Cawaco RC&D and the Shelby County Legislative Delegation gathered at Calera City Hall to celebrate the awarding of $144,950 in grant funding to 14 communities and organizations across Shelby County.
The grant day highlighted the diverse community projects that strengthen community resources and advance the development of our region’s people and places.
2026 Projects
Impact Grants
BackPack Buddies
Vineyard Family Services of Central Alabama, Inc. hosts BackPack Budies, the only weekend feeding program of its kind in Shelby County. The program feeds over 1,400 public school students weekly and fills a critical gap to ensure every child, regardless of circumstance, has the nourishment, stability, and hope needed to learn, grow, and thrive. In 2025, 97% of students served were promoted to the next grade, and 100% of school counselors identified BPB as essential.
Calera Rear Façade Completion & Activation – Phase II
Calera Main Street began the next phase of the “Calera Courtyard.” They added accessible walkways, pavers, and concrete to rear façades of downtown merchants. For the first time, residents and guests will be able to clearly see and access businesses from the Courtyard side, thanks to improved signage, outdoor seating, and a welcoming pedestrian connection.
Community Sign
Dunnavant Fire District installed a community sign to announce upcoming community events, training opportunities for volunteers, and help to keep citizens weather aware during dangerous weather patterns. Dunnavant doesn’t have a weather siren, so this project will allow us to keep our community informed and weather aware beforehand.
Police K9 project
The project the training of K-9 Pete, enhancing the Helena Police Department’s ability to detect and deter criminal activity. Pete received specialized training in both human tracking and narcotics detection. He is fully trained and prepared to assist in locating missing or endangered individuals, providing an added layer of readiness for the community. Pete has been deployed multiple times on narcotics-related operations, directly contributing to the seizure and removal of illegal drugs from the streets of Helena. The project has also supported neighboring municipalities within Shelby County through mutual aid assistance.
Shoal Creek Park Directional Trail Signs
Shoal Creek Park Foundation installed 67 directional signs throughout its nine miles of walking trails. The signs mark seven trails and their loop links as well as park boundaries, an essential aspect to the guidance, safety, and enhancement of visitor experience. An estimated 15,000 people visit the park annually, as it is a free and main source of outdoor recreation for the residents of and visitors to Montevallo.
Education Grants
Safe at Home
The Safe At Home Project aimed to make the homes of students in the Shelby County HIPPY (Home Instructions For Parents of Preschool Youngsters) Program safer. The grant has enabled us to provide essential safety equipment to 50 families, including fire extinguishers and fire blankets. Additionally, each family received flashlights, thermometers, and smoke detectors, which are crucial tools for ensuring a safe home environment. Families participated in a two-hour meeting focused on fire prevention tips and safety measures, presented by a local Shelby County firefighter.
2026 Coosa River Swim Guide
Coosa Riverkeeper’s 2026 Coosa River Swim Guide program offers easily accessible water quality data to inform the public of elevated bacteria levels near them and how they can protect themselves. The data is displayed on Coosa Riverkeeper’s website, email blasts, text alerts, map chat live reels, and social media posts. Swim Guide posts reached over 300,000 people already. This program also provides the Riverkeeper Patrol program with useful water quality data used to inform efforts to address excess amounts of E. coli, consistent dissolved oxygen issues, areas with high amounts of litter, and other issues that identified through data tracking.
2026 Resting Place at Pelham Building Renovation
The Resting Place at Pelham is a newly established nonprofit committed to meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of homeless and low-income women in Pelham. They provide immediate relief—food, hygiene, clothing—while equipping women with tools for long-term self-sufficiency through support in job placement, ID recovery, and education. To launch this mission, RPP renovated a donated building into a safe, functional center for basic services and support. The project supported construction of two rooms, laying the foundation for opening the facility. RPP estimates that approximately 100 women will benefit from this facility during its first year of operation.
Empowering Future Professionals: Equipping Students for Success in the Modern Workforce
Calera High School supported career readiness and entrepreneurship by creating a podcast room where students learn real-world media production and communication skills. Students developed podcast topics, recorded, edited, and presented episodes using the equipment. The school also offered a wardrobe closet for students who are actively training for interviews, workplace professionalism, and employment. The closet allows students to select appropriate professional attire so they can present themselves confidently during interviews and career events. Both spaces have given students hands-on experiences that build confidence, professionalism, creativity, and career-ready skills that will serve them in the workforce and future business ventures.
Enhancing Cahaba River Environmental Data Collection and Science Education
Cahaba River Coalition hosted integrated data and science capabilities with meaningful youth and community engagement through its CLEAN (Conservation Leadership through Educational Activities in Nature) program. The program got students of all ages interacting with the Cahaba, learning about its species, and conducting hands-on water quality testing, many for the first time. The program leads field trips to the Cahaba River where students learn the science of how ecosystems work, test water quality, and capture, observe, and release aquatic species.
Mobile Pop-Up Market
Ady’s BiG Army launched a Mobile Pop-Up Market Trailer to expand its mission, transforming a retail space into a catalyst for community engagement and vocational growth. They empower adults with disabilities to create and sell handcrafted products – this trailer allows them to bring the product directly to the public, providing essential workplace training at community events and festivals. Through direct customer interaction, adults with disabilities build confidence, refine communication skills, and earn income, fostering a sense of dignity and independence.
Montevallo CO.STARTERS Program
Montevallo Main Street’s CO.STARTERS Program walks entrepreneurs through business fundamentals in 10 weeks, all within a local context. The project covered the CO.STARTERS franchise fee and a facilitator stipend. Montevallo Main Street plans to welcome up to 10 participants in the fall 2026 program. Eight graduates completed the CO.STARTERS program in 2025, nine in 2024, four in 2023, and five in the inaugural year of 2022. Most of the graduates from previous years remain in business today in Shelby County.
TIS Accessible Playground Addition
Alabaster City Schools added a Celebration Spinner, or an inclusive merry-go-round, to the playground at Thompson Intermediate School. The addition features a zero-entry design that allows children using mobility devices to roll or step directly onto the platform and accommodates children who may need seated or supported play—promoting cooperative play and inclusion by enabling children of all abilities to spin and play together.
Video Board
Calera High School installed a new video board in the gym to enhance the game-day experience and create authentic, hands-on learning opportunities for students. Through involvement with the career tech classes, students gained real-world experience in areas such as digital media production, technology operations, and event management, directly connecting classroom learning to practical application. The board has increased school spirit, improved communication during events, and provided a more engaging environment for families and community members who attend games. Overall, this project has strengthened community pride, supported student career readiness, and elevated the quality of athletic programs.
Building Partnerships for Lasting Change
The success of these community projects reflects the power of collaboration between local organizations, government partners, and dedicated volunteers. The projects demonstrate how strategic investments in community infrastructure create lasting positive change across the county.
The impact of these projects would not be possible without the continued partnership and support of the Shelby County Legislative Delegation. Special thanks to Sen. Lance Bell, Sen. April Weaver, Sen. Dan Roberts, Sen. J.T. Waggoner, Rep. Leigh Hulsey, Rep. Corley Ellis, Rep. Arnold Mooney, Rep. Susan DuBose, Rep. Russell Bedsole, Rep. Kenneth Paschal, and Rep. Jim Carns for their commitment to supporting locally driven solutions to strengthen Shelby County.
“For me as a senator, [being here is] one of the most fulfilling things that I do,” said Sen. April Weaver. “When we work with RC&D, we’re able to come here to see your tax dollars coming back to you and working for the people of our communities. So I just want to thank each and every one of you for the great work that you are doing in our communities and for all that you are doing for the people that we all serve.”
Rep. Corley Ellis echoed her sentiment, noting, “In Montgomery, the money just goes out into the world somewhere. We don’t get to see it. So to come here and to be able to see where the rubber meets the road, so to speak, and where it’s actually being used and doing good, it’s such a benefit to us and it kind of brings life into us when we’re in Montgomery doing what we do.”
Rep. Kenneth Paschal expressed his gratitude for each of the grantees: “Shelby County is stronger because of people like you who pour into our communities and give back every day. This is the least we can do—to come together and celebrate the difference you make. Thank you for your service, your sacrifice and your commitment to making Shelby County a better place.”
Rep. Russell Bedsole noted the impact these projects are making: “It just gets a little overwhelming because you think about the things we heard today. It overwhelms you in terms of what makes Shelby County special. I can’t be more thankful to be a part of this community. Thank you to each of you who have taken the time to invest your hard-earned efforts and talents to make our community better.”
Rep. Arnold Mooney closed out the celebration by showing his appreciation for the grantees: “I think the thing that I’m impressed with is the passion you have for the people you serve. One of the things that I realize is we don’t get to see everything that goes on at the local level. We hear about it. But when we get to actually see you, we’re kind of seeing a little bit through your eyes. The emotions you have, the joy, tears, whatever it is. It’s special. It’s very special.”
Cawaco RC&D is proud to support educational and community development projects like these throughout Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby, and Walker Counties. These grants represent our ongoing commitment to fostering vibrant communities that achieve balance between economic, human and natural resource needs.
