Thirty-Five Years of Work

Greater Birmingham Ministries began in 1969 when three different denominations each launched new ministry efforts to respond more effectively to people in need and to seek to a faithful community of justice and peace in Birmingham.  These three efforts, begun by the United Methodist Church, the Episcopal Church and the United Presbyterian Church (now Presbyterian Church USA), merged in 1971 and set the pattern for GBM's work as shared, ecumenical ministry.  Today GBM is sponsored by 12 Christian denominations, Reformed and Conservative Judaism, and the Unitarian Church, making GBM now an interfaith as well as ecumenical organization.  

GBM is an expression of the commitment to social justice and to mercy and compassion for all which is found in the core beliefs of these faith communities.  The faith, prayers and generosity of these groups, along with the support of many other groups, congregations and individuals, make GBM's work possible. GBM's initial focus on responding to poverty and building faithful community relationships for all people continues to guide its work today.

During its 35-year history, volunteers and staff working through GBM have assisted thousands of area residents and have worked closely with low-income individuals and neighborhoods.  Many times that has meant meeting immediate needs, such as food, clothing or assisting families with expenses for rent, power, gas, water, medicines, and transportation.

GBM has also worked consistently on the hard, slow work of systems change, seeking to make the social networks of the community open and fair to all, especially to those with little economic and social power.  At the heart of this commitment is a belief in human dignity which connects all of us to each other, regardless of our relative economic or social position.

Through the years, the three basic areas of ministry at GBM have also helped organize several additional groups and organizations that continue to serve low-income and other vulnerable people in our community.

1969--The Crisis Center: emergency support to people in crisis

1970--Access Unlimited: advocating for those with physical disabilities

1976--Meals on Wheels: bringing food to the homebound elderly (now carried on by Jefferson County government)

1981--NSI (Neighborhood Services, Inc.): brought enormous housing assistance to low-income neighborhoods in its 23-year history.

1983--The Firehouse Shelter: GBM was one of the community partners that brought the Firehouse Shelter into existence, providing emergency food and shelter to homeless men

1984--Greater Birmingham Unemployed Committee (G-BUC): creative partnership with unemployed workers 

1985--PATH (Partnership Assistance To the Homeless): supplying services and shelter to homeless women and children. Now merged with another service agency to form Pathways.

1986--The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Unity Breakfast   GBM is one of the ongoing sponsors and coordinators for the community-wide Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Unity Breakfast each year on Dr. King's birthday.

1987--Direct Services Network (DSN)  GBM was the founder and remains one of the sponsors of meetings among direct service providers and neighborhood representatives

1988--Alabama Arise: GBM was one of the original sponsors in the creation of Arise, a state-wide network of over 100 congregations, civic and community groups providing leadership in Alabama legislative priorities for low-income people statewide.

1990--BEAT (Bethel-Ensley Action Task): GBM was one of the founding sponsors of BEAT, a neighborhood-church partnership rebuilding homes and community in the SandyVista neighborhood of Ensley

1993--Metro Area Justice Interfaith Committee: bringing religious leaders together from across the area to build relationships and to coordinate shared action for creating a healthier and more just society

1994--ECIF (Ensley Community Issues Forum): A partnership with BEAT seeking to revitalize the local economy of historic Ensley

1996--The Interfaith Forum: An ongoing partnership with the Metro Area Justice Interfaith Committee bringing together representatives from numerous faith communities to learn more about each other, especially in light of our shared concern for a just community

1997--Citizens for Transit: working with transit passengers and other concerned people to create adequate and accessible public transit for all residents of Jefferson County.

1997--Women As Strength:  An organizing project with women affected by welfare reform, public housing policy and other issues.  Women gather to share their strength, pain and stories while working together to confront their struggles to provide for their families.

1998--Alabama Organizing Project (AOP):  GBM is one of six groups working in a state-wide project of community organizing and popular education to increase the capacity of low-income people and neighborhoods to develop self-directed, sustainable communities

1999--Metropolitan Gardens People's Movement.   In 1999 GBM became a supporter of the Metropolitan Gardens People's Movement, a group of residents trying to bring about a better housing situation for all residents of Metropolitan Gardens Public Housing Community in light of a recent HOPE VI grant. 

2003--Constitutional Reform Education Campaign:  Works with communities throughout Alabama to push for a new state constitution.  The Mary Reynolds Babcock and Ford Foundations fund this effort.

2004--The Birmingham Center for Affordable Housing (BCAH):   Addresses the affordable housing crisis in Birmingham by creating a "one-stop" center for potential homeowners and renters to connect to builders, lenders and service agencies.  BCAH currently manages the Birmingham Homeownership Center. 

Work in many of these areas continues to go on at GBM, and there is always new work underway...

2304 12th Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35234

(205) 326-6821  Fax: (205) 252-8458