Rooted Tuscaloosa

05/04/2026

People love to call mothers of children with disabilities “strong” but very few ask what that strength is costing them.

Caregivers of children with special needs experience significantly higher rates of anxiety, depression, and burnout than the average parent.

Research is clear: caregiver mental health directly impacts the wellbeing of the child and entire family yet most systems focus only on treating the child while ignoring the person holding everything together.

This Mother’s Day, during Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to do something tangible about that.

The Rooted Family Support Fund can be used for support not only for the child, but for the caregiver too including therapy, respite, and other family-centered care.

Because whole family support matters.

Applications open through May 20.
Apply at rootedtuscaloosa.com/family-support-fund

05/02/2026

Most families raising children with additional needs are carrying more than anyone sees, and paying for more than anyone realizes.

So we did something about it.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and we wanted to launch our Rooted Family Support Fund. This offers practical financial support for the therapies, equipment, programs, and care that families are often left to cover alone.

Because support should be more than awareness. It should be tangible.

Huge thanks to the Community Foundation of West Alabama for funding this pilot and believing in the families we serve. Our hope is to grow this program and help families across our community and beyond 🌱.

Applications are open now through May 20. rootedtuscaloosa.com/family-support-fund

04/30/2026

We have one more therapeutic drumming session open to the public ages 14-24 available on Friday, May 8 from 3:30-4:30 at New Heights Community Center gym! This class is free and open for all abilities and backgrounds.

Join us as we explore themes such as emotional regulation, leadership, and resilience 🥁🛢️🪘

🔗 Register at Rootedtuscaloosa.com/classes

04/30/2026

Be sure to register for our upcoming therapeutic drumming session for ages 14-24 🥁. All abilities and backgrounds are welcome on May 8 from 3:30-4:30 at New Heights Community Center gym.

🔗 rootedtuscaloosa.com/classes

Rhythm, movement, and connection. 🥁

Our Therapeutic Drumming class helps teens and young adults explore tools for emotional regulation through music and rhythm. Open to all backgrounds and abilities.

Thanks to our partnership with Easter Seals, these classes are free.
Pre-registration is required (limited to 15 participants).

Fridays | 3:30–4:30 PM
April 10 and May 8

🔗 Register: rootedtuscaloosa.com/classes

04/15/2026

Last weekend at Rooted was a blast and we are doing it all again this Saturday for a FREE event + open to the public 🌱

We’re partnering with the University of Alabama Department of Human Nutrition for a special class 👇🏽

9:30–10:30 (ages 3–7)
Kids will have our regular Rooted class while parents join a conversation: Small Steps to Bigger Bites: Helping Kids Eat More Fruits and Veggies

10:30–11:30 (ages 8+) Kids will participate in: Sip Smart: Water is the Start! (Parents will not have a separate session this hour)

At the Downtown Tuscaloosa YMCA. Free + open to the public. Registration required

Register here: https://bit.ly/rootedinnourishment

04/10/2026

TOMORROW! Please join us!

Rooted in Nourishment is happening at the Downtown Tuscaloosa YMCA with hands-on nutrition + movement for kids—and space for parents too.

✨ Ages 3–7 (9:30–10:30)
Power Up with Fruits

✨ Ages 8+ (10:30–11:30)
Snack Smart: Fuel Your Fun

Parents: during the 10:30 hour, you’ll have your own conversation around “fruits and veggies in disguise”

It’s FREE. Just register to save your spot (and you’ll be entered to win an Amazon gift card )
🔗 rootedtuscaloosa.com/events/rooted-in-nourishment

04/08/2026

Lace up those sneakers! 👟

Whether you’re in T-Town or the Magic City, we can’t wait to see the community come together to support, celebrate, and advocate for our friends and family on the spectrum. 🧩💙

Check out the schedule below to find a walk near you:

📍 Tuscaloosa
University of Alabama Quad
Sunday, 4/12 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

📍 Huntsville
Jaycees Building
Saturday, 4/18 | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

📍 Birmingham
Inverness Elementary School
Saturday, 4/25 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

📍 Montgomery
Bell Road YMCA
Saturday, 4/25 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

04/08/2026

THIS Saturday at Rooted 🤍

We’re partnering with the University of Alabama Department of Human Nutrition for a special and FREE class.

First half: interactive nutrition for kids + a real, practical conversation for parents

Second half: our regular Rooted movement and connection

At the Downtown Tuscaloosa YMCA
FREE + open to the public

Registration required + a chance to win an Amazon giftcard 👇🏽
https://www.rootedtuscaloosa.com/events/rooted-in-nourishment

9:30–10:30 (ages 3–7)
10:30–11:30 (ages 8+)

All abilities welcome 🤍

We’re partnering with the University of Alabama Department of Human Nutrition for two special Saturdays at Rooted coming up on April 11 and 18 The first half of class will focus on food and nutrition with interactive learning for kids and a separate conversation for parents, helping support the wh...

04/02/2026

We’re not here to raise awareness. We’re here to raise the standard. Friends, neighbors, schools, churches, policy makers - it takes all of us 🤍💙