Anniversary of
Sybil H. Smith Family Village
Words from Ann Bedsole, Founder of
the Sybil H. Smith Family Village
"We all hope the Village continues its mission as a place where homeless women can find refuge and learn the skills necessary to build better lives for themselves and their children. When women leave the Village, they leave with jobs and the ability to become responsible and productive citizens. I remember meeting a former resident, Betty. She can knock your socks off. She told me about the year and a half she spent at the Village and how much it meant to her. She had never had anything of her own and seldom had a roof over her head. Betty took advantage of every opportunity at the Village. Betty had the will to accomplish this turnaround, but acknowledges that without the Village it would not have happened. Homelessness is such a huge problem in this country, it will take many answers to fix it. The Sybil Smith Family Village is just one answer. If you put your faith in this program, you will help not only countless women and children, but also the entire community. Mobile will benefit from the conversion of people who constantly need community resources into productive citizens, paying their own way and contributing to the common good."
 -- Ann Bedsole, Founder of Sybil H. Smith Family Village
Highlights Over the Past 20 Years
Founded in 1999
The Sybil H. Smith Family Village was established as the result of an extensive study conducted in the mid-1990's by the Homeless Coalition of the Gulf Coast, the United Way of Southwest Alabama, the University of Alabama and Ann Bedsole and the Sybil Smith Foundation. Findings from this study indicated a crucial, immediate need for transitional housing for homeless families. Accordingly, SSFV was established in 1999 to fill the gap in transitional housing for the area’s homeless.
1999
Life skills classes have always been an integral component to the success of our residents at Sybil H. Smith Family Village. In July 1999, the first life skills classes offered to residents were: anxiety resolution, job readiness, taking care of your home and a visions support group. (L-R: former resident in 1999; Cecilia McCain, Job Readiness instructor)
2004
Since opening in 1999, Sybil Smith Family Village served 133 women and 200 children. Volunteers have always been essential to the
day-to-day activities at Sybil Smith, especially for the children. Over the years, volunteers have provided special outings for the children like BayBears games, sporting events and birthday parties.

Elijah was seven years old when his family moved into Sybil Smith in 2004. "I remember always having something to do. Volunteers would take us on field trips and it was nice to be able to just be a kid," said Elijah. (Elijah pictured in red at far right on an outing to a BayBears game.)
2009
Throughout the years, there have been countless success stories of Sybil Smith graduates who made incredible transformations in their lives. Betty Fain is one of those remarkable stories. While at Sybil Smith, Betty entered into a Alabama Industrial Development Training Maritime Welding Program, and was hired as a Class B Welder at Austal where she flourished! Betty overcame addiction and homelessness, and became the face of Austal's new nationwide recruitment campaign. Today, Betty is a homeowner (pictured above) and continues to succeed at Austal. She is also an advocate for the homeless as a board member of Housing First, Inc. Read Betty's remarkable story here .
2014
In 2014, Sybil H. Smith Family Village provided 11,000 bed nights for 40 homeless families.

“If you've never been in a position to need help, then this part is really hard to explain, but once you enter a program like this and really get into the swing of things with the structure and the foundation, there is just this overwhelming sense of gratitude that sweeps over you when you realize the staff is here to help you. I am so thankful to everyone at the Village. Not once did anyone treat me like a homeless person.”
-- Sharon former program participant in 2014
2019
This year, Sybil H. Smith Family Village provided 11,654 bed nights, 593 individual case management sessions and 24 life skills classes for 75 individuals (22 families) who are working on overcoming obstacles to self-sufficiency. To date, Sybil H. Smith Family Village has served more than 2,000 individuals experiencing homelessness!

Kimberly and her family began their new journey at Sybil Smith in March 2019. Kimberly shared what Sybil Smith means to her family: "A new beginning. To start a new journey towards self-sufficiency. A place to let go of past failures and disappointments. A safe haven that holds wonderful possibilities. A building block towards a future, a dream, to become the best me. I'm grateful beyond measure to have the opportunity to make changes through personal growth. Sybil Smith is a blessing for me and my family." Learn more here .
July 9, Sybil H. Smith Family Village Day!
On July 9, 2019, Dumas Wesley Community Center held its Annual Banquet in celebration of its volunteers, donors and the 20th Anniversary of Sybil H. Smith Family Village. Mayor Sandy Stimpson presented Ann Bedsole, founder of Sybil H. Smith Family Village, with a proclamation naming July 9th the Sybil H. Smith Family Village Day. (L-R: Ann Bedsole, founder of Sybil H. Smith Family Village; Mayor Sandy Stimpson)
How Can I Get Involved?
  • Volunteer! Learn more here.
  • Donate! View our Amazon Wish List here or our Apartment Wish List here.
  • Give! Learn how you can change lives by donating to the Sybil H. Smith Family Village here.
  • In 2017, the Dumas Wesley Community Center established an Endowment Fund to sustain the long-term viability of the Village with income earned annually from interest on the Fund corpus. This income provides support for the core programs and operations of the Village. To learn how you can support the endowment please contact Kate Carver, Executive Director, at: kcarver@dumaswesley.org or 251.479.0649.
126 Mobile Street
Mobile, Alabama 36607
Phone: 251.479.0649