By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times
A Birmingham nonprofit dedicated to helping residents maintain access to one of life’s most essential resources marked a milestone this week.
On Thursday, March 12, the Help to Others (H2O) Foundation celebrated 22 years of service to the Birmingham community with a gathering at House Eleven. The Woodlawn venue served as the backdrop for what organizers described as a “party with a purpose,” highlighting the organization’s impact while encouraging community support for its mission.
Founded more than two decades ago, the Birmingham-based nonprofit provides financial aid to residents struggling to pay water or sewer bills or who need urgent plumbing repairs. The organization focuses especially on helping seniors and people living with disabilities maintain reliable access to water in their homes.
“We are an independent nonprofit. We were born 22 years ago, and our mission is to serve individuals 55 and older and those who are disabled financially with their water bill or small plumbing repairs,” said Dr. Aisha Castro Ellington during the celebration.
The event recognized the organization’s past while highlighting its continued work across the city.
“This is a party with a purpose,” Ellington said. “We’re celebrating 22 years of being in this community, doing this work, and we’re still going. We’re still going strong.”
According to Ellington, the nonprofit has already assisted dozens of residents in the first months of 2026.
“Just as of today, we have serviced 83 individuals and almost $23,000 just from January 1 to today,” she said.
The foundation provides assistance of up to $500 toward a Central Alabama water bill and up to $1,000 for small plumbing repairs that prevent water waste and reduce future costs. Residents facing financial hardship — including seniors, individuals receiving disability benefits or families experiencing water emergencies — may qualify for help.
A Community Staple
Former executive director Jamekia Bies, who attended the anniversary celebration, reflected on the organization’s history and growth.
“H2O is founded from a great concept of making sure that seniors and those with disabilities in our community had access to water and sewer and were able to have running water in their homes,” said Bies, who was hired in 2021 to serve as the organization’s first executive director.
Bies said the nonprofit has long served as a critical resource for Birmingham residents.
“H2O has been a staple in this community, making sure that individuals have access to water and that they can ensure that their families are healthy,” she said. “We work with many partners in the community, like our hospitals to ensure that health for those individuals.”
Programs like H2O are relatively rare nationwide, she added.
“H2O is one of the staple organizations around the U.S. in terms of water assistance programs,” Bies said. “Not many organizations and not many states have that program. H2O saw that there was a need before we ever received federal funding for water assistance.”
The organization’s early recognition of the need for water access helped establish Birmingham as a leader in addressing the issue, she said.
“Just being in Birmingham, we are trendsetters,” Bies said. “We understand that there’s a need before we ever get to the need, and we’ve been able to continue providing that service for 22 years.”
During her tenure, Bies said the organization reached several milestones, including establishing a permanent headquarters.
“Our first location was located in Avondale, and our current location is located in Woodlawn,” she said. “Being able to move to Woodlawn, transition our services and provide in-house services helped ensure the welfare of individuals in our community.”
Bies stepped down from her role in October 2025 but said she continues to support the organization’s mission.
“I still participate with H2O. I still believe in the mission and the vision of H2O,” she said. “I’ll always be around to support that and especially to support Aisha. I’m so grateful for her to continue this excellent work in the community.”
The organization has operated as registered nonprofit since 2004 and continues to expand its reach.
“Continuing that service and being able to support more than 500 households per year, serving more than 1,400 individuals who need assistance — to me, that’s a staple in itself,” Bies said. “The impact doesn’t stop.”
Increasing Awareness
Ellington said increasing public awareness of the program remains a key priority. She hopes more residents will seek help if they need it and that more community members will support the organization through donations and volunteer work.
“What I’m trying to do now is let people know that we are here and we are here to help,” Ellington said. “We’re here for people to come out and volunteer and help us help our neighbors.”
Residents in need can apply online through the foundation’s website, with a typical turnaround time of two weeks for assistance requests. The organization also partners with local initiatives, including Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging and Birmingham Promise, to strengthen its community impact.
Looking ahead, the foundation is planning additional fundraising events, including a golf tournament scheduled for Sept. 3, 2026, at Brentwood Country Club.
For Ellington, the mission remains simple: ensuring no Birmingham resident has to choose between paying for water and meeting other essential needs.
“The call to action is simple,” she said. “We’re asking individuals to go on our website, check the box and donate. You can give one time or give a recurring donation, and we’re putting those dollars directly into the homes of the individuals that need it.”
Learn more about Help 2 Others (H20) Foundation at h2obham.org.
