Christian Coalition of Alabama and the Za'Darius Smith Foundation Announce Partnership for Greenville

From the Christian Coalition of Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Christian Coalition of Alabama (CCA) and the Za'Darius Smith Foundation today announced a partnership for the betterment of Greenville and Butler County. The first project under the partnership will expand access to prenatal care for expectant mothers in the community.

The partnership pairs a statewide organization with a hometown one. CCA works with churches, elected officials and community leaders across Alabama. The Foundation was founded by Greenville native and Atlanta Falcons defensive end Za'Darius Smith, who was raised in Greenville by a single mother and built the foundation around the mental health and wellbeing of at-risk youth.

Prenatal care is where the two organizations decided to begin. Za'Darius Smith's work has always been about kids, and prenatal care is where helping a child begins. A baby carried to term with good care starts life with advantages no program can hand back later. A mother's care and a child's life are the same work, and in a community like Greenville the practical obstacle is rarely willingness — it is distance, cost, and whether a mother can reach care early enough for it to matter. The two organizations will announce the program's services, providers and locations in the coming weeks.

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward." — Psalm 127:3

 A HOMETOWN PARTNERSHIP

Smith's work in Greenville predates his NFL career's later chapters, and his mother ran the family's giveaways in the community for years. She passed away during the 2025 season. The foundation's focus on single-parent households traces directly to the household Smith grew up in.

Pastor Frankie J. Splunge of Harrison Street Missionary Baptist Church in Greenville — the church Smith's mother attended — said of him:

"We are grateful to God for bringing Za'Darius through every chapter of his journey. We are grateful for the gifts He has given him, but even more, we are grateful for the man behind those gifts. And what Za'Darius means to Greenville can't be measured in sacks, tackles, or Pro Bowl selections."

"We have said for years that you cannot claim to defend life and then walk away from the mother carrying it," said Dr. Randy Brinson, President and Chairman of the Christian Coalition of Alabama. "This partnership is that conviction put to work in one town. Za'Darius did not have to come back to Greenville. He did, and he brought something with him. We are glad to stand beside him."

"Two Alabama boys who got to play a game for a living owe something back to the places that raised them," said Wallace Gilberry, a member of the CCA board of directors and a former NFL defensive end. "Za'Darius understands that better than most. Greenville is not a line on his résumé. It is home, and this is what taking care of home looks like."

"Growing up in rural Alabama, it gives you the opportunity to appreciate the small things, and being able to bring people together to tackle a problem bigger than us is all the motivation I need!" said Za'Darius Smith, Atlanta Falcons defensive end and founder of the Za'Darius Smith Foundation.

ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN COALITION OF ALABAMA

The Christian Coalition of Alabama is a statewide nonprofit dedicated to advancing policies grounded in faith, family, and individual freedom. CCA works with elected officials, churches, and community leaders across Alabama on public policy, civic engagement, and education initiatives. For more information, visit ccalabama.org.