Community Connections July 2020
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Remarks from the New Board President!
"I am excited to serve as President of the Board of Directors for the 2020-2021 term. As President, I look forward to fulfilling the duties to the best of my ability. Dumas will continue to offer the community innovative and engaging services with the support of a hard-working staff and board."
-- Terry Jones, Board President
On behalf of the Dumas Wesley Community Center, thank you to our outgoing board members and trustees: Barbara Carroll, David Dukes, Clara Ester, Jessica LIttle and Bubba O'Gwynn, III. We appreciate your time, talent and service! To view the 2020-2021 Board of Directors list click
here
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Assisting the Hungry During the Pandemic
The Joseph Project Food Pantry (TJP) is a partnership between Ashland Place United Methodist Church and the Dumas Wesley Community Center. Founded in 2011, TJP was established to assist low-income individuals and families with supplemental food for 100 households each week at the Dumas Wesley Community Center.
Due to COVID-19, TJP has had to temporarily suspend its public pantry at Dumas Wesley. However, the pandemic did not stop TJP from finding other ways to be of service and combat the hunger crisis.
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TJP is very concerned about the need of food in our community. We have found alternate ways to assist with getting food to hungry people," said Leigh Faircloth, Director of TJP. "We are doing our best to help others by financially assisting Central Presbyterian Pantry, and providing bags of food for Dumas Wesley's high-risk participants."
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, TJP has supplied 250 boxes of food for Dumas Wesley's low-income seniors and 50 boxes of food for residents at Dumas Wesley's transitional housing program. For the duration of the pandemic, TJP has generously committed to providing emergency food bags for Dumas Wesley's most vulnerable clients.
In 2019, TJP provided 4,310 households supplemental food boxes, a 15% increase in new participants since 2018. Learn more about TJP
here
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Meet Felicia and her daughter, Namyiah, recent graduates of Dumas Wesley's transitional housing program.
Prior to entering the program, Felicia and her daughter were living in their car for three months until they were given a second chance at Sybil Smith Family Village.
Felicia attended weekly life skills classes and case management meetings, became employed, rebuilt her credit and thrived while at the Village. "They provided us with safety, stability, structure and peace of mind which was even better than the physical things provided," said Felicia.
This past month Felicia and Namyiah moved into a home of their own! "Sybil Smith was a beautiful and motivational experience for me," said Felicia. "I will miss everyone and I know they will miss me! Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts."
Last week, the Village welcomed five new homeless families to the program. To make a secure online donation to assist families at Sybil Smith Family Village click
here
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Summer Fun at the Village Coming Soon
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Since 2011, Saraland United Methodist Church's United Methodist Women have hosted bake sales and church suppers to sponsor kids of Sybil Smith Family Village to attend Camp Blue Lake in Andalusia, Alabama. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, camp was cancelled this summer.
"This year had been hard on all of us, but it especially made us sad to think that the kids did not get a chance to experience summer camp because of the pandemic. So we will be bringing summer camp to the kids," said Stephanie Jacobs, member of Saraland United Methodist Women. "
Our UMW President, Betty Moye, sewed face masks to raise money for the event, and we rented an inflatable water slide and bounce house for the day. The kids will enjoy snacks and fun toys like beach balls, and water guns. We want to do something cool and fun for the kids to remember."
Thank you for bringing joy to the 28 children residing at Sybil Smith Family Village. Your generosity over the years is greatly appreciated.
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Dumas Wesley Announcements!
- In accordance with our policies, and in the interest of everyone’s safety, the Dumas Wesley Community Center will follow the Mobile County Public School System and delay the opening of our After School Achievement Program next month. Please stay tuned for more information regarding the re-opening of our After School Achievement Program.
- Dumas Wesley appreciates the tremendous support shown by our community partners and volunteers in response to the COVID-19 crisis. To see the COVID supplies wish list click here.
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Thank You for Supporting the Dumas Wesley Community Center!
126 Mobile Street
Mobile, Alabama 36607
Phone: 251.479.0649
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