Cover image: Representatives of Adam Bishop Center
Words and Image by Jenny Lynn Davis
The Walker Area Community Foundation (WACF) hosted its Giving Tuesday Luncheon this week, honoring the six local nonprofits participating in the foundation’s Catalyst Cohort – an intensive capacity-building program supported through a grant from Fidelity Charitable.
The program provides organizations with branding and logo development, marketing support, social media strategy training, fundraising tools, storytelling guidance, and a suite of new promotional materials. Each nonprofit also premiered a video highlighting its mission and impact.
“We are here today to celebrate six incredible nonprofits,” said Pauletta Windham, WACF’s Vice President of Community Impact. “This cohort helps organizations strengthen their work so they can better serve Walker County.”
“We live in a very special place. It’s incredible to see all the amazing work being done in our community to support children, individuals, and families. And to think, these are only six of the hundreds of nonprofits working every day to strengthen the Walker Area,” said Jim Trotter, WACF’s Vice President of Development and Marketing.
Each nonprofit presented a short video followed by remarks from representatives.
The Recovery Den
The program opened with The Recovery Den, a recovery support initiative providing connection-based services, a clothing closet, hygiene resources, transportation, and the county’s first Recovery Cafe.
The organization’s video shared powerful stories of individuals overcoming addiction and finding community support. One speaker described the organization as “a safe place and a family,” adding, “They gave me my self-worth back.” Another added, “Walking through the wilderness and then turning around to lead others out, that takes bravery.”
Founder and Executive Director Paige Britton emphasized the heart behind the organization’s work and the need for local support systems: “Recovery becomes possible the moment someone is met with compassion instead of judgment, and The Recovery Den is where compassion finally has a home.”
Adam Bishop Center
Adam Bishop Center, Northwest Alabama Mental Health Center’s Walker County office for children’s services, highlighted its work with children facing emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges. Their services range from outpatient therapy to school-based counseling and intensive day treatment.
Staff described their goal as helping children now “so we don’t have to repair adults later.”
April Knight, Executive Director of Northwest Alabama Mental Health Center, shared that families often come to them in crisis, simply needing someone to believe in their child: “When families ask for help, they’re asking for someone to believe their child can be happy again. And we get to say, ‘You are not alone.’”
Walker County Arts Alliance
The Walker County Arts Alliance showcased the programs they bring to schools and the community, including visual arts, music, storytelling, and DreamFit, a dance and movement program for students with special needs.
“We’ve had students who hardly spoke before joining DreamFit. Now they’re talking with teachers and peers,” a video participant shared. “It’s more than dancing, it’s confidence, belonging, and connection.”
Arts Alliance representative Tana Collins-Allred added, “These programs aren’t extras; they are foundational. Art is not a luxury. It is an engine for education, community identity, and economic development.”
Jasper Area Family Services Center
The Jasper Area Family Services Center shared stories of supporting families through parenting education, early childhood programs, and workforce development resources.
Interim Executive Director Taylor Johnson described the center’s mission: “Most of our clients don’t believe they are capable of achieving their goals. Imagine your hardest day, now imagine facing it with no one to call. That’s why we exist.”
One participant noted the center’s impact on her family: “It helped my husband apply to trade school. It made me a better parent.”
Walker County Community Action Agency
Walker County Community Action Agency highlighted its long-standing work supporting families through utility assistance, budgeting, youth programs, and more. One grandparent raising four grandchildren shared, “Community Action has been a lifesaver for me.”
Executive Director Deidre Tatum emphasized the agency’s mission, saying, “We offer a hand up, not a handout.”
HARTT
HARTT’s presentation centered on trauma-informed care for juveniles, children in foster care, and families in crisis. Their services include counseling, diversion programs, school-based support, and family assistance. Last year alone, HARTT provided more than 6,000 hours of services to 802 individuals.
Speakers shared a powerful story about a local student whose vaping-related disciplinary issues led him to HARTT. Through counseling, he rebuilt his relationship with his father following a life-threatening accident.
“HARTT saved our relationship,” his father said. “They taught him how to talk to me—and taught me how to talk to him.”
“Breakthroughs like this don’t happen by accident; they happen because a community stands in the gap. We remind hurting kids they are not forgotten,” said HARTT co-founder Tina Aaron.
Co-founder Anthony Sellers added, “Our vision was never to help just one person, but to see that healing ripple into their families.”
“Giving Tuesday is all about supporting organizations that are close to your heart. At the Foundation, we work daily to connect generous people with causes that matter to them,” Trotter said in closing. “We hope attendees found an organization today with a mission that resonates with them, and that they consider giving their time, talent, treasure, and trust to support their work.” WL
