A Hero Among Us!
If there is a local hero fighting for the most vulnerable during this Coronavirus outbreak, it might be Sarah Laurio of Dumas Wesley’s transitional housing program for homeless families. Laurio’s background in public health and epidemiology allowed her to foresee the future long before panic set in. A month ago, she had no trouble purchasing 100 rolls of toilet tissue, boxes of hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, and other essential items for 50 homeless residents housed at Dumas Wesley’s Sybil Smith Family Village. With a list of specific items and actions, Laurio was able to able to implement a plan to protect Dumas Wesley’s most vulnerable clients, staff and volunteers weeks before the Covid-19 virus became a national pandemic.
 
“Not only does Sarah have an immensely valuable academic background in public health, but she had the vision and the initiative to map out a strategy that has been instrumental for the safety and welfare of our clients and our staff,” said Kate Carver, executive director of the Dumas Wesley Community Center. “This would have been a crisis for the families dependent on Dumas Wesley, were it not for the clear-eyed vision of our Village Director.” 
A Lifeline for Seniors
The Covid-19 pandemic may have temporarily closed the Senior Activities for Independent Living (SAIL) Program, but it hasn't stopped the delivery of shelf stable meals for Dumas Wesley's at-risk and homebound seniors.

Dumas Wesley staff have also been calling senior participants on a weekly basis to prevent social isolation and to make sure they have their basic needs met.

"These calls have turned out to be an uplifting experience for our seniors as well as our team," said Brandie Hopkins, director of the SAIL Program. "We want our participants to know that their Dumas family cares about them and we are here if they need us."

Learn how you can support the SAIL program here .
Supporting Homeless Families
In spite of the Covid-19 pandemic, community support remains strong for families residing at Dumas Wesley Community Center's Transitional Housing Program, the Sybil Smith Family Village. 

Dumas Wesley Board Member, Shilpa Burkett, and her family prepared and delivered home cooked meals for families at the Village recently. 

Another long-time supporter of the Village rallied her friends and family to donate two weeks of groceries for each family at the Village.

"It has been so awe-inspiring and humbling to see how our community has come together to help us help the people we serve," said Sarah Laurio, director of the Sybil Smith Family Village. "We are going to get through this together. Thank you."

If you would like to support families at the Sybil Smith Family Village please click here to learn more.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Earlier this week, the Joseph Project Food Pantry donated 100 boxes of non-perishable food to the Dumas Wesley Community Center. Boxes will be delivered to Dumas Wesley's at-risk seniors in the Senior Activities for Independent Living Program and 50 homeless residents at Sybil Smith Family Village.

The Joseph Project Food Pantry is a partnership between Ashland Place United Methodist Church and the Dumas Wesley Community Center. In 2019 the Joseph Project Food Pantry provided 4,310 households with supplemental food. 
Covid-19 Update for the Dumas Wesley Community Center
Make a secure online donation to help us support our participants who have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Thank you!
As part of the declared State of Emergency and an effort to slow the spread of the Coronavirus, Dumas Wesley Community Center's non-essential programs will be temporarily closed until April 6.

As we receive information from the Governor’s office related to Covid-19, we will continue to keep each of you informed via email, our social media pages and our website.

If you are in a serious food crisis, please call: United Way 2-1-1 or Feeding the Gulf Coast: 251-653-1617.

Please stay safe and healthy.
Thank You for Supporting the Dumas Wesley Community Center!
126 Mobile Street
Mobile, Alabama 36607
Phone: 251.479.0649