POWERGRAMS

Working at a day care for four years, Hannah Breitler felt the need for a change. Spotting an online ad for a scholarship for welding training, she decided to go for it. "I went from thinking I'd do social work or teaching to doing welding," said Breitler, a 2022 graduate of St. Clair County High School. "I'm good with my hands, and I like being creative and problem-solving. Applying for this scholarship was one of the best decisions I've made in my life." The Women's Foundation of Alabama made Breitler's training opportunity possible. For many years, the Alabama Power Foundation has awarded grants to the nonprofit, which works to improve the lives of women in the Yellowhammer State. Partnering with the Alabama Community College system, the Women's Foundation of Alabama helps provide college cohort programs through a "caretaking lens" that considers class hours; covers transportation expenses; and ensures there are child care providers and that the student has access. The program gives women access to training for high-paid, in-demand jobs around the state, which allows them to be able to financially care for themselves and sustain their families. Breitler, 20, attended welding classes at Jefferson State Community College in Pell City. The program supplied her welding helmet, jacket and fire-resistant gloves, and Breitler only needed to buy steel-toe boots. She obtained her OSHA 10 certification. "They really set you up for success," added Breitler, who graduated on Dec. 12, 2024. "Amanda Littles, my career coach at Jefferson State, helped me find a job. She educated me on things and helped me get placed in a job." Breitler works at Richfield Packing Solutions, a Pell City company that makes custom returnable shipping containers. "I enjoy it," Breitler said. "One day, I'd like to find a way to encourage other women to step out of the box and do something they don't see themselves doing. Just try it. You never know. I just jumped on the opportunity – I was like, it might not be for me, but it could be for me. Turns out this is what I want to do." "Welding is my end goal," she added. "I want to learn it as much as I can and maybe educate people in the future." Dannon Project turns tragedy into success When ShanShan Burkett walked out the doors of Julia Tutwiler Prison, she stepped into a better life, thanks to the Dannon Project and the Alabama Power Foundation. After intense counseling and training from the Dannon Project, Burkett has a new career, a new car and a home. The Dannon Project in Birmingham is a longtime grant recipient of the Alabama Power Foundation, which assists more than 1,000 nonprofits statewide. Burkett's father died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in August 2018, leaving her emotionally and financially drained. "My dad was my best friend – it was always me and my dad. I was so depressed," Burkett said. She began using and selling drugs, leading to her June 2020 arrest. "I didn't care anymore and I was doing things too big, too fast, and I got caught up." After two years of incarceration, Burkett began a five-year probation. Because her hometown of Atmore, Alabama, offered few jobs, Burkett told Alabama Corrections she wanted to go to Birmingham. That led her to the Dannon Project. Since 1999, Dannon Project founder Kerri Pruitt and her team have worked to help turn around people's lives. The Alabama Power Foundation has awarded the Dannon Project numerous grants to further its mission of restoring the lives of the formerly incarcerated. The nonprofit also has received Pathways Grants through the federal government. Burkett is among many parolees the Alabama Department of Corrections refers to the Dannon Project. "We were going inside the prisons and providing pre-release services as well as information about what we do and how we do it," Pruitt said. "They thought she would be perfect for the Dannon Project. ShanShan felt that if she returned home, she was going to stumble back into situations." Choosing a new path, for herself and others Burkett took online classes and, within three days, was certified as a flagger with OSHA 10 and 30 credentials. She earned her forklift operator certification at Ingram State Technical College in Deatsville in February 2022 and a building maintenance certification at the Dannon Project. Through the Dannon Project's work experience program, Burkett is a co-contractor with ARD Logistics Co. in Vance. She drives a box truck, cinder lift, forklift and cherry picker, pulling parts to be sent out. She works five days a week and occasional weekends. Burkett loves her work, which funds her apartment and the ability to mentor her partner's 11-year-old son, Avery. Her partner is incarcerated. "I wrote Avery every single day that I was locked up, to let him know I hadn't forgotten about him and I would be home soon," Burkett said. "When I got released, he said, 'Please don't ever leave me again.' So, I made him that promise. I do everything in my willpower to keep my promise. ... That is what keeps me going." "I used to ask God why he didn't let the drugs take me out, and I've come to realize that Avery is my reason for being here." Alabama Power Foundation rewrites futures During its 35 years of existence, the Alabama Power Foundation has worked to give thousands of Alabamians a new lease on life, renewing their hopes for the future and helping rewrite their stories. Staci Brown Brooks, president of the Alabama Power Foundation and vice president of Charitable Giving, said the foundation elevates the state by driving economic opportunity, reinforcing student achievement, making communities healthier and improving the quality of life. "Since 1989, the Alabama Power Foundation has given more than $180 million in grants that have helped us spread the power of good," Brooks said. "These gifts support workforce development, conservation education and early childhood education, along with boosting arts and culture, health and human services and community life programs statewide." Alabama Power Foundation helps change lives and communities By Donna Cope Living her best life, Hannah Breitler is thrilled to be a welder. Since 1989, the Alabama Power Foundation has given more than $180 million in grants. 2

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