FROM STAFF REPORTS

BIRMINGHAM – AmFirst has recently announced its plans to contribute to four new charitable organizations across Central Alabama. The charities will be beneficiaries of the credit union’s Community First Initiative.

AmFirst plans to support Garrett’s Place, The WellHouse, Better Basics and United Way Priority Veteran in 2025. These efforts continue the 11-year-old tradition of resourcing local change agents with Community First funding.

Garrett’s Place serves foster children and the families who care for them by providing for basic needs, connection and support. Garrett’s Place also provides suitcases, clothes, books, toys, school supplies and other items to children entering the foster system.

The WellHouse seeks to rescue and provide opportunities for restoration to victims of human trafficking who have been sexually exploited. The WellHouse also educates the public on the dangers of human trafficking.

Better Basics seeks to end illiteracy among children in Central Alabama. The organization delivers reading and math instruction, as well as resources to empower the educationally vulnerable.

United Way Priority Veteran helps veterans and their families find housing. So far, the organization has helped more than 4,000 veterans who are homeless or at immediate risk of becoming homeless.

Kevin Morris, AmFirst’s president and CEO, explained the process behind selecting the charities.

“These groups represent a diverse collection of missions, each critical in their own way to our neighbors here in Central Alabama,” Morris said. “Our entire staff nominates and votes on these recipients each year; we take a lot of joy in the process and satisfaction in knowing these gifts will effect real change.”

Since 2014, AmFirst has donated more than $1.2 million to local nonprofits and organizations through the Community First Initiative.

“Looking at the cross-section of people who will be served by Community First this year—children in the foster system, trafficking survivors, young readers and veterans—I think it’s remarkable how big this impact has grown,” Morris said. “I am proud to lead an institution that makes those members of our community a priority.”

AmFirst is a federally chartered community credit union with 21 branches in 13 counties throughout Alabama. For more information on AmFirst, visit Amfirst.org.