Community Activities in Alabama
Alabama Recruitment and Community Activities 2026
Harvest Success: Community Gardens Flourish
The harvest is in! These photos celebrate the success of our Individuals Who Grew Their Own Gardens initiative. Participants shared that gardening increased their physical activity, reduced stress, and provided their families with fresh, nutrient-rich vegetables throughout the growing season. This initiative not only promoted healthier lifestyles but also fostered a greater appreciation for growing and enjoying homegrown produce.
Summer Health Sessions Promote Wellness and Healthy Habits
Healthy snacks were provided throughout our summer health sessions, helping to create a welcoming and engaging environment for all participants. Students enjoyed nutritious refreshments while taking part in a variety of health-focused activities that encouraged wellness, physical activity, and learning. These sessions offered meaningful opportunities to develop healthy habits, build confidence, and connect with peers in a fun and supportive setting.
Mrs. Ethel Recognized for Outstanding Community Service
Mrs. Ethel was honored by J. E. Hobbs School for her outstanding contributions to the community. She was recognized for her dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to serving others through impactful community initiatives. This well-deserved recognition reflects the appreciation and respect of the students, faculty, staff, and community members whose lives have been positively influenced by her efforts. Congratulations to Ethel for his achievement!
Wellness Clinic
The Alabama Core assisted in blood pressure screenings, lipid panels, blood sugar screenings, and biometrics at a wellness clinic. Community members voiced their gratitude for the services provided.
Food Distribution
The Alabama Core distributed fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats to community members in Wilcox County.
Family Summit
The Alabama Core participated in a Family Summit at the Camden School of Art and Technology in Wilcox County. They provided health literature to families.
Mobile Market
In Selma, Dallas County, the Alabama Core celebrated the arrival of Mobile Market. Mobile Market brings fresh produce, everyday staples, cooking demonstrations, and health literature directly into the community. This helps expand access to nutritious food.
Family Vegetable Garden
The Alabama Core partnered with Tuskegee University to build long-term self-sufficiency by empowering families to grow their own vegetables. Planters, soil, seedlings, vegetables, and education were provided to community members.
Health Fair in Wilcox County
The Alabama Core attended the Wilcox County Health Fair, in which 15 organizations came together to provide health information and resources to the community. Attendees received blood pressure screenings, educational materials on hydration and stress management, and wellness items such as stress balls and water bottles.
Bioethics Forum Participation
The Alabama Core team participated in a Bioethics Forum featuring roundtable discussions and a community-academic pitch session. Centered on the theme “Beyond the Science: Co-Creating Fundable Research with Communities for Lasting Impact,” the forum explored how community voices and lived experiences shape ethical, impactful, and sustainable research initiatives.
Heart Truth Program
The Alabama Core team attended The Heart Truth Program and provided health education, blood pressure screenings, and a “Make & Take” activity featuring containers filled with healthy snacks. A powerful community testimony highlighted the program’s impact—after discovering elevated blood pressure at the event, one participant sought immediate medical care and received necessary treatment. The keynote was delivered by Timiya S. Nolan, highlighting community engagement in health research. A session led by Mona Fouad focused on co-creation principles and power-sharing, emphasizing strategies to align research with community priorities while maintaining scientific rigor.
Community Advisory Board (CAB) Quarterly Meeting
The quarterly CAB meeting was held with both virtual and in-person participation options. The session included updates on the RURAL Study, along with valuable community feedback on participant engagement strategies and barriers related to Exam 2, the Databook, and Sleep & Stress recruitment efforts.
WSFA Day of Action
On January 16th, the Alabama Core attended the WSFA Day of Action. Over 350 people from across the Dallas County community were provided resources from over 20 community resources. The organizer of the event plans to create a resource guide to better connect residents to services year-round.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or comments, please call us at 1-888-RURALST (1- 888-787-2578) or email us at RURALstudy@uab.edu