COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
MAY 2022
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Baldwin County's First Transitional Housing Program to Serve Homeless Women and Children |
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The Dumas Wesley Community Center and the Baldwin Family Village Foundation are proud to announce the launch of a 13-unit facility that will provide transitional housing and support services for women and children experiencing homelessness - the Baldwin Family Village. The Baldwin Family Village will operate as a program of the Dumas Wesley Community Center and is slated to open in April, 2023.
The $700,000 property was purchased by a coalition of churches, businesses and individuals, which was spearheaded by Fairhope United Methodist Church. “The inspiration for this vision is borne out of our recognition of genuine need. As we come to understand the stories of those who suffer in our communities, we feel called to respond with compassionate action. As the challenge of homelessness is a growing concern for the residents of Baldwin County, so must be the breadth of our collaborative response,” said Dr. Darren McClellan, Senior Pastor of Fairhope United Methodist Church.
In 2021, Housing First reported 3,200 individuals were in housing crisis in Mobile and Baldwin Counties. According to Baldwin County Public School System, 300 school-age children were reported homeless on any given night in Baldwin County.
The Dumas Wesley Community Center has been operating the Sybil Smith Family Village transitional housing program in Mobile since 1999. The Sybil Smith Family Village boasts an 88% success rate among residents moving into permanent housing. This statistic is 24% higher than the national average, according to HUD. Dumas Wesley will replicate the Sybil Smith Family Village model at the Baldwin Family Village, which is expected to house approximately 100 homeless women children annually.
For more information click here.
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Food Pantry Reopens to Serve the Local Community |
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Dumas Wesley Community Center is excited to announce the reopening of The Joseph Project Food Pantry (TJP), a partnership between Ashland Place United Methodist Church and the Dumas Wesley Community Center.
TJP operates on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month from 10:00 a.m -12:00 Noon. The pantry serves 100 households on a first come, first served basis. Participants can receive supplemental food once a month.
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Wind Creek Hospitality Awards $10,000 to Dumas Wesley's Transitional Housing Program for Homeless Women and Children |
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The Dumas Wesley Community Center was recently awarded a $10,000 grant from Wind Creek Hospitality in support of its transitional housing program, the Sybil Smith Family Village. The funds will provide housing and support services for homeless women and children, including: individualized case management, life skills classes and a comprehensive support system that transforms the lives of residents from homelessness to self-sufficiency and independence. The Sybil Smith Family Village boasts an 89% success rate among its residents who have become independently housed. This statistic is 24% above the national average, according to HUD statistics.
Last month, the Sybil Smith Family Village provided 1,974 bed nights for 69 women and children experiencing homelessness. To learn more about the Sybil Smith Family Village, click here.
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Helping Hands - 2022 Day of Caring! |
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This past month, Dumas Wesley Community Center welcomed Arkema, who teamed up to volunteer for United Way of Southwest Alabama's Annual Day of Caring. Arkema employees from their Axis location completed several projects that included: organizing a clothing closet for homeless women and children; planting flower boxes for participants in the Senior Activities for Independent Living program; and landscaping the grounds.
“Consistent with Arkema’s commitment to Corporate and Social Responsibility, the Axis site is continually striving to support our local community, including annual participation in the United Way’s Day of Caring," said Rene Neron, Plant Manager, Axis location. "Volunteering of our time and talent at the Dumas Wesley Community Center allows us to give back to the community in an impactful, meaningful way, benefitting those who truly need our assistance. We remain committed to giving back to the communities in which we operate," said Neron.
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Beloved Volunteer Graduates! |
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Kids in the After School Achievement Program said goodbye to a special volunteer, Sam Graham, who recently graduated from the Alabama School of Math and Science.
Graham began volunteering last summer in a 7-week robotics workshop for youth enrolled in Dumas Wesley’s Summer Recreation Program. He was also instrumental in starting a volunteer program among his fellow ASMS students and Dumas Wesley’s After School Achievement Program.
"My time at Dumas Wesley is single-handedly the most important thing that I’ve done during my high school career," said Graham. "These kids are incredibly smart, kind, and dedicated students, and I am honored to have even been a small part of their lives. I will never forget the time I spent volunteering at Dumas Wesley and the impact the kids had on my life," said Graham.
Graham has enlisted in the United States Army and will continue his education at the University of Alabama.
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Volunteer Spotlight
Dumas Wesley’s Senior Activities for Independent Living Program welcomed Dumas Wesley Board Member, Sonsherraye Gowder, who volunteered her time delivering meals in memory of her late husband, Joseph Gerald Gowder.
Thank you for taking the time to give back and honor your husband in such a special way.
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Summer Recreation Begins June 7, 2022
Dozens of school-age children will enjoy a fun, educational summer in Dumas Wesley Community Center's Summer Recreation Program.
Children will enjoy activities related to: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM), as well as a variety of field trips, arts and crafts and recreation.
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Giving Back!
Sybil Smith Family Village received a special donation from former transitional housing graduate, Hania Ghaful. Ghaful stopped by with a donation of apartment supplies for the families in shelter. Ghaful stated that she hoped the gift would make the transition a little easier, like it did for her and her mother over a decade ago.
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Thank You for Your Support! |
Support the Dumas Wesley Community Center with a secure online donation here or by shopping on AmazonSmile here.
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