Local nonprofits ask Covington County Commission for FY2027 appropriations

Several local nonprofit leaders addressed the Covington County Commission on July 28 to request funding for services serving county residents.

Alison Jackson-Wood asked the commission for $12,500 for Bethesda House, a residential program for women and children escaping human trafficking or domestic violence. "We have two bedrooms — four beds for women and two beds for children — and we provide emergency services and long-term placements when needed," Jackson-Wood said, adding the program opened in 2019 and uses partner programs to transition families into long-term care. She told commissioners long-term housing does not accommodate families, so staff coordinate with other programs when a family needs placement.

Leaders from other county nonprofits described needs and service volumes. Lesa Rathel, executive at the Covington Child Advocacy Center, said the center has completed 117 forensic interviews since October, provides an average of about 600 counseling sessions a year and has provided 15 pediatric sexual-assault medical exams so far this year; primary funding sources include federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants and state funds through the Alabama Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers. "We are fortunate to have local medical exams so children do not have to travel to Birmingham," Rathel said.

Mellisa King reported that the Full Tummy Project served more than 600 students in seven elementary schools last year and that groceries to support the weekend meal bags cost about $140,000. Sara Mixon of the Andalusia Public Library said the library circulated 27,872 items and offered more than 200 programs in the past year. Sonja Godwin of the City of Andalusia Adult Activity Center said the center served 15,798 meals last year and is asking for increased meal funding.

Andrea Miller, director of The Gardens of Andalusia, asked the commission to consider opioid-settlement funds to help purchase a vehicle and cover operational costs for a transitional home aimed at women returning from residential recovery programs. Chamber of Commerce leaders also requested continued appropriation support to sustain membership services and community programming.

Commissioners did not take immediate appropriation votes in this session; commissioners heard the requests as part of the scheduled appropriation comment period and will consider them during budget deliberations for FY2027.