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The students involved with Equal Access Birmingham (EAB) are truly men and women of action doing important work in our community.  A medical student-run initiative in the Office of Undergraduate Medical Education of the University of Alabama School of Medicine, EAB provides students with an opportunity to engage in hands-on experiences with the underserved and vulnerable populations of Birmingham—experiences that can have a lasting impact.

We are proud to support the expansion of EAB with our 2013 grant of $5,000.  The grant is designed to provide additional primary medical services, patient health education, and social services at EAB’s student-run and student-staffed free clinic, located within the Church of the Reconciler (112 14^th Street North) in Downtown Birmingham.

Together we are helping people lead healthy lives by improving access to care for vulnerable populations.

This clinic offers a tremendous opportunity for students to not only reinforce their skills and knowledge, but also learn about all of the administrative work of a clinic and most importantly about the longitudinal care of patients.  The clinic also exposes students to clinical and socioeconomic factors that contribute to health disparities, which, in turn, accomplishes the larger goal of training future doctors to provide quality care for all individuals and continue to work in underserved communities into their careers.

One of the four primary services offered by EAB is free community health screenings.  The next screening will be this Saturday, May 25 from 1 to 3:30 at the Church of the Reconciler, and will include blood pressure readings and blood glucose checks.  In addition, physical therapy students will be on hand to offer foot screenings for diabetics and posture assessments.

The Community Foundation grant was made possible through Community Funds and additional donors through the Giving Together program.  Learn more about this strategy to help people lead healthy lives or add your support to this effort by contacting Erin Stephenson.  Contact Kathryn Corey to learn more about our Giving Together program.

For more news and information about the Community Foundation, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. 

The images and stories coming out of the Oklahoma City area are heartbreaking, reminding us of our own experience with deadly tornadoes in 1998 and 2011.  We’re also reminded of our unique connection to the Oklahoma City Community Foundation.

When an F5 tornado hit western Jefferson County in 1998, we learned from our sister community foundation how to serve long-term needs following any disaster—a strategy they developed in the wake of the federal building bombing in 1995, when it became apparent that tremendous unmet needs existed in Oklahoma City in the months following that tragedy.

“The Oklahoma City Community Foundation taught us so much about how to serve long-term needs, and those valuable lessons helped us frame our community response not only after the tornado in 1998, but also when Hurricane Katrina evacuees relocated to Birmingham and then again in the aftermath of the 2011 tornadoes.  We know from experience what a fabulous community foundation they have,” said Community Foundation president Kate Nielsen.

“What we found out is that after the first responders leave, you enter into the “unmet needs” phase of the recovery–everything from home repair to job placement to mental health.  This is where a community foundation has a profound impact, and that’s what the Oklahoma City Community Foundation will be doing through their Oklahoma City Tornado Recovery Fund.  This is the real added value of a community foundation.”

We know you want to help.  Here’s how:

Oklahoma City Tornado Recovery Fund and Community Emergency Fund

To assist with intermediate and long-term recovery efforts, you can make a gift to the Oklahoma City Tornado Recovery Fund, which will direct 100 percent of gifts to assist with the needs of those impacted by the storms.

Gifts to the Community Emergency Fund will be directed to nonprofit organizations who are providing immediate, direct assistance to those impacted by the May 20th tornado.

Contributions to the Oklahoma City Tornado Recovery Fund or Community Emergency Fund may be sent to the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1146, Oklahoma City, OK, 73101-1146. To make an online gift visit www.occf.org/tornadorecoveryfund.

Contact Kathryn Corey to find out how you can support the Oklahoma City Tornado Recovery Fund through your Donor Advised Fund.

For more news and information about the Community Foundation, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Ask Ama Shambulia what she most enjoys about her “Mama Ama’s Marinated ‘Greens’ Salad” (see below) and she’ll tell you it’s the recipe’s use of fresh, seasonal produce. “This salad is ALIVE with flavor,” she says enthusiastically.  But to get it right, she adds, it has to be made with love.  And Shambulia means that quite literally.  The recipe’s final ingredient is–you guessed it–love.

That word seems to frame everything Shambulia does, including her work as director of WE (West End) Community Gardens.  At the moment, the gardens (located at the corner of McMillon Ave. and 12th St. SW) are bursting with all sorts of gorgeous produce, including vibrant, oh-so-delicious red and golden chard–the base components of the salad.

“Thanks to the Community Foundation, we are able to reach over 700 people each year in healthy living programs and gardening activities. We are also able to provide fresh, natural foods at an affordable price here in our community.  The Foundation’s partnership and leadership throughout Birmingham are so valuable,” says Shambulia.

We are proud to have supported the expansion of WE Community Gardens, a program of Urban Ministry, with our 2011 grant of $50,000.  The grant, spread over two years, is designed to help in the development of a curb market and community center for long-term sustainability of this important effort. Together we are helping people lead healthy lives by making it easier to gain access to healthy food.

Visit their curb market on Wednesday mornings from 10am to 1pm at Princeton Hospital (located in the Professional Building Atrium). WE produce is also sold at Pepper Place Market on Saturdays.  You can join WE visitors and volunteers by calling 205-781-0517.

The Community Foundation grant was made possible through Community Funds and additional donors through the Giving Together program.  Learn more about this strategy to help people lead healthy lives or add your support to this effort by contacting Erin Stephenson.  Contact Kathryn Corey to learn more about our Giving Together program.

Mama Ama’s Marinated “Greens” Salad

Feel free to mix and match the greens based on what’s in season.  Ama likes to serve this alongside black-eyed peas.

4 bunches fresh greens (chard, collard, kale, mustard), washed and finely sliced

1 rib celery, finely sliced

1/2  red onion or 1 shallot, sliced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 fresh thyme sprig, leaves chopped

Chopped cayenne pepper, to taste

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup Bragg Liquid Aminos*

1/4 cup olive oil

Love

1. Combine greens and next 5 ingredients in a salad bowl.

2. Whisk together the lemon juice, Bragg Liquid Aminos, and olive oil.  Pour over greens mixture; toss to combine.  Serve immediately.

*Bragg Liquid Aminos is available at your local health food store.  Substitute 1/4 cup soy sauce and 1/4 water for Bragg Liquid Aminos.

For more news and information about the Community Foundation, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. 

Under a gorgeous blue sky, Birmingham Mayor William Bell welcomed Victor Mendez of the Federal Highway Administration to today’s historic ground breaking of the first 29 miles of the Red Rock Ridge and Valley Trail system—a project made possible by a $10 million matching grant from Department of Transportation funding through the TIGER IV program.

The grant also proves the value of the great public-private partnership that provided the essential local match, which came to just over $5 million.  Thanks to our Community Funds, contributed by generous people in the past, and support from donors today through their Advised Funds, the Community Foundation was able to commit $387,100.

The ceremony took place at Center Street, part of the City’s Civil Rights Heritage Trail.  “The historical significance of Center Street is important to our City and we are honored to note this history, especially as we commemorate 50 years forward. This is our story and we want to tell it in a way that honors and preserves it.  This grant will touch many projects throughout the City and really impact the neighborhoods and communities,” said Mayor William Bell.

Shovel in hand, Community Foundation Vice President of Donor Relations Kathryn Corey stood alongside Freshwater Land Trust President Wendy Jackson during the ceremony. “Mayor Bell really tipped his hat to Wendy, who championed this plan,” said Corey.

Mr. Mendez was quick to praise the community’s collaborative efforts, pointing out that Birmingham was one of only 218 cities to receive funds out of more than 4,000 requests. “He absolutely speaks our language and was so complimentary of this community coming together to demonstrate the power of collective giving,” Corey said with a smile.

Community Foundation Director of Initiatives Gus Heard-Hughes highlighted that input from 3,000 community members helped shape this plan. “It’s really a great example of a participatory process, and it’s exciting to see the trails, sidewalks and bike lanes that communities asked for become a reality.”

“When we look at the Results we all are working toward — from vibrant communities to healthy lives — we see potential for true transformation with this investment,” said Kate Nielsen, Community Foundation president. “We also see the power of partnerships with other funders, including the Mike and Gillian Goodrich Foundation and the Susan Mott Webb Charitable Trust, UAB and UAB Medicine, Freshwater Land Trust, Jefferson County Department of Health, City of Birmingham, ALDOT, Alabama Power and CSX all helping us do more together than any of us can do alone.”

We look forward to learning more about which great projects will get under way soon and to continuing our work with so many great partners. Contact Kathryn Corey if you want to make a grant from your Advised Fund to support this or other projects to transform our community.

Three conference calls during May are designed to assist nonprofit organizations that want to learn more about how to receive a grant from the Community Foundation.  In the next round of grants from our Community Funds, proposals should address strategies to make greater Birmingham a place where:

• Communities are sustainable, livable and vibrant.
• Individuals and families are economically secure.

If your organization has never applied for a grant from the Community Foundation before, you must participate in one of the following calls. Click on the link that follows the date and time that is most convenient for you and you will be able sign up on line:

• Thursday, May 2, 1 to 2 p.m. http://050213confcall.eventbrite.com
• Wednesday, May 22, 1 to 2 p.m. http://052213confcall.eventbrite.com
• NEW: Thursday, May 30, 9  to 10 a.m. http://053013confcall.eventbrite.com

 If you have questions about whether you should participate in a conference call or whether your organization is eligible to apply for a grant, please contact James McCrary.

Jack the dog welcomes Scott Jones to the Community Foundation

With the traditional Passing of the Corgi, we welcome Scott Jones as the new Director of Marketing and Communications for the Community Foundation. Jack, our office dog, sensed immediately that Scott was someone who loves animals as well as our community.

Scott already is known among our Community Foundation partners, especially those involved with food access strategies, thanks to his work with the Birmingham Originals in support of REV Birmingham’s Urban Food Project and the United Way of Central Alabama’s Healthy Communities.   He also volunteers with the creative writing program at Desert Island Supply Co. in Woodlawn, at Grace’s Kitchen and with the Alabama Department of Education. Find out more about his professional background in his official bio and watch for his updates through our blog, Facebook and Twitter.

As for Jack, he heads home this afternoon to enjoy retirement with Emily Rushing. We wish them both well and know they will still be part of our work to drive positive change across our community.

Downtown Birmingham will come to life on Saturday night for Paint The Town Red, the annual fundraiser featuring digital artists, animators, and filmmakers. The artists’ works are projected on walls and windows along 19th Street South and Powell Avenue lighting up the city center.

Bill FitzGibbons image captures the swirl of traffic through another light-art installation

One of the participants is international light artist Bill FitzGibbons, who is also in town to begin work on a new, permanent light-art sculpture at the 18th Street railroad underpass (linking First Avenue North with the East Gate of Railroad Park).  When complete, this piece of public light-art will activate an underused space and encourage pedestrian traffic in this vital connection between two growing areas of downtown Birmingham.

Bill’s light-art sculpture, along with the development of a master plan for potential lighting projects across Birmingham’s City Center, was made possible by donors who supported the Community Catalyst Funds — funds that are making possible another investment in projects to transform our region.

We can’t wait to see Bill’s temporary installation on Saturday night, and look forward to flipping the switch on his permanent work later this summer.  We’re certain this vibrant addition to Birmingham will encourage even more support for future lighting projects.

The Remy Fund for Pets and Animal Services has been awarding grants for two years — a total of $40,000 to support  nonprofit organizations with rescue, service, neutering, therapy, education and other programs involving traditional companion animals.  For the 2013 grant cycle coming up, three new members are joining the committee of volunteers.

Sandy Logan, Nancy Hughes and Cameron Vowell join Brenda Bell Guercio, Beth A. Franklin, Debra J. Linton, James “Murphy” Lynch and Beverly S. Virciglio on the committee, with Jackson as ex-officio and non-voting member. (2011-12 committee members pictured at right).

Once the applications are submitted on-line by the deadline of April 30, 2013, committee members will review proposals, visit facilities and meet with organization leaders to evaluate finalists. Working with them is Community Foundation Program Officer Kim Rogers.

To find out more about whether your organization is eligible, review the grant application guidelines: Remy Fund Guidelines 2013.  Or contact Kim Rogers if you have questions.

The unexpected death of Bill Shanks in 2011 left a big hole in the lives of his family, friends and the community.  Thanks to the Shanks Fund for Theatre and Performing Arts, established by his wife Jean as a Field of Interest Fund at the Community Foundation, at least a part of that hole is filled year after year through grants to support the types of organizations he cared about.

“Bill had so much energy and he loved getting involved,” said Jean, recalling the ways Bill assisted many local arts organizations through his expertise as a lawyer as well as direct charitable contributions. “He always had a love of the theater and he knew how much difference even a small donation made. We wanted to continue that in his memory.”

Involved early on with Birmingham Festival Theatre, Bill also supported Terrific New Theatre, where he became president of the board in 2005. At the time of his death, he was the incoming president for Red Mountain Theatre Company as well as a regular patron of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Opera Birmingham, Virginia Samford Theatre  and Theatre Downtown.

The Shanks Fund honors Bill’s commitment to small, volunteer-led or emerging community theater and arts organizations, as well those with close ties to the community. Established with an initial gift from a private family foundation, this Field of Interest Fund already is making grants through the Community Foundation as it continues to grow with gifts from the family and others.

To find out how you can leave a legacy for yourself or a loved one through the Community Foundation, contact Anne Bethea or Erin Stephenson.

18th Street underpass viewed from corner of Railroad Park

Can you hear the whir of great minds buzzing with new ideas at Innovation Depot? Or workers cleaning up and clearing away the years at the Lyric Theatre? Or the quiet pad of feet walking and jogging around Railroad Park?

Tonight, the newest addition to the Parkside District will fill the night with the sounds of bats, balls and cheering crowds and the lights of Barons baseball back in Birmingham.

The opening night of the home season is something we’ve all been waiting for, but there’s still more to come.  Before the summer is over, our own light-art project for the 18th Street underpass should be complete, linking Parkside to the Innovation, Theatre and Business districts north of the railroad tracks.

Business, city government and philanthropy have all been part of so much growth in the City Center, from Railroad Park to the Lyric and now the connections in between. We look forward to seeing what REV Birmingham can do in creating a master plan for lighting the City Center and bringing together even more partners to bring the plan to life.

In the meantime, we’ll see you at Railroad Park, at the ballpark, at the Lyric and everywhere in between.