All Resources
Letters & Testimony
Alabama Arise, 49 partner groups urge state lawmakers to oppose federal SNAP cost shift
Congressional leaders are considering cuts to food assistance and other human services in a push to offset the cost of tax cuts for wealthy households. The amount of potential SNAP and health care cuts in the budget reconciliation bill that the U.S. House passed in May would be roughly equal to the cost of extending [...]
Blog
We’ve improved lives across Alabama!
[caption id="attachment_10337" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Alabama Arise executive director Robyn Hyden speaks in support of untaxing groceries during Arise's annual Legislative Day on March 20, 2025, in Montgomery. (Photo by Julie Bennett)[/caption] The 2025 legislative session is officially over, and it was busy and productive. Alabama Arise staff, partners and members worked hard to improve the [...]
Personal Stories
Medicaid helped save her daughter’s life. Angelica wants it to be there for other Alabamians, too
Angelica is outspoken about the misconceptions and stigmas that often surround federal programs serving Alabama families. She said that in the past, more than half of her paycheck would be spent on private insurance.
News Releases
Alabama Arise, CWA celebrate first collective bargaining agreement
[caption id="attachment_10684" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Representatives from both Alabama Arise and Alabama Arise Workers United were on hand to sign their first collective bargaining agreement at the Arise office in Montgomery on May 19, 2025. Arise executive director Robyn Hyden is joined by Communications Workers of Alabama 3908 president Luther Land at the table. Above are [...]
Blog
Grocery tax, paid leave, maternal health highlight triumphant 2025 session for Alabama Arise
Alabama Arise just wrapped up one of the most successful legislative sessions in our history this year. Life will be better for people across the state as a result – and members like you made it all possible. Arise members’ advocacy and support pushed legislators to enact numerous laws to reduce hunger and promote healthier [...]
Blog
Join us this summer for listening sessions!
Listening is both a value and a process. It is foundational to Alabama Arise’s approach to shaping and advancing policies that matter most to those marginalized by poverty. Arise depends on what we hear to help guide our work toward a better Alabama, and we want to hear from you this summer. Watch your email [...]
Blog
A new issue selection process, still listening
From our founding, Alabama Arise has been strongly committed to member leadership. Directly impacted communities, our member groups and individuals guide and decide our policy agenda. Over the years, the way we select this agenda has changed as our work has evolved and as times change. Now we are proposing another change. The Arise board [...]
Blog
Federal funding cuts would increase hunger and hardship across Alabama
Congress is advancing a cruel proposal to take away food assistance, health coverage and other vital services from millions of Americans who struggle to afford basic needs. Why? To give huge tax cuts to the wealthiest people in the country. The bill’s proposed $1.1 trillion of cuts to food assistance and health care over the [...]
Blog
Arise staff union, leadership celebrate ratification of new contract
Alabama Arise Workers United (AAWU), Arise’s staff union represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), unanimously ratified its first contract in May. This was an exciting development after nearly a year of bargaining negotiations between CWA and Arise leadership. The process began after Arise leadership voluntarily recognized AAWU in 2024. [caption id="attachment_10684" align="aligncenter" width="640"] [...]
Blog
Meet Matt Okarmus, our comms multitasker
Since 2018, Matt Okarmus has served as a communications associate at Alabama Arise. Like many other staff, Matt did not begin his career in advocacy. After graduating from Auburn University with a journalism degree, he spent eight years in the newspaper industry, working at the Montgomery Advertiser and the Opelika-Auburn News. Eventually, though, Matt felt [...]