POWERGRAMS

Home At Last Ron Buford has a special place in his heart for the Children's Aid Society (CAS). It was through this organization that he adopted his oldest daughter, Kareemah, as an infant more than 30 years ago. "As a result of that experience, I fell in love with the organization and will always be involved with it," said Buford, who served on the CAS board until his six-year term ended last December. "I tell all my friends and anybody I meet about the good works this organization does and the value it brings to the community." Buford, legislative affairs manager, Corporate Headquarters, is an ongoing adviser to CAS in policy and operations. He is often called on to share his experiences as an adoptive father with donors, nonprofit agencies and couples seeking to adopt a child. The Alabama Power Foundation gave its support to the Home at Last Capital Campaign, a fundraising effort to relocate the CAS Center for Youth and Families. Last spring, the foundation presented a $50,000 grant, which contributed to the purchase and renovation of a building in Birmingham's Southside. "The Alabama Power Foundation is proud to support organizations like the Children's Aid Society, which provides a much needed resource for families in Alabama," said John Hudson, Alabama Power Foundation president. "Through our support, CAS is able to better serve its clients and our community." Founded in 1913, CAS is a nonprofit United Way agency that locates homes for abused, abandoned or at-risk children and youths. CAS provides counseling and support services for families in need and helps children without parents find a safe haven through foster care or adoption. "By investing in our Center for Youth and Families, the Alabama Power Foundation has played a key role in transforming the lives of those served by CAS," said Gayle Watts, CAS chief executive officer. "The center has advanced our core business of caring for and protecting young people of all ages. It also provides a centrally located space for children, youth and their families to participate in counseling sessions that heal emotional wounds and promote mental health and well-being." With the growth of the organization during the past 100 years, it was long past time for CAS to find a new home. Using funds raised through the Home at Last Campaign, CAS purchased and renovated a 17,720-square-foot, two-story building with a basement. The facility is close to bus routes, interstates, homeless shelters and many of its nonprofit partners, making it more convenient for clients to take advantage of its services. "When we bought the building, it was a huge open space because it had been a furniture showroom," said Watts. "That was an advantage because it allowed us to design the center to best meet our needs." Along with conference and training rooms and 34 offices, there is a family counseling suite adjoined by a play area for children of mothers who are receiving guidance or are participating in support groups at the center. Other building highlights include a timeline gallery tracing CAS's first century of service and a family library/ resource center. Situated in the heart of the city, the center provides a safe and easily accessible place for families participating in after-hours or nighttime training and support groups. It offers meeting space to other nonprofit agencies with a similar vision of helping improve the lives of children and youths in need. Buford, who helped solicit funds from various corporations and organizations for the Home at Last Campaign, said his commitment to CAS will remain strong. "I don't know of any United Way agency that I've been involved with that I love as dearly as I do the Children's Aid Society," Buford said. "I will never turn my back on this organization. Whatever they need, whether it's tutoring kids or cleaning the restroom, I would do it. Every time I look at my oldest child and the grandkids I have as a result of her, it reminds me of how CAS changed my life." By Carla Davis pOWER OF GOOD 3 GR ANT hElps ChilDREN's AiD sOCiET Y OpEN NEW FACiliT Y Photos by wynter byrd Ron and Kareemah Buford. Kareemah Buford, Children's Aid Society CEO Watts and Ron Buford talk at the new CAS headquarters (top photo), while the Bufords reminisce with Watts, CAS Regional Coordinator Kathy Hummel, Family Counselor John Douglass III and Coordinator of Pre-adoption Services Leslie Hales (bottom photo).

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