Works of Merci, Competing in the Pepsi Refresh Project

Works of Merci, is not for profit organization located in Hoover that services the Birmingham Metropolitan Area. We provide burial/cremation assistance, host a clothes closet, provide fresh non-processed food for the homeless as well as provide a meal delivery service. Our meals are medically appropriate incorporating any dietary restrictions necessary and are individualized. We are currently competing and doing very well for a Pepsi Refresh Grant and need your help. Please vote for Works of Merci daily doing the month of July. Only the top ten vote getters in each monetary category are funded. We began on July 1st at number 251 and are currently at number 55. You may vote from this link http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.refresheverything.com%2Fworksofmerci&h=92719GfRP9Uy2HGHBDQk2Nkx-yQ or you may go to www.pepsirefresh.com and search for works of Merci. That is Merci with an I in the 50k category. We have produced three idols, National Football Champs so lets also make it a Pepsi Refresh Winner. Please vote and promote all month. This would mean a lot to our organization and many people in the community. If you would like to know more about our services, volunteer or make a donation ; Please visit www.worksofmerci.org.

Source: Published on al.com

Lisa Singleton-Works of Merci-Pepsi Refresh also said: Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me this morning. I really would appreciate anything you could do the help us promote our organization and this project. Should you need to contact me, I may be reached at 205-824-3272. Thanks again.

Local restaurant and community garden a hit with celebrity chef Jeff Henderson

Food Network Celebrity Chef and Motivational Speaker Jeff Henderson made the best of his visit to Birmingham with a trip to the Civil Rights Institute, the West End Community Garden and Ga Briella’s Restaurant in the Fourth Avenue Business District.

After visiting the Jefferson County Youth Detention Center, where Chef Jeff dropped some much needed knowledge and a stern conversation to around 20 young men, the popular chef made his way to Hot 107.7 for an hour radio show.  After the interview Chef Jeff returned to the West End Community Garden where he saw his first peanut plant. After the garden visit the popular chef dropped in to check out the Civil Rights Institute and ended up at Ga Briella’s Restaurant to grab some home cooking for lunch.  After lunch Chef Jeff told one of the family members “I wish I knew about this place two days ago!  I can eat here everyday!”

Eve’s Circle - I Am Worth it Conference 2010

I Am Worth It Conference

WHEN: JUNE 26, 2010
WHERE: AUBURN UNIVERSITY MONTGOMERY
TIME: 9AM-2PM

Guest Speakers:

Courtney Teague, Shellie Warren, Ayanna Molina,
Kenyetta Smiley, Tafeni English & Mr. Kevin Grimes

Topic Includes:
Do Over’s
Exercising Your Liberty-You have a choice!

The Downside of Girls & Gossip

If I can, you can!

Special Panel Discussion:

Building UP, not Beating Down: The truth about the state of our girls

Register online I Am Worth It Conference 2010

About Eve’s Circle

Eve’s Circle, Inc is a non-profit organization working to improve the overall quality of life for young girls. Through education, awareness and advocacy it is our mission to equip, empower, and inspire girls to overcome the barriers and unique challenges they face to improve their overall quality of life.

Despite our limited resources in a challenging economy we’ve continued to provide services to over 400 girls. Now we need your help. We continue to work diligently to address critical issues such as teen pregnancy, family conflict, low self-esteem, depression, declining academics, aggressive behaviors and  poor social skills.

Through our programs we provide relevant and timely information critical to the needs of young girls who  desperately need the awareness, education and support our work continues to offer to young girls. We offer a weekly support group, individual and family counseling, academic support and community service.

And with your help, we’ll continue to provide comprehensive programs utilizing evidenced based curriculum to address the critical challenges faced by young girls.

Please consider making your tax-deductible donation to Eve’s Circle, Inc
DONATE NOW

To learn more about our organization or to join one of our chapters please visit Eve’s Circle, Inc.

Eve’s Circle, Inc
434 N. McDonough St.
Montgomery, AL. 36104
(334) 414-3711
www.evescircle.org
evescircle@gmail.com

Target Employees Support the YWCA

Employees from the Target store in Fultondale, Alabama recently made themselves at home at the YWCA and helped to accomplish a huge organizational task by sorting, boxing and storing prom dresses that will be used for the YW’s prom dress giveaway.  The prom dress giveaway is an annual event that gives economically disadvantaged teens the opportunity to select the perfect gown to wear to their school’s prom.  The Target volunteers worked tirelessly for an entire afternoon to make sure that all the dresses were neatly packed away and ready to be used for next year’s giveaway.

Not only did the Target team volunteer, but they donated over 12 boxes of brand-new towels to the YW!  The towel donation has been used by residents in our confidentially located domestic violence shelters in Birmingham and in St. Clair County.  The shelters receive new clients almost every day, and the linens assure that an adequate supply is available to serve all of the women and families who come to the YW in need.

The towels will also be used by children in the YW’s Summer Enrichment Program.  The summer session of our After-School Enrichment Program, the Summer Enrichment Program, provides structured activities for children living in area homeless shelters.  This year’s program participants will be attending swimming classes in the coming weeks, and with Target’s donation, the YW will be able to provide each child with his or her own towel to take to the pool.

Nationally, Target stores and its associates have a rich history of volunteering and supporting the community.  Target team members donate hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours to countless community projects across the country, and also participate in annual United Way Campaigns.  In 2009 Target and individual team members donated more than $13.8 million to the United Ways across the nation, and team members also volunteered more than 40,000 hours with United Way funded agencies.  The YWCA receives nearly one-third of its operating budget from the United Way of Central Alabama.

The YW is excited to continue the partnership we have begun with Target and its team members in Fultondale, and would like to thank the store’s employees for sharing their time and resources with the women, children and families we serve.

If you are interested in supporting the programs of the YWCA, please click here.

World Sickle Cell Day Celebration

There are 100,000+ African Americans in this country living and struggling with Sickle Cell Disease including me (Tina Kay Hughes). The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) is proud to announce the observance of the First Annual Sickle Cell Disease World Day which is June 19, 2010.  This year marks the 100th year of the discovery of Sickle Cell Disease.

On Saturday, June 19, 2010 there will be a World Sickle Cell Day Celebration at 2309- 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203 (Omni Photography Studio) from 5-9pm with a cover charge of $15 per person. There will be entertainment as well and a silent auction.

Currently, as an advocate Tina Kay Hughes travels the country going to organizations, conferences, schools, colleges, and churches to educate and advocate for Sickle Cell Disease.  Tina is currently the face and voice for the voiceless in Birmingham, AL as she suffers daily from the disease also.  This event will not only recognize 100 years of the discovery of the disease but it will also provide funds to help adult patients who are the forgotten few left to suffer in silence.  Funds will go directly back to adult patients’ needs.

For additional information and the purchase of tickets please visit www.tinakay.net or at the door on the day of the event.  For additional information please email tkay@tinakay.net.  Tickets will be available for sale starting Monday, June 7, 2010.

General Mills Names Birmingham Resident A Candidate For Feeding Dreams

is Birmingham’s Community Champion in the Southeastern 2010 Feeding Dreams Competition

BIRMINGHAM, AL – May 12, 2010 – The spotlight is on local community hero Dr. Sandra Ford when the 2010 Feeding Dreams℠ campaign launches this August. Dr. Ford is Birmingham’s Community Champion as part of the Feeding Dreams grassroots initiative supported by General Mills that celebrates African-American’s commitment to community service at the local level. Dr. Ford’s compassion for her neighbors is paired with a deep-rooted passion for creating a more vibrant city through the causes she champions daily in Birmingham neighborhoods.

Beginning August 1, 2010 Birmingham residents may cast a vote for Dr. Ford who will be among the 10 Feeding Dreams champions competing for grant monies, and her photograph and story will be featured on FeedingDreams.com. This year’s Feeding Dreams program includes 10 cities: Atlanta, GA; Birmingham, AL; Charlotte, NC; Columbia, SC; Jackson, MS; Jacksonville, FL; Memphis, TN; New Orleans, LA; Miami, FL and Norfolk, VA.

Dr. Sandra Ford: In 2002, the Birmingham News did a special report about “The Black Belt: Alabama’s Third World.” This report not only inspired Dr. Ford and her husband that they could make a difference, but it moved them to take action instead of waiting for someone else to solve the “health” and “care” issues of their community. Dr. Ford has since co-founded the Spirit of Luke Charitable Foundation that sponsors A Promise to Help (APTH), a non-profit that runs on the hope of eliminating healthcare disparities in Alabama. Dr. Ford’s unwavering compassion for underprivileged and underinsured populations of The Black Belt region has brought her household recognition where her generous spirit is felt by thousands of Alabamians since she began healthcare services six years ago.

Birmingham 2010 Feeding Dreams Community Champions

Currently the FeedingDreams.com Web site pays tribute to Birmingham’s own Kerri Pruitt, a 2008 Feeding Dreams Community Champion, and Glinda Fincher, a 2009 Feeding Dreams Community Champion. A portrait of Pruitt, taken by nationally acclaimed photographer Michael Cunningham, and a 10-minute film about her work with The Dannon Project are highlighted at FeedingDreams.com.

“We’re honored today to recognize Dr. Ford who is making a difference and improving communities. We created the Feeding Dreams program to celebrate the work of our Community Champions, and we’re excited to have consumers help us empower these amazing people in 10 cities with grant monies” said Rodolfo Rodriguez, Director, Multicultural Marketing, General Mills. “Sandra and other Community Champions have made extraordinary strides to improve the lives of so many. We encourage everyone in Birmingham to show their support by visiting the Web site in August.”

Feeding Dreams online voting begins Sunday, August 1, 2010 and runs through Sunday, October 31, 2010. The program culminates in December in Atlanta with a celebratory luncheon and awards ceremony hosted by Susan L. Taylor, Feeding Dreams spokesperson and editor-in-chief emeritus of Essence Magazine and founder of the national Cares Mentoring Movement.

About Feeding Dreams
Feeding Dreams, General Mills multicultural platform to support African-American consumers, recognizes and celebrates local heroes who have devoted their lives to: helping others; nurturing their communities; and charting a better future. In its third year, Feeding Dreams taps top minority-owned businesses to help create and implement the campaign. Visit www.FeedingDreams.com for complete details.

About General Mills, Inc.
One of the world’s leading food companies, General Mills operates in over 100 countries and markets more than 100 consumer brands, including Cheerios, Häagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso, Progresso, Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A., General Mills had fiscal 2009 global net sales of US$15.9 billion, including the company’s $1.2 billion proportionate share of joint venture net sales. Visit www.generalmills.com.

Feeding Dreams is a trademark of General Mills

EPIC Elementary Archery Team Earns Highest Ever Score at State Tournament

EPIC Elementary Archery Team Only Birmingham School To Make National Finals in Louisville

The EPIC Elementary Archery Team scored a school record 2,633 points at last week’s Alabama State Archery Tournament held at the BJCC, and has qualified for the national finals.

The team, formed just three years ago, is the only school in Birmingham and Jefferson County to qualify for the National Archery in the Schools Tournament, slated for May 6-8, 2010 in Louisville, Ky.

The 21 fourth and fifth-graders who comprise the EPIC Eagles Archery Team are coached by physical education instructor Pete Bryan.   EPIC’s score ranked 11th statewide in the elementary school division, a good showing since the team is comprised of 4th and 5th graders and competed against some schools with mostly sixth-graders.

Several members of the EPIC Archery Team were among the top scorers in the boys and girls division at the state tournament, which attracted over 1,000 archers. Bryan, a bow hunter in his spare time, underwent an eight-hour certification course and, in January 2007, began integrating archery into his class with bows and arrows purchased with a grant.

”For a lot of these kids, it was the first time they’d ever touched a bow. A lot of them don’t have a lot have opportunities to participate in outdoor events,” Bryan said.

With Birmingham City Schools financially strapped due to cutbacks in state funding, EPIC is trying to raise funds to offset the nearly $2,400 bus transportation costs to Louisville for the students and adult chaperones. The team will be staying at a hotel in Louisville for two nights beginning Friday May 7, and is seeking donations. Contributions are tax deductible.

For details, contact Coach Bryan at fpbryan@bhamcityschools.org or (205)  231-7851.

The top 12 scorers, whose total accounted for EPIC’s national winning total, were:

1. Daunte Deloach at 253 points, which ranked 29th among the state’s 264 boys in the elementary division
2. Kennedy Foster at 234 points, ranking 44th among the state’s 175 girls in the elementary division
3. Austin Brundidge at 231 points, ranking 82nd among the state boys elementary division
4. Alexander Rouse at 226 points, ranking 100th among the state boys elementary division
5. Naja Williams at 221 points, ranking 64th among the state girls elementary division
6. Michael Moore at 220 points, ranking 111th among the state boys division
7. Alexis Nord at 215 points, ranking 72nd among the state girls division
8. Sonjee Givins at 210 points, ranking 79th among the state girls division
9. Nkechinyere Orji at 209 points, ranking 83rd among the state girls division
10. Aiyana Muhammad at 208 points, ranking 86th among the state girls division
11. Taylor Sellers at 203 points, ranking 90th among the state girls division
12. Chantrell Carter at 203 ponts, ranking 92nd among the state girls division

2010 Gumbo Gala Cook-off set for Saturday May 8 at Caldwell Park

30 Teams will Compete for ‘Best Gumbo in Birmingham’ Title;
Attendees can Sample Gumbo, Enjoy live New Orleans Jazz and Help Episcopal Place Residents

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., (April 20, 2010) – Jo Mudd knows gumbo.

She grew up eating her mother’s gumbo, and has childhood memories of the nutty smell of roux cooking in the kitchen of her Jackson, Ala., home. She remembers watching her mother make gallons and gallons of the thick, pecan-colored soup using crabs and other seafood that her grandfather, who lived near Josephine, Ala, would catch in the Gulf.

Jo has spent years perfecting her own gumbo recipe. Three years ago, she began selling her Muddbug’s Gumbo Base in local grocery stores and online, and she offers her Gulf Coast-style gumbo on her catering menu. So perhaps it was no surprise when her gumbo was judged “Best in Birmingham” among professionals competing at the 2009 Gumbo Gala cook-off & benefit.

“Gumbo is unique to the person,” Jo says, adding that her secret to great gumbo is in her hand-stirred roux, which takes her two to three hours to make, and requires “babysitting” at the flour browning stage.

Now Jo is set to defend her title at the “2010 Gumbo Gala – Presented by Ezell’s Catfish Cabin,” which will be held Saturday May 8 at Caldwell Park on Southside in Birmingham. Tickets are $10, and all proceeds will help to pay for vital support services at Episcopal Place (EP), an affordable housing community for seniors and young adults with special needs located just down from Caldwell Park. Services such as noon meals, subsidized housekeeping, health screenings, pastoral care, and planned social activities help residents to live independently in EP’s homelike environment.

“Anyone who loves gumbo, New Orleans music and just having a good time won’t want to miss this event,” says Tim Blanton, Executive Director at Episcopal Place. “Tasting the various gumbos is always interesting, and it’s for a great cause.”

All those who attend will be able to sample gumbo made by 30 professional and amateur teams, who will compete for several titles, including “Best Gumbo in Birmingham,” “Team Spirit,” and “People’s Choice” (selected by the team that solicits the most “cash” votes from the public).

The festivities will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Caldwell Park, located off Highland Avenue next to the Virginia Samford Theatre. The event, in its fifth year, provides fun for the entire family. The Legendary Pineapple Skinners band will play New Orleans jazz. A moonwalk, face painting and other children’s activities will be provided, along with hamburgers, hotdogs and beverages. Episcopal Place residents also will host a bake sale. Rob Conrad, of Magic 96.5-FM’s morning show, will emcee. Children under age 12 get in free.

The event could not be held without the generous donation from the following sponsors and team participants:

Sponsors: Ezell’s Catfish Cabin (Title Sponsor) ▪ Supreme Beverage Company ▪ Pelham Financial ▪ The Caring Foundation of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama ▪ Borland Benefield, PC ▪ Maynard Cooper & Gale, PC ▪ St. Martins-in-the-Pines ▪ The Thompson Foundation ▪ BancorpSouth ▪ B.L. Harbert  International ▪ BREC Development Co. ▪ Commercial Floor Care ▪ Estes Automotive Center ▪ Elisabeth French, Attorney ▪ Hallmark Builders ▪ Harbin Discount Pharmacy ▪ Lake View Personal Fitness ▪ Little Hardware ▪ William G. Noland /Noland Elder Law ▪ Regions Bank ▪ SPM, Inc.▪ WideNet Consulting ▪ Amedisys ▪ Fetch! PetCare ▪ CraneWorks ▪ Mac-Gray Laundry Systems ▪ MediRest ▪ McMahon & Kelly ▪ New Beacon Hospice ▪ Royal Cup Coffee ▪ Senior Resource Guide ▪ Shaw Carpet Contract Group ▪ Target Investment Group ▪ Whole Foods Market — Mountain Brook ▪ Shannon  and Tim Atchenson ▪ Tim Blanton ▪ Darlene Green ▪ Trudie and Steve Gruman ▪ Mike Harper ▪ Kris Mueller ▪ Paula Pointer ▪ Jim Pool ▪ Dan Price ▪ Ann Purdy ▪ Terry Rogers ▪ Frank Romanowicz and Bob Hill ▪ Katy Smith ▪ Shirley Steele ▪ Lou Thibodaux ▪ Carl and Marcia Wallace ▪ Robbie D. Wood, Inc. ▪ S & W Electric ▪ Medical Properties Trust

Cook-off Teams: Crazy Cajuns ▪ Ezell’s  Catfish Cabin ▪ Garage Café ▪ Hummingbird Catering ▪ Jubilee Joe’s ▪ Michael’s Steak and Seafood ▪ Muddbug’s Gourmet Foods ▪ Sodexo ▪ Ted’s Restaurant/GEMAS Alarm ▪ Up the Creek ▪ Blue Ocean Technologies ▪ Burch Corp. /Cajun Cleaver ▪ Business Electronics ▪ CareFusion ▪ Cathedral Church of the Advent ▪ Church of the Ascension ▪ 55^th Place Thrift Shop ▪ Fire Department Firehouse Steamers ▪ Danny Hayden Team ▪ Johnston, Barton, Proctor & Rose ▪ Robinson-Adams Insurance ▪ Team Ennis ▪ Tim Rogers Team ▪ Snap Fitness ▪ St. Mary’s on-the-Highlands ▪ St. Stephens Episcopal Church ▪ St. Thomas Episcopal Church ▪ Starnes & Atchison ▪ WearTek ▪ Wednesday Morning Sinners/Robbie D. Wood, Inc.

About Episcopal Place: Episcopal Place consists of 141 apartment homes in two HUD-subsidized facilities. The non-profit’s mission is to provide affordable housing and support services for seniors and disabled adults with limited income. Episcopal Place is unique when compared to other HUD facilities due to its vast array of Supportive Services, which help residents to live and age with independence and dignity.

For more information or to buy tickets for the event, please go to www.episcopalplace.org or www.gumbogala.com, call Shannon Atchenson or Kris Mueller at 205-939-0085, or e-mail kmueller@episcopalplace.org.

To read a Q&A interview with Jo Mudd, please go to www.gumbogala.com.

Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation Awards $100,000 Grant to Red Iron Housing Development Co.

Non-profit Affordable Housing Developer will use Grant to Help its Homebuyers Pay Closing Costs

BIRMINGHAM AL, (April 14, 2010) – A $100,000 Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation grant announced today will allow Red Iron Housing Development Co. to pay up to $5,000 in closing costs for buyers of its affordable homes, company officials said.

Red Iron President Michele Jenkins-Utomi announced the grant. She also said that Red Iron will use a portion of the grant to acquire houses in Birmingham neighborhoods for rehab and resale.

“One of the challenges for those seeking affordable housing, particularly during this economic downturn, is having enough money to pay closing costs, and it is often the determining factor in whether a family is able to buy a home,” Ms. Jenkins-Utomi said. “So we’re particularly grateful to the Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation for this partnership, and for the Foundation’s role in helping families and individuals who are working to realize their homeownership goals.”

Red Iron Housing Development Co.’s mission is to rehab single-family homes and multifamily housing and to build in-fill housing in select Birmingham neighborhoods. Red Iron, the non-profit affiliate of the Housing Fund of Central Alabama (the Fund), aims to be part of the solution to the City’s chronic housing conditions by providing higher quality affordable housing options for people who want to stay or return to Birmingham. The company’s work results in strong, economically diverse neighborhoods that hold their value over time.

Red Iron’s major focus is the West End Initiative. The company has purchased several homes and one lot in a one-block area for revitalization, as well as several properties nearby. Red Iron plans to expand the project by buying other lots and homes as opportunity allows. In December 2009, Red Iron completed major renovations on the second house in the project ­– a three-bedroom, two-bath home that had been in foreclosure – and the house sold earlier this month. In February, Red Iron began renovations on a third house in the project, and an open house is planned for later this month. Red Iron also has revitalized homes in the Bush Hills neighborhood.

“Red Iron has done a great job making homeownership dreams come true for our local citizens,” said Mike Donnelly, Mid-South regional president for Wachovia, a Wells Fargo Company.  “We are proud to continue our support of the work that they do to revitalize our community, making Birmingham a better place to live.”

The recent grant brings the Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation’s total investment in Red Iron’s Housing Fund-related projects to $350,000.  The Foundation has awarded four other grants since 2005: $100,000 to Red Iron to help rehab Forest Park Terrace, affordable apartments in the South Avondale neighborhood; and three grants totaling $150,000 to the Fund’s Incubator for non-profit affordable housing developers.

About the Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation: The mission of the Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation is to build strong and vibrant communities, improve the quality of life, and make a positive difference. It is a private foundation providing grants to eligible 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations to support these focus areas: education, community development, health and human services, arts and culture, the environment, and civic life.

About Red Iron: Red Iron Housing Development Co. is a non-profit affordable housing developer that rehabs or builds single-family or multifamily housing for low/moderate-income families in select Birmingham neighborhoods. The program was unveiled in 2007.

Red Iron is an affiliate of the Housing Fund of Central Alabama, a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) charitable organization that provides grants and technical assistance related to capacity building to non-profit developers statewide. The Fund is an affiliate of the Housing Enterprise of Central Alabama (HECA), an affordable housing consortium that is funded via a joint venture of five banks: Regions Bank, BBVA Compass Bank, RBC Bank, Superior Bank, and Aliant Bank. The investor banks also provide charitable dollars for the affordable housing-related activities of the Housing Fund and Red Iron Housing Development Co. Other funders include The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, the Susan Mott Webb Charitable Trust, and The Daniel Foundation of Alabama.

How we help: Providing more affordable single-family housing assists families in building personal assets to move out of poverty. Homeownership encourages stability and fosters personal pride, enabling families to develop community, improve their lifestyles, and establish roots for the benefit of themselves and future generations. Providing affordable rental housing enables families to live in a safe, decent environment that is within their financial means.

For more information, please contact Tabitha J Lacy, Communications, 205-323-9888 or tlacy@housingenterprise.com.

THE 2010 CENSUS MAY PRODUCE PRISON-BASED, RACIALLY GERRYMANDERED LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS AND REDUCE ALABAMA FEDERAL FUNDING LEVELS!

The “usual residence rule” directs the U.S. Census Bureau to count prisoners in the places where they are incarcerated instead of their “home communities.” The American Community Survey, which is used by the

U.S. Census Bureau to collect additional demographics on state populations will then exclude these same prisoners from the states’ total poverty population. The miscount and discount of prisoners under the “usual residence rule” will result in a serious miscount and discount of Alabama’s population. The miscount will inevitably produce prison-based, racially gerrymandered districts while the discount will significantly impact the amount of public funding resources based on state poverty populations. The systematic reduction of the political and economic assessed value of prisoners is reminiscent of the infamous 3/5 Compromise which designated America’s enslaved population as “3/5 of a person” in determining representation in Congress.

THE MISCOUNT: The 2010 Census population count will be used to draw congressional, state legislative and local voting districts. Alabama has 26, 789 mostly minority men and women in state and federal prisons who will be counted under the Census’ “usual residence rule” in the place where they will be incarcerated on April 1, 2010. Most prisoners are located in majority White, rural Alabama communities (see map above). Those prisoners do not exercise the power of a vote in those communities where they are incarcerated. In fact, 59.6% of Alabama state and federal prisoners are from majority Black, urban communities. The statistics reveal that white, rural counties (i.e. Elmore, Escambia Counties) tend to import people into their county populations with prisoners than they add to the state’s prison population with their own residents.  These trends are reversed for largely Black, urban counties (i.e. Jefferson, Montgomery Counties.)

TABLE  A.

Alabama Counties, 2008
County	Population	Poverty Pop. Estimates	%%	Prison Pop. (PP)	Contribution to AL PP	%%
Elmore	78,106	8,171	11.4	3,968	146	0.49
Escambia	37,490	8,490	24.1	2,280	218	0.70
Jefferson	659,503	88,637	13.8	1,815	7,926	24.8
Montgomery	224,810	37,511	17.6	2,077	2,435	9.80
Alabama	4,677,464	721,875	15.9	29,959	29,959	100%

The average Alabama prisoner is sentenced to less than 8 years in a state or federal facility and will likely return or “re-enter’ their home community where they have likely left children and other family members upon release. The result of the “usual resident rule” is that prison-based, racially gerrymandered legislative districts will ultimately be drawn which erode the political representation of low income and minority communities. The legacy of the 3/5 Compromise remains with the U.S. Census.

THE DISCOUNT: The vast majority of prisoners also come from low income communities. Most prisoners will be a part of Alabama’s poverty population upon release. The average prisoner in Alabama is sentenced to less than 8 years and will likely return to low income communities before the next Census in 2020. Hundreds of millions of federal dollars are apportioned to states to provide critical services to low income communities based on the total poverty population. However, as a rule, prisoners are not included as part of the poverty population by the United States Census Bureau. This results in a potential “discount” of over $6 million dollars in federal appropriations a year in Alabama from traditional anti-poverty funding (i.e. Community Services Block Grant, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Head Start, etc.). When this discount is multiplied over ten years, the impact to Alabama is a loss of tens of millions of dollars and an erosion of local capacity to address the demand for anti-poverty and community development services.

It is critical that everyone be counted in the right place and in the right ways by the Census. The Census has a major impact on how legislative districts are drawn, how federal and state money is allocated and how public policies will be created over the course of the next ten years. The Community Action Association of Alabama works diligently to fight for the interests of low income communities. Miscounting prisoners jeopardizes the public, private and community sectors efforts to most effectively wage a results oriented war on poverty.

Why the 2010 Census is important:

• The Census is used to draw legislative districts

• The Census is used to determine the allocation of  over $400 billion in federal grants

• The Census data is used to shape important public policies

What happens with Alabama prisoners and the U.S. Census?

A majority of Alabama prisoners are Black and are miscounted in majority White communities. The average prison sentence in Alabama is less than 8 years. Over 1/3 of the prison population will be released from prison each year before the next Census is conducted in 2020. However, by counting them under the “usual residence rule,” these men and women will be miscounted outside of their home communities producing prison-based, racially gerrymandered legislative districts.

These same Alabama prisoners come from low income communities and will likely return to those communities upon release and become a part of the local “poverty population.” Nevertheless, under the census “usual residence rule” prisoners are discounted and are not included in the states poverty population which is used to determine hundreds of millions of dollars in federal grants and appropriations. Table B. is based on the numbers of prisoners released in 2009:

TABLE B.

Alabama State Potential Loss In Poverty Funding Based on Prison Release Numbers, 2009
Program	Per Person	Federal Block Grants	ARRA	Total Loss
Community Services Block Grant	$43.08	$219,485.38	$315,389.07	$534,874.44
Head Start (Region IV)	$228.21	$1,667,220.32	$1,166,423.01	$2,833,643.32
Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWAP)	$107.03	$93,899.82	$1,235,044.90	$1,328,944.72
Energy and Low-Income Heating Assistance (LIHEAP)	$82.72	$1,027,174.39	N/A	$1,027,174.39
LIHEAP Emergency Contingency	$5.80	$72,020.96	N/A	$72,020.96
Homelessness Prevention Program	$18.46	N/A	$229,271.65	$229,271.65
Total	$485.30	$3,079,800.86	$2,946,128.62	$6,025,929.48

What is the impact on low income Alabamians?

• The communities that will be most deflated in terms of  reduced legislative power will be low income, minority Alabama communities.
• There is a potentially tremendous impact on the prison re-entry efforts that are often supported by the availability of human service resources provided by Community Action Agencies and other community development partners.
• The vast majority of the “re-entering” prison population (over 1/3 of the prison population is released annually) would likely be income eligible to receive anti-poverty program resources.  This “unfunded mandate” for services seriously impacts the capacity of local service providers.
• The Alabama prison discount will potentially result in a net loss of tens of millions of dollars to Alabama over the course of the next ten years.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Although inmates have historically been included in population counts for the area in which the prison is located, census officials have changed the federal policy governing how they are to be counted in 2010. The new policy allows states to decide whether inmates should be considered residents of the predominantly rural towns that house the prison or of their location of origin. This is a critical issue for the policy and decision makers in the state of Alabama and nationwide. Community development and anti-poverty advocates in Alabama must come together and work to ensure that all Alabamians are properly counted.

The Community Action Association of Alabama (CAAA) is a statewide organization that acts as a voice on community and economic development issues in the state of Alabama. There are 22 Community Action Agencies in the state of Alabama that comprise a human service network capable of serving all 67 counties in the state. The CAAA provides training, technical assistance, resources and advocacy for the agencies it serves. In order to reduce poverty in its community, a Community Action Agency works to better focus available local, state, private, and federal resources to assist low-income individuals and families to acquire useful skills and knowledge, gain access to new opportunities and achieve economic self-sufficiency. Community Action Agencies seek to involve the community including elected public officials, private sector representatives and especially low-income residents, in assessing local needs and attacking the causes and conditions of poverty.

CONTACT

Lukata Mjumbe, Executive Director

1731 1^st Avenue North Suite 120 Birmingham AL 35203

Toll Free: 877-320-5271

Main Line: 205-320-5271

www.caaalabama.org

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