The Caring Foundation Awards Grant to Underserved Youth and Senior Citizens

The Dumas Wesley Community Center was recently awarded a grant from The Caring Foundation of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama to support the Center’s After School Achievement Program (ASAP) and Senior Activities for Independent Living (SAIL) program.

"To improve the health, wellness and education of Alabamians, is the primary focus of The Caring Foundation of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama," said Tim King, Manager of The Caring Foundation and Corporate Giving. "Dumas Wesley’s SAIL and After School Achievement Programs involve both students and senior groups and provide meaningful and needed resources to impact them in a positive manner. We are proud to support Dumas Wesley these many years, because they are tuned in to their community’s needs and seek to be a positive source for good in the Mobile area," said King.

Dumas Wesley's partnership with The Caring Foundation allows the Center to provide educational opportunities for underserved youth and low-income seniors in the community. Dumas Wesley's After School Achievement Program offers a variety of academic and character-enhancing activities including: free tutoring, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) workshops, career exploration, life skills classes and special youth-empowered events. The SAIL program provides daily enrichment activities, life skills classes, congregate and homebound meals and fellowship for seniors 60 and older.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. 

Community Partners Give Back!

Residents at Sybil Smith Family Village were treated to a "Moms Day Out" event last month. Sponsored by the Junior League of Mobile, moms were able to relax and take the morning off while their children enjoyed a summer bash complete with a kids zone, a petting zoo, catered lunch and snow cones. The Junior League of Mobile will sponsor an event each quarter for the Sybil Smith Family Village.

"Junior League of Mobile is excited to explore new ways to strengthen our partnership with Dumas Wesley and the Sybil Smith Family Village. It's our goal to continue to work together to identify gaps in community programming so our members can help meet the most pressing needs of our partners - and get hands-on volunteer time for our members!"

--- Shellie Teague, Junior League of Mobile President

“I just wanted to say thank you! The food last night turned my family’s attitude into one of gratefulness and true joy! It was sooooo good! Most times, we have a tuna sandwich for dinner. Tonight’s dinner was fresh, healthy and hit the spot. We felt spoiled rotten!”

--- Baldwin Family Village resident

Since opening in April, 2023, the Baldwin Family Village has provided 124 case management sessions and 607 bednights for 20 individual experiencing homelessness. To donate a meal or to learn more about the Baldwin Family Village click here. 

Summer Enrichment for Neighborhood Children

Dumas Wesley Community Center's Summer Recreation Program is in full swing! Participants are enjoying a variety of educational field trips, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) workshops, swimming and special events. Later this month, children will attend Camp Blue Lake located in Andalusia, Alabama. The summer program will conclude with an End of Summer Bash on July 28, 2023.

Special thanks to UMS-Wright Preparatory School and the Mobile County Public School System for providing transportation assistance for the Summer Rec program. To learn more, click here.

Annual Golf Tournament Raises $18,000 for Dumas Wesley!

The Dumas Wesley Community Center is the proud beneficiary of the Mobile Bar Young Lawyers 2023 Golf Tournament, which was held on May 5th, 2023. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit underserved youth, low-income seniors and homeless women and children.

“The Young Lawyers Section of the Mobile Bar Association is proud to support the Dumas Wesley Community Center with our annual golf tournament," said John H. Leech, Jr., Attorney for Long and Long Attorneys. "We hope that our contribution will help Dumas Wesley continue their excellent service and much-needed work in our community," said Leech.

Dumas Wesley Community Center is the proud recipient of a grant from Cadence Bank. Funding will support facility upgrades at the Sybil Smith Family Village transitional housing for women and children experiencing homelessness.

Cadence Bank and its employees have been long-time partners and volunteers at the Center. Cadence employees have led life skills classes, taught financial literacy workshops and recently invited Dumas Wesley's youth for a behind-the-scenes tour of their bank, the teller line and the bank vault (as pictured below).

Last month, SAIL participants enjoyed a Father's Day Celebration hosted by Tara Jones, co-owner of Renew PT and Wellness. Participants enjoyed lunch, ice cream floats and special gifts.

"I'm a father of two girls. The party was fun. I really enjoyed spending time with all the guys eating, enjoying music and receiving my gift. Thank you for recognizing me for Father's Day." -

-- Norman Nettles, SAIL participant

Middle school students from St. Ignatius Catholic School held their Summer Walk the Walk program for a day of service at Dumas Wesley. Students led activities in the SAIL Program and completed a variety of organizational tasks around campus.

"Volunteering at Dumas Wesley was truly a blessing. Our students found it rewarding adding a little shine around campus and loving on the seniors in the SAIL Program."

--- Kathleen Willis, St. Ignatius Catholic School volunteer

The Dumas Wesley Community Center's Sybil Smith Family Village is the proud recipient of a grant from the Alabama Civil Justice Foundation. This grant will support homeless women and children as they become self-sufficient and independently housed. The Sybil Smith Family Village enjoys an average success rate of 88% among residents who entered the program and remained permanently housed for two years.

Learn more about the Sybil Smith Family Village here.