Help 2 Others Foundation · 2025 Impact Report
Keeping the Water Flowing for Our Neighbors
For more than 22 years, we have stood in the gap for seniors and vulnerable residents across Central Alabama, ensuring no one has to choose between water and other basic needs. This is where your support went in 2025.
Reporting Period • March to December 2025
A message from our Executive Director
"This past year stretched us, shaped us, and ultimately strengthened the heart of the H2O Foundation. For the first time, we met the people we serve face to face and walked through their stories with them. Because of you, those stories are not the exception. They are the impact."
Executive Director, Help 2 Others (H2O) Foundation
By the numbers.
Every figure on this page reflects work delivered between March 1 and December 31, 2025.
Applications received
955
Requests for help that reached H2O during the reporting period.
Pre-qualified applicants
574
Applications that cleared initial screening and moved to review.
Households served
337
Neighbors who kept the water on through H2O's direct assistance.
Water and sewer bill assistance
$94,171
Direct payments to utilities to keep service active or restore it.
Plumbing repairs
$4,625
Up to $1,000 per household for urgent repairs that protect health.
Average benefit per household
$296
A small gift goes a long way.
Tracked outcomes
Disconnections prevented
Water and sewer service maintained
Service restored after a shutoff
Outcome tracking began after program launch. Of the 337 households served, 279 were tracked through the new outcome reporting system.
Who We Served & What We Achieved.
The data below highlights the households H2O served and the outcomes made possible through community support.
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Age 55 and over The core population H2O is built to serve 51%
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Living with a disability Including residents on Social Security disability 57%
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Female head of household Grandmothers, widows, single residents 68%
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Black or African American Reflective of the populations we serve 80%
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At or below 75% federal poverty level Households on the tightest fixed incomes 87%
60% renters and 37% homeowners. Both groups served equally. Source: H2O Participant Demographics report, drawn from 502 enrolled participants across 324 households, Water and Sewer Assistance program, January to December 2025. Households may meet more than one criterion.
22 years of impact
A Mission Begins
One Person’s Compassion Sparks a Community Movement
Melvin Staples, a Birmingham Water Works superintendent, witnessed firsthand the hardship vulnerable residents faced when they lost access to water service. Moved by compassion, he began personally paying delinquent water bills out of his own pocket to help vulnerable residents remain connected to essential water services.
Recognizing the growing community need and the lives already being impacted through individual support for vulnerable households, Birmingham Water Works General Manager Michael Vann encouraged him to formalize the initiative and establish a foundation dedicated to helping vulnerable households remain connected to essential water services across the Birmingham region.
H2O Foundation Officially Launches
Establishing a Community Resource for Water Assistance
With support from founding board member Connie Sheppard Harris, Help 2 Others Foundation receives 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and officially begins operations in partnership with Birmingham Water Works. H2O is founded on the belief that access to safe water is essential to public health, dignity, and household stability.
Building a Legacy of Service
Volunteer-Led Leadership Expands Community Impact
For more than 15 years, H2O has operated as a volunteer-led working board organization dedicated to serving vulnerable residents throughout Greater Birmingham. Through its partnership with the Birmingham Water Works Board and community stakeholders, the organization helps thousands of households avoid water shutoffs and maintain access to safe, reliable water service during times of financial hardship.
A New Chapter of Growth
Professionalized Operations Begin
H2O hires Jamekia Bies as the organization’s first Executive Director, marking a major milestone in organizational growth and operational capacity. Under her leadership, H2O begins strengthening infrastructure, expanding community partnerships, and positioning the organization for long-term sustainability and impact.
Celebrating 20 Years of Impact
Two Decades of Serving the Community
H2O Foundation celebrates 20 years of service to vulnerable residents and seniors across the Birmingham region. The milestone reflects two decades of compassion, partnership, and commitment to ensuring vulnerable residents maintain access to essential water services.
Expanding Utility Partnership Impact
Strengthening Community Connections
H2O continues serving the community through collaborative water utility partnerships and community engagement efforts focused on household stability, emergency assistance, and public health support for vulnerable residents.
Preparing for Transformation
Transitioning Toward Direct Client Services
H2O’s partnership with the Salvation Army concludes, allowing the organization to begin planning for a more client-centered service delivery model. During the transition period, operations continue through community partnerships while H2O prepares to launch direct service operations and strengthen organizational independence.
A New Era for H2O Foundation
Expanding Access, Visibility, and Community Impact
H2O moves into a new office space and launches face-to-face client services for the first time in organizational history. The transition allows staff to meet directly with residents, hear their stories firsthand, and provide assistance with dignity, compassion, and personalized support.
During this transformational year, Dr. Aisha Castro-Ellington becomes H2O Foundation’s second Executive Director, bringing renewed vision, strategic leadership, and a strong commitment to expanding community impact.
As the organization continues growing, H2O expands services across five counties in Alabama and serves more than 300 households through emergency utility assistance, community outreach, and water access support programs.
Looking Ahead
Continuing the Mission
For 22 years, H2O Foundation has remained committed to one simple but powerful belief: access to water changes lives. Our most vulnerable neighbors should never have to choose between water and other basic needs. As the organization looks toward the future, H2O will continue building partnerships, expanding educational initiatives, and strengthening services that help vulnerable residents and seniors remain safely connected to one of life’s most essential resources.
Financial transparency
Where your dollar goes
| Category | % | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Payroll, staff delivering services | 41.5 | $151,160 |
| Program services, direct client assistance | 27.2 | $98,796 |
| Rent and utilities | 9.7 | $35,359 |
| Marketing and outreach | 8.8 | $32,000 |
| Fundraising | 8.6 | $31,445 |
| Technology | 4.2 | $15,149 |
| Total | $363,909 |
Revenue by source
| Category | % | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Grants | 38.2 | $129,142 |
| Events, Golf Tournament | 22.5 | $76,267 |
| Customer bill contributions, Check the Box | 19.2 | $64,860 |
| Birmingham Water Works partnership | 18.5 | $62,500 |
| Individual donations | 1.7 | $5,723 |
| Total | $338,493 |
Read the full 2025 Impact Report
Every story, every number, and every partner who made this year possible, gathered in one place. Read it online or keep a copy to share.
Our 2025 partners and sponsors
ACIPCO
Arcadis
Badger Meter
B & H Contracting, Inc.
Barringer CPA
Birmingham Business Resource Center
Birmingham Chapter of Kappa
Alpha Psi
Birmingham City Council
Birmingham Engineering &
Construction
Birmingham Promise
Birmingham Water Works
Black Diamond Paving
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama
Boy Scouts, Greater Alabama Council
BWW Rate Payers
C E Associates
Consolidated Pipe & Supply
CPC Technology
Earlie Simmons
Ferguson
Fine Geddie & Associates
Fortif Law Partners
In Time Staffing
Jacobs
Jane McGriff
Jarvis Patton
Lucille Williams
Mac Underwood
Michael Johnson
Middle Alabama Area Agency on
Aging
Morgan Stanley
Morrow Water Technologies
Psalms Books Inc.
Raftelis Financial Consultants
Rast Construction
Raymond James & Associates
Regions Bank Trust
Rookis Agency
Schneider Electric
Sheppard-Harris & Associates, P.C.
Tate Contracting / Sundog Paving
Templeton & Associates
The City of Birmingham
The City of Irondale
Tren-Tay, Inc.
Truckworx Kenworth
US Pipe and Foundry Company
Willoughby Contracting
ACIPCO
Arcadis
Badger Meter
B & H Contracting, Inc.
Barringer CPA
Birmingham Business Resource Center
Birmingham Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi
Birmingham City Council
Birmingham Engineering & Construction
Birmingham Promise
Birmingham Water Works
Black Diamond Paving
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama
Boy Scouts, Greater Alabama Council
BWW Rate Payers
C E Associates
Consolidated Pipe & Supply
CPC Technology
Earlie Simmons
Ferguson
Fine Geddie & Associates
Fortif Law Partners
In Time Staffing
Jacobs
Jane McGriff
Jarvis Patton
Lucille Williams
Mac Underwood
Michael Johnson
Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging
Morgan Stanley
Morrow Water Technologies
Psalms Books Inc.
Raftelis Financial Consultants
Rast Construction
Raymond James & Associates
Regions Bank Trust
Rookis Agency
Schneider Electric
Sheppard-Harris & Associates, P.C.
Tate Contracting / Sundog Paving
Templeton & Associates
The City of Birmingham
The City of Irondale
Tren-Tay, Inc.
Truckworx Kenworth
US Pipe and Foundry Company
Willoughby Contracting
We also thank the donors whose continued support over the past 22 years has made this work possible and strengthened our impact across the community.
Looking ahead
More households, more access
Expanding access to water, sewer, and plumbing assistance so more households can stay safe, stable, and supported when challenges arise.
Stronger networks, faster help
Deepening partnerships with municipalities, community organizations, and corporate partners to connect more people to the help they need.
Closing gaps where it matters
Reaching communities with limited access to support, helping households get assistance before small issues become major crises.
Every drop counts
Your gift keeps the water on for a neighbor who has nowhere else to turn. Give once or check the box to give monthly, it takes about 10 seconds.