PROJECT ID

Project ID is an outreach service of Highlands United Methodist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. This twice-weekly ministry assists at least 30 men, women, and children a week in need of state identification. Qualified clients are guided through the process, assisted in filling out appropriate forms and are provided financial assistance for obtaining their birth certificate and state issued identification or driver’s license.

Many of Project ID’s clients are homeless men, women, and children who must prove their identity to stay in shelters. Many of Project ID’s clients are young people who must have positive ID to be a part of drug treatment programs. Many of Project ID’s clients are men and women who have just been released from prison and need assistance in finding the means to reestablish them in society. Many of Project ID’s clients wish to work and must have a state-issued identification card to do so. Project ID, in providing birth certificated enables to children to start school and low-income families to obtain affordable housing.

Through a relationship with the State Department of Public Safety, the Jefferson County License Office as well as the State and County Department of Health, the volunteers of Project ID are able to assist people who need their birth certificate, social security cards, and other forms of identification, so that they may receive a state ID card or driver’s license.

Project ID has in a very short period of time developed a reputation for giving people one of the basic tools they need to connect to the larger community, to seek gainful employment, to further their education and to become more productive members of our society.

A team of 15 dedicated volunteers work to raise funds for Project ID, assists clients in understanding the process of receiving an ID and fills out the necessary paper work. Project ID assists 1,600 people each year in obtaining ID’s with a budget of $45,000.00.

Clients of the Project ID program are referred by the Salvation Army, United Way Agencies, communities of faith, area shelters, local schools, and substance abuse programs.