immersive global learning experiences, including study abroad programs in Costa Rica, Africa, France, Australia, and China. The renowned Delores and Weldon Cole Honors College further elevate the student experience with exceptional resources, mentorship, and nearly 100% placement rates for graduates in careers or graduate studies.
As a student-centered, regional, state-assisted institution of higher education, UNA pursues engaging in teaching, research, and service to provide students with educational opportunities, an environment for discovery and creative accomplishment, and
a variety of outreach activities meeting the professional, civic, and social, cultural, and economic development needs of our region in the context of a global community.
UNA’s impact extends beyond the classroom. Its 14 NCAA Division I athletic programs have achieved more than 40 conference championships and seven national titles, uniting students and alumni with the roar of Lion pride. Economically, UNA contributes over $340 million annually to the Shoals region, solidifying its role as a vital community partner.
UNA pairs affordability with excellence, offering over 300 degree programs and concentrations, consistently ranking among the state’s most cost-effective institutions. Accredited by SACSCOC to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees, UNA combines history, innovation, and opportunity to prepare its students for a thriving future.
UNA invites you to experience campus life with exciting upcoming events! Admitted Student Day on February 17 welcomes future Lions, while Light the Fountain on March 13 celebrates spring with a beloved campus tradition. Don’t miss Preview Days on March 15 and April 11 for an immersive look into UNA’s academic and student life!
UNA BOX 5027 • 601 CRAMER WAY • FLORENCE, AL 35632 • UNA.EDU
Founded in 1841, Samford University is a national pillar for educating with strength and purpose, enrolling 6,101 students from 49 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries.
Samford is one of the country’s leading Christian universities and offers undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Samford’s tradition of academic excellence also extends to various continuing education and online programs for prospective students. As part of the College Pulse Survey for 2025, The Wall Street Journal ranked Samford in three top 10 national rankings. Samford ranked #2 in the nation for the character development of its students, #8 in the nation for the quality of career preparation provided to its students, and #10 in the nation for the most highly recommended college or university by students and recent alumni. Additionally, 97% of undergraduate alumni
are consistently working or in further study after six months of graduation.
Samford’s 57,663 alumni have included more than 60 members of the U.S. Congress, eight state governors, two U.S. Supreme Court justices, one Secretary of State, four Rhodes Scholars, multiple Emmy and Grammy award-winning artists, two national championship football coaches, and recipients of the Pulitzer and Nobel Peace prizes.
The university fields 17 varsity sports—eight men’s and nine women’s—that participate at the NCAA Division I level in the Southern Conference. Samford’s athletic teams earned a 98% Graduate Success Rate by the NCAA, the highest score in the Southern Conference, the highest in Alabama and the second highest in the nation among all Division I universities.
Learn more about Samford at samford.edu or schedule a visit by calling 205-726-3673.
Samford
Samford. Where passion meets purpose.
samford.edu/go/purpose
Our annual look at the city’s giving spirit and the organizations that put charity into action
The ASO changes lives through music by entertaining, educating, and inspiring audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Our concerts, community events, and free education programs are offered across the state, with a special focus on arts access for underserved communities.
• The ASO’s Masterworks series has something for every classical music lover, from classical’s most famous pieces to modern compositions.
• Coffee Concerts allow students and seniors to attend condensed daytime concerts.
• Our SuperPOPS! series includes pop tunes, movie screenings, Broadway hits, and more.
• A new series at the historic Carver Theatre presents intimate chamber music.
IN THE COMMUNITY
• Our season kicks off with a free Symphony in the Gardens concert at the Botanical Gardens in September.
• Our season finale, Symphony in the Summer, is three nights of free music at Railroad Park over Memorial Day Weekend!
• Music Meets Medicine offers ASO chamber performances to over 400 patients and healthcare professionals in several metro area hospitals.
• Tunes on Tap are fun, free ASO concerts at breweries in and around Birmingham.
IN THE CLASSROOM
• ASO Education fills gaps in music education through custom, standards-based concerts, lesson plans, streaming, and visits to classrooms. We serve 25,000+ students in 200 schools across 48 counties.
• Our Momentum Symposium offers free performances and professional development for all Alabama collegiate music students, with a special focus on HBCUs.
• We cultivate young talent through ASYO, which rehearses weekly and performs 4 annual public concerts.
For more than 100 years, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra (ASO) has entertained Alabamians of all ages and backgrounds, pursuing its mission to change lives through music. As the state’s only fulltime professional orchestra, our goal is to perform world-class symphonic music and increase access to the arts for communities in the Birmingham metro area and across the state.
The ASO advances economic and cultural vitality in Alabama through live performances and education programs of the highest artistic standard. Performances include traditional classical, pop music, chamber music, new compositions, and collaborations across genres. Each season, the ASO presents over 100 concerts and education programs in the concert hall and in classrooms and performs for our community in non-traditional venues, like hospitals, malls, parks, and breweries.
The ASO entertains, educates, and inspires nearly 100,000 Alabamians annually, including 25,000 students and teachers in 200 schools across 48 of 67 Alabama counties.
Masterworks Concerts: Jan. 10 & 11, Jan. 31 & Feb. 1, Feb. 21 & 22, March 14 & 15, April 11 & 12, May 2 & 3, May 16 & 17
ASO @ Carver: Jan. 16, Mar. 6
Concertmaster & Friends: Feb. 4, May 6
SuperPOPS!:
Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert Jan. 24 & 25
Birmingham Does Broadway! Feb. 14
ARETHA: Song & Symphony Mar. 22
Música de Mariachi! Apr. 26
Coffee Concerts: Feb. 21, Apr. 11, May 16
Tunes on Tap: Apr. 3, May 8
Special Event: Secret Sisters Apr. 24
Through funding partnerships and the kind donations that our communities provide, we create employment opportunities wherein those with barriers to employment and selfsufficiency can learn, develop, and grow to become productive members of the community and reach their life goals.
Alabama Goodwill strengthens communities through the power of work and opportunity. By providing job training, career counseling, and workforce development programs, Alabama Goodwill helps people achieve independence and financial stability. Community initiatives like donation drives, thrift tours, and career fairs promote local engagement and sustainability through reuse and recycling. Every donation and purchase supports essential services, driving life-changing support and stronger communities.
2350 Green Springs Hwy S. Birmingham, AL 35205 205-323-6331 • info@alabamagoodwill.org
Alabama Kidney Foundation (AKF) has been a beacon of hope for those affected by kidney disease in our state. With Alabama ranking first in the nation for dialysis patients per capita, the need for support is more critical than ever. Currently, more than 14,000 residents are on dialysis, highlighting the urgent demand for resources and assistance.
At AKF, we are committed to improving the lives of low-income dialysis patients through education, support, and financial aid. We understand the immense mental and emotional toll that comes with a kidney disease diagnosis, and we strive to offer comprehensive support to help patients navigate their journey.
Each year, we organize six walks across the state—including Birmingham, Huntsville, Shoals, Montgomery, Mobile, and Dothan—as our largest fundraising events. The funds raised from are crucial in sustaining our two key financial assistance programs:
Daily Living Needs: This program provides essential support to help patients cover basic daily expenses. We assist with prescriptions, utility bills, and other living costs, easing the financial burden that often accompanies kidney disease.
Alabama Transportation Assistance Program (ATAP): Recognizing that many kidney dialysis patients live far from treatment centers, the ATAP program offers transportation services to help alleviate the high costs associated with travel for dialysis and transplant-related appointments.
The mission of the Alabama Kidney Foundation is to serve the kidney patients of Alabama through financial assistance, education, and support services. The Foundation also provides statewide education to promote organ donation awareness and prevention of kidney disease.
Visit www.alkidney.org to learn how you can become involved or donate. Together we are transforming lives.
Our mission is to Help Oncology Patients Excel during the fight against cancer. The Alabama Oncology Foundation is committed to improving the lives of patients and families throughout central Alabama through supportive services and resources to ease the burdens faced by those fighting cancer.
• Prescription Co-pay Assistance
• Rent and Utilities
• Groceries and comfort
• Transportation
• Bereavement
• Respite/Childcare
Fitness Support
Caregiver Support • Referrals to community resources
The AOF is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 2020 with the goal of Helping Oncology Patients Excel during their fight with cancer.
We are dedicated to relieving some of the challenges experienced by cancer patients, families and caregivers so they can focus on healing and recovery.
AOF is funded by the generosity of industry partners, local businesses and individuals in our community. Funding is awarded to qualified patients on a case-bycase basis by our Board of Directors. The foundation offers a wide range of support.
The Alabama Oncology Foundation is passionately dedicated to supporting the mental and physical wellbeing of cancer patients in our community. YOU can give HOPE to someone in need. Please join us by supporting the AOF today!
get invoLved:
• Get the Breast Cancer Research license plate. All proceeds benefit the BCRFA. Info at bcrfa.org/tag.
• Attend or volunteer at an event. Spring events include the Pink Palace Casino Night (March 1), CahabaQue BBQ Cook-Off (April 12), and Drive Out Breast Cancer golf tournament (May 19). More info at bcrfa.org/ events.
• Donate. Your gift to the BCRFA supports the state’s top breast cancer researchers and gives hope to the countless people affected by the disease. More at bcrfa.org/donate. BCRFA
Funding ReseaRch, saving Lives. Founded in 1996, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama (BCRFA) is a local nonprofit organization with a mission to cure breast cancer by funding promising breast cancer research in Alabama and raising awareness. BCRFA investments fuel innovation at every point in patient care, from prevention to treatment. With community support, BCRFA has invested over $16 million in life-saving breast cancer research and treatments across the state. All funding stays in Alabama, but the impact is worldwide.
bcrfa.org • @BCRFAlabama • (205) 413-4600 4 Office Park Circle, Ste. 109, Birmingham, AL 35223
To ignite passion for transformational change.
A just, prosperous, and unified region where every person is empowered to reach their full potential. Include, Innovate, Inspire, Lead.
Five priorities, identified based on feedback from residents across the region, guide the Foundation – Nurturing Thriving Communities, Overcoming Persistent Poverty, Creating Economic Opportunity for All, Fostering Equity and Inclusion, and Driving Regional Cooperation.
Individuals, families, and businesses can be part of our work while also supporting their favorite organizations. Through donor-advised funds, donors granted more than $27 million in 2023 to support a range of causes, from arts, education, and health to family and social services, and more.
Through its competitive grant-making process in 2023, the Foundation awarded $2.691 million to area nonprofits, including the Women Under Construction Network and InToto Creative Arts.
PROACTIVE INITIATIVES
To maximize impact, the Foundation implements large-scale, multi-year initiatives that address key concerns and accelerate progress. Initiatives include Mental Health, Regional Cooperation, Microtransit, Economic Opportunity, and Summer Learning Loss.
Many donors have a specific area of philanthropic interest, and a Field of Interest Fund allows them to support that cause without having to specify one organization. Field of Interest Funds include the Remy Fund for Pets and Animal Services and the Philip A. Morris Fund for the Design Arts.
Founded in May 1959 as a public endowment, the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham continues to thrive on the idea that together we have the power to create transformational change. By galvanizing the passion of philanthropists, nonprofit organizations, and leaders, we empower communities, create opportunities, grow capacity, and build charitable resources. Over the past 65 years, the Foundation has invested more than half a billion dollars back into our region. Taking on the fundamental issues that challenge the growth and success of the people in our communities, the Foundation serves five counties – Blount, Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby, and Walker. In 2024, the Foundation moved to its new headquarters in the Nextec building at the nexus of the Civil Rights District and the Switch. The Foundation strives to be a physical catalyst and a hub of activity for the nonprofit sector, fostering partnerships and driving collective impact.
Above left: A grant to InToto Creative Arts helps support programs at Firehouse Ministries Homeless Shelter and Pathways. At left: Women Under Construction Network received a grant to support the REPAIR Angels program.
Above: The Community Foundation was awarded a grant for the launch of Via Microtransit, an on-demand shared ride service focused on connecting “high need and underserved” communities.
Big Brothers Big Sisters operates under the belief that inherent in every child is incredible potential. Each time a child is paired with a role model, a friendship begins that can grow into a future of unlimited potential. To learn more about how you can positively impact the life of a child, visit www.bbbsbhm.org or call 205-939-5590.
As an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham (BBBS) has provided positive mentors for youth through its mentoring programs since 1973.
BBBS is a non-profit whose main focus is empowering Birmingham area youth. BBBS’s mission is to create and support one to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.
The initiatives of BBBS bolster self-esteem and work to improve the chances that the youth served will achieve success in their academic, social, and family lives.
BBBS of Greater Birmingham operates under the vision that all youth achieve their full potential. BBBS serves youth between the ages of 7 and 18 and recruits, screens, trains, and matches volunteer mentors with youth. Each year, BBBS serves more than 1,000 youth in Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Blount, Chilton, Winston, and Walker Counties.
BBBS of Greater Birmingham is presently looking for volunteers to help us continue our mission. Please visit www.bbbsbhm.org to apply.
MISSION
Our mission is to serve the unmet needs of people experiencing personal crisis or mental health issues and respond with services that promote coping, emotional health, and well-being.
The Crisis Center provides support and resources to people who are in personal crisis. Our staff and volunteers are trained to provide empathy, confidentiality, and unconditional positive regard, supporting people in what is often their darkest hour. Our services empower individuals to move forward on their path to healing. When someone feels heard and knows that they are not alone, they feel safe to process their emotions without the fear of judgement or shame. At the Crisis Center we are committed to being that listening ear, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our primary service area is Central Alabama, which is defined as the six-county area surrounding Birmingham. This includes Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby and Walker counties.
Services: Our services are wide in scope, and include: Crisis Intervention & Prevention through our phone lines:
• 24-Hour Crisis & Suicide Line: 205-323-7777
• 24-Hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
• UTalk (youth hotline: 205-328-5465 (3 p.m. – 10 p.m., 365 days a year)
• Senior Talk Line: 205-328-8255
Sexual Assault Support: 24 Hour Rape Response Hotline: 205-323-7273
Substance Use Disorder Support: Recovery Resource Center: 205-458-3377 (Greater Birmingham) and 205-458-3378 (Walker County)
Mental Health Support: Representative Payee Program
Hope for Autumn Foundation is driven by compassion, commitment, and unwavering dedication to families facing childhood cancer. Our mission is to be a beacon of hope, offering support and assistance while advancing groundbreaking research in childhood cancer therapies.
Since 2012, HFAF has financially assisted childhood cancer families in Alabama with over $500,000.
Since 2012, HFAF has provided over $350,000 to cancer research at Children’s of Alabama and UAB.
HFAF organizes the largest childhood cancer awareness day in the state in September called Give Hope Day.
In 2023, HFAF created and funds a part time Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner in the oncology unit at Children’s of Alabama.
Assistance: We’re a financial lifeline, covering bills so families can focus on healing, not worry.
Research: We fuel groundbreaking research at leading institutions, driving progress towards cures.
Awareness: We raise our voices, dispelling myths and advocating for increased research funding.
Palliative: We’ve created a dedicated Oncology Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner position at Children’s of Alabama to provide specialized care.
Hope for Autumn Foundation Crawfish Boil, April 26, 2025 3-9pm at Ross Bridge. Tickets can be purchased online at www.hopeforautumnfoundation.org.
The Dance Foundation is a place where everyone can embrace the art of dance. Whether you’ve had years of the finest dance training available or just beginning. Whether you are two or eighty-two years old. Whether you are disabled or fully-abled. At The Dance Foundation, you can dance. Feel joy. Gain confidence. Be creative.
Join us as we enter our 50th anniversary year! Your generosity is the key to unlocking a brighter future for more than 1,000 students who participate weekly in our classes at 20+ sites in Birmingham, as well as those who benefit from tuition assistance in our Studio Classes Program.
Lakeshore Foundation is a Birmingham, Alabama nonprofit organization serving more than 4000 unique individuals annually. Lakeshore has emerged as a world leader in health promotion, research, fitness, recreation, sports advocacy for people with a disability, veterans, seniors and parasport activities.
As a U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site, Lakeshore is home to the Lakeshore National Adapted Sports Organization (LNASO) which serves as the National Governing Body for USA Wheelchair Rugby, Boccia United States and U.S. Para Powerlifting making Lakeshore the only U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site serving as home to three U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee sports.
Lakeshore is also home to the state-of-the-art Lakeshore Sports Science and Performance Center. It has a focus on advancing sports science research and creating greater disability equity in sports performance. Designed first for athletes with a disability, The SSPC is a cutting edge, data-driven facility designed to help disabled and nondisabled athletes reach the next level in sports performance, training, diet and more.
We take pride in serving thousands of our neighbors as we actively partner with Birmingham’s Jewish community. As a family-oriented recreational and educational facility, we welcome people of all faiths, ages, genders, sexual identities, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Our facilities include indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, a fitness center, group fitness studios, a
gymnasium, an auditorium, and indoor and outdoor tracks. Our programming includes tennis, pickleball, ballroom dancing, swimming, youth soccer, Jewish baking classes, knitting, youth flag football, tai chi, refereed pick-up adult basketball, youth basketball, inclusive art classes, extensive group fitness class offerings, discussions about Jewish history and culture, and much more.
Through the lens of Jewish identity and values, the Levite Jewish Community Center provides a welcoming, familyoriented gathering place for a diverse membership to engage in meaningful experiences of the mind, body, and soul.
• J Camp fills summers with singing, dancing, sports, swimming, field trips, and more than a dozen specialty camps.
• We work with the VA to give memberships to veterans for aqua therapy.
• Members enjoy Thursday Family Fun Night pool parties all June and July.
• Senior programming includes tai chi, knitting circle, mahjong, and special Shabbat services, plus group fitness classes and personal training geared for senior adults.
• Our Southern Jewish Voices program uses a live-interview format to present stories about Jewish life in Birmingham.
• Some 2,000 people annually attend our Jewish Food and Culture Fest.
• Our annual Sam Lapidus Montclair Run attracts 1,700 runners, making it the largest race in B’ham
• We’ve been a B’ham fixture since 1906.
Our mission is to fight sudden cardiac arrest, which claims more than 250,000 lives per year. It is also our mission to raise awareness about the need for public access defibrillation in community locations and increase the importance of pre-screening in young athletes.
“Piers was a man who walked with royalty but was as kind a soul as you could imagine to anyone who he came into contact with. The Lord Wedgwood Charity meant everything to him and he always said ‘If we could save just one life, it would be so very worth it.’ We have saved many more and we will always strive to help save many in the future.” —
Frank Bromberg, III
After suffering a major heart attack while playing golf in Birmingham in 2001, Lord Piers Wedgwood, international ambassador for Wedgwood China and Waterford Crystal, and member of the British House of Lords, was inspired to give back to the community. Following his recovery, Lord Wedgwood formed the Lord Wedgwood Charity with Birmingham-based business leaders to help place Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) in high schools and community gathering places.
In, 2002, Lord Wedgwood and long-time friend and business partner, Frank Bromberg, III, along with Floyd Larkin and Robbie Robertson, created the Lord Wedgwood Blue Dinner and Wedgwood Links to Life Celebrity Golf Classic to raise funds.
Since its establishment, the Lord Wedgwood Charity has raised in excess of $600,000.00 and placed over 450 AEDs and Cradea Screen (EKG Devices) all across the US mainly Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana Pennsylvania and Texas. The charity is proud that at least five lives (and many more unknown) have been saved due to its donations and the awareness it has raised.
After the death of Lord Wedgwood in 2013, the charity has taken a more aggressive approach and got involved with the preventative side by supplying ECG devices for Heart Screenings and by funding the research from ASMI.
Each fall the charity operates The Lord Wedgwood Charity Golf Tournament and Social as a major fundraiser for the organization.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama (RMHCA) provides a comforting, supportive environment to pediatric patients and their families who travel hours to Birmingham for world-class pediatric care.
The Ronald McDonald House is located just one block from Children’s of Alabama and UAB Women & Infants Center (WIC). The House includes 73 guest suites, indoor and outdoor play areas, multiple laundry rooms, and casual gathering spots so they can socialize and be surrounded with love and support. Families can also enjoy programs and activities provided by volunteers and eat nourishing dinners thanks to our Meals from the Heart sponsors and House Chef.
The Family Life Program began in 2013, providing support and resources to guest families. In 2021, the program was selected by RMHC Global to participate in a worldwide survey and study to identify critical needs of guest families. The results underscored the value of the Family Life Program, and demonstrated a clear need to build a dedicated space where families can fully engage with the program, as well as each other.
In 2024, with the generous support of donors and using current space within the House, RMHC of Alabama proudly opened the first Ronald
McDonald House Family Life Center in the world. The program was recognized by RMHC Global in 2024 as a model for other chapters to follow while striving to serve more families, better.
The Ronald McDonald Family Room is located within the Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of UAB WIC. The main room includes a sitting area with a TV, gaming console, books, and board games; and lunch, snacks and coffee are set out in the kitchen. Guest families can also use a washing machine and dryer or shower in one of three full bathrooms. Guests who arrive overnight or otherwise need critical sleep can use one of three sleep rooms.
The commitment to caring for families and sick children is backed by research that shows supporting the entire family results in better outcomes for all.
Services are free to guest families because of the generous financial and volunteer support of the community.
RMHC of Alabama provides essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare.
A world where every family has what they need to ensure the best health outcome for their children.
• For over 45 years RMHC of Alabama has provided comfort and care to over 50,000 families with ill and injured children.
• RMHCA receives no state or federal funding
• In 2024, 64% of the funds raised came from individuals and 59% of those individuals donated by Rounding Up their order to the nearest dollar at McDonald’s
• In 2024, 17,832 families with ill or injured children were supported by RMHC of Alabama
• In 2024, RMHC of Alabama saved families $7.4 million in food and lodging costs.
• Saturday, April 12, 2025: Red Shoe Run: Rockin’ 5K presented by McDonald’s
• Monday, May 19, 2025: RMHCA Golf Classic presented by Hudson Company
• Friday, August 1, 2025: Heart of the House Gala presented by Chad and Patti Hagwood Foundation.
• Thursday, March 6, 2025 Neon Nights hosted by the RMHCA Student Leadership Council
• Thursday, October 16: Sweet Home Brews hosted by the RMHCA Junior Board
The Arc of Central Alabama serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families through comprehensive and quality programming, advocacy efforts, education, and awareness, all in an effort to ensure those with IDD have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential for the most independent life possible.
• We accept all referrals through the proper channels and no one is turned away due to severity of disability, psychiatric diagnosis, behavioral challenges, or medical needs. The Arc supports those who are not able to be served by other providers.
• The Arc is the only provider in Alabama that can provide services for a person’s lifetime, supporting them at all ages, from birth to death.
• We are the state’s largest provider of services and also designated as a crisis center for individuals with IDD.
• The Arc of Central Alabama has been accredited by both the Council on Quality Leadership (CQL) and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
The people served by The Arc of Central Alabama are one of the most vulnerable groups often overlooked in our communities. The Arc serves 1,100+ people with IDD 24/7, all 365 days of the year through our five core programs. Community experience provides educational and adaptive life-skills training for adults with IDD. Residential services support adolescents and adults in a comfortable, safe home environment. Employment support provides training for those who desire to work and empowers individuals to be as independent as possible. Early intervention serves toddlers and their families through in-home therapy, special instruction, and resources. None of these programs would be possible without advocacy—advocating for the rights of people with IDD and funding to support their needs at the local, state, and national level.
The Learning Tree is a non-profit dedicated to serving children and adolescents ages 6 to 21 with intellectual disabilities, including autism. The Learning Tree provides residential programs in Anniston/Jacksonville, Birmingham/Pelham, Mobile, and Tallassee. Each program accommodates up to 30 children, providing 24-hour care, 7 days a week, year-round. Enrollment primarily results from the prevalence of challenging behaviors associated with their disabilities and often, inadequate family support. Programming is applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy-based and data-driven.
For more than 40 years, across Alabama, the organization has witnessed children make endless progress in an environment tailored to their individual abilities and needs. At The Learning Tree, children learn, grow, and experience their community.
To learn more or to donate, visit learning-tree. org. Your donation will help The Learning Tree to continue offering exceptional service, grow existing programs, and develop new. All donations are tax deductible, and funds go directly to provide resources for the children and young adults served.
The Learning Tree, Inc. exists to provide a warm, caring, and nurturing environment with individualized, empirically validated services and supports to persons with significant educational, medical, and behavioral challenges; helping them develop and maintain a quality of life expected by nondisabled members of their family and community.
• Applied behavior analysis is used throughout Learning Tree programs in Alabama.
• Educational services are endorsed by the Alabama Department of Education.
• Homes are certified by the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities.
Mission Statement
Women’s Foundation of Alabama is a communitydriven foundation impacting the world around us by accelerating economic opportunity for women.
Women’s Foundation of Alabama is the leading voice and philanthropic engine for women in the state, driving a mission of gender and economic equity. A trusted leader in the philanthropic sector for more than two decades, in recent years, we have strategically expanded power and influence statewide and even beyond philanthropy, creating systemic change through ground-breaking research and legislative advocacy statewide.
Mission Statement
Unless U fosters the growth of adults with disabilities academically, spiritually, physically, socially, and vocationally. Our services create an environment that promotes independence.
Women’s Foundation of Alabama has invested more than $8 million in initiatives, research, and policy to strengthen our community by building equitable opportunities for women.
As Alabama’s first and only philanthropic foundation focused solely on addressing the needs of women and girls, we leverage the resources of generous individuals, nonprofits, corporate partners, and community leaders to build a world where all women thrive. 2213 1st Ave.
Unless U was founded in 2014 by Lindy Cleveland, in honor of her brother, Jordan. Unless U creates an inclusive environment that reflects Christ’s love, ensuring that every person is cherished, celebrated, and empowered as image bearers of God, thus transforming society’s view of adults with disabilities. We now serve over 150 families between our two campuses, and open the doors to our community through Unless U Scoops, our on-site ice cream shop. Our students come from twenty seven cities around central Alabama and range in age from 18 to 53 years old. It is our greatest joy to serve our incredible students and their families, walking alongside them as individuals who show us the most remarkable gifts this world has to offer.
737 Chestnut Street • Vestavia Hills, AL 35216 (205) 460-1550 • www.unlessu.org
To enrich the lives of individuals living with disabilities and other barriers to employment by helping to ensure they achieve their vocational potential.
Empower U: A dynamic program offering experiential learning for high school students, combining job readiness and skill training paired with paid internships to prepare students for future employment.
Empower Pathways: A career development initiative offering personalized training, certification attainment, and supported employment in diverse industries.
Empower Horizons: Tailored to serve individuals living with disabilities and needing more supports, this program offers customized recreational development, work simulation labs, and paid internships.
Vocational Rehabilitation: A comprehensive program supporting adults through job readiness training, career pathways, and ongoing supported employment opportunities in partnership with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services.
Affirmative Business Enterprise: Providing groupdesigned work and supported employment opportunities in a collaborative and inclusive environment.
• The Great Birmingham Bake Off, April 5. Come to Cahaba Brewing on Saturday, April 5th to participate or sample delicious baked goods made by competing teams of local bakers. www.bakeoff.swell.gives
For more than 120 years, WE Inc. has assisted people living with disabilities or other barriers to employment to live full lives by developing their full personal and vocational potential. We believe that everyone, regardless of ability, has something positive and vital to contribute to our community.
Engaging in this program provides individuals with self-advocacy skills, supported and customized training, recreation, independent living skills, and access to competitive employment. All our programs empower youth and adults to become independent, support themselves, enhance their quality of life, engage in the community, and foster competitive work skills.
SUPERIOR AUTOMOTIVE: THEY STAND BETWEEN YOU AND A BAD-CAR DAY.
Superior creates a comfortable and welcoming place for men and women, whose Toyota and Lexus vehicles are in need of maintenance or repair.
They were the first in town to specialize in Toyota and Lexus models, and that commitment to those brands keeps the shop in the forefront of ever-changing technology and up-to-date service. Superior Automotive is able to offer top-flight service because of the skill of their mechanics and the personal commitment of owner Danny Bedgood. He has built his decades-long career on the twin standards of reliability and expertise.
There’s no kindness too small to share with a customer, no conversation that is not meaningful in building a relationship of trust and caring. It is more than just an auto repair shop; this is a community.
People start out as customers and end up being friends.
