Anniston, AL – The United Way of East Central Alabama (UWECA) is excited to announce it has been awarded $250,000 in Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). This grant is part of a larger allocation of $2.6 million in funding awarded by Governor Kay Ivey to support agencies across Alabama in their efforts to combat homelessness.
The funding will be utilized to launch emergency shelter services at Martha’s Hope: The Martha Vandervoort Center to End Homelessness, as well as to enhance homelessness prevention initiatives through UWECA’s community partner, Interfaith Ministries of Calhoun County. Of the total grant, $200,000 will be designated to establish emergency shelter services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness at The Bridge facility, located at Anniston First United Methodist Church (AFUMC). UWECA is set to acquire this facility, which will serve as the permanent location for Martha’s Hope.
Additionally, $50,000 of the grant will be allocated to support critical homelessness prevention programs through Interfaith Ministries. This funding will provide essential assistance such as rent and utility support for families at risk of losing their homes.
“We are incredibly grateful for ADECA and Governor Ivey’s dedication to addressing homelessness in Alabama,” stated Kyle Bryan, Program Director for Martha’s Hope. “This funding will enable us to begin serving individuals and families through Martha’s Hope, offering both emergency shelter and essential wraparound services at The Bridge. Through the new THRiVE initiative, we will also provide mental health services, ensuring comprehensive support for each guest. Our partnership with Interfaith Ministries will allow us to intervene early for families at risk, providing critical resources to keep them in their homes and avoid the trauma of homelessness.”
Martha’s Hope will be the region’s only low-barrier emergency shelter, accommodating up to 44 individuals. In addition to shelter services, the facility will offer transitional housing, life skills training, financial literacy education, and employment assistance. Mental health support will be integrated into the services through THRiVE, UWECA’s latest initiative aimed at pairing mental health resources with housing support.
The collaboration with Interfaith Ministries will enhance the capacity to assist families on the brink of homelessness, providing essential resources and case management to stabilize their housing situations before they face a crisis.
With the $250,000 ESG award, UWECA is poised to make a significant and lasting impact in East Central Alabama, offering hope and stability to those in need through both immediate shelter solutions and preventative support.
For more information about the United Way of East Central Alabama’s programs and initiatives, please visit www.uweca.org.
