Dumas Wesley Board Member Spotlight - Dr. Kitsy Dixon

Dr. Kitsy Dixon, Associate Pastor of Spanish Fort United Methodist Church, recently joined Dumas Wesley's Board of Directors. She has hit the ground running! Over the past few months, Dixon has led a six-week trauma series and an "Understanding Your Purpose" class for residents at the Sybil Smith Family Village transitional housing program. Dixon and volunteers from Spanish Fort United Methodist Church (pictured above) also began a 13-week Grief Share series for senior citizens in the Senior Activities for Independent Living Program. Dixon facilitates the weekly sessions through the use of guided videos, small group discussions, and workbook participation assignments. Kid Talk is a faith-based curriculum that is designed to help children in the After School Achievement Program process the realities of grief. This kid-friendly curriculum includes: games, creative assignments, and the facilitation of small group discussions that help the children understand what grief is and how to discuss it with their parents.

"I really enjoyed the life skills classes with Dr. Dixon. I found the classes to be intriguing and very insightful - especially the trauma series. I didn't realize that I was holding on to trauma from my past. I had swept my traumatic experiences under the rug. Dr. Dixon's class helped me realize how my trauma affected me and how to overcome it. I appreciate the life skills classes that are offered at the Sybil Smith Family Village - they really help with my self-esteem and self-worth."

--- Sybil Smith Family Village resident

Walmart Community Grant Supports Low-Income Senior Citizens and Underserved Youth

Dumas Wesley Community Center is the proud recipient of three grants from the Walmart Local Community Grant Program. Grant funding will support the Senior Activities for Independent Living (SAIL) Program and the After School Achievement Program (ASAP). 

Dumas Wesley's SAIL program focuses on nutrition and healthy lifestyles for senior citizens. Participants enjoy activities that include: healthy meals, life skills classes, arts and crafts and field trips to shopping and health and wellness events. The ASAP provides quality academic and enrichment activities to close the achievement gap for low-income children. Students enjoy a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) education curriculum, academic support and life skills classes that focus on workforce and social development. 

September is National Senior Center's Month!

Since 1970, the Senior Activities for Independent Living (SAIL) Program has been providing daily enrichment activities, congregate and homebound meals, wellness screenings, and fellowship for local senior citizens living at or below the poverty level. 

This year, the Dumas Wesley Community Center has provided the following services for its at-risk senior population:

• 12,003 meals for congregate and homebound seniors citizens
• 3,984 door-to-door transportation services to doctor appointments, the grocery store, the bank and to social events
• 546 hours of daily enrichment activities
• 2,596 wellness checks performed for 46 homebound seniors

Click here to learn more about the SAIL Program.

Annual Meeting for Family Day Care Home Providers

Dumas Wesley's Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) held their Annual Meeting on Saturday, September 23rd. Dumas Wesley's Family Day Care Home providers received educational information for the coming year and enjoyed several presentations on the subject of child nutrition and dietetics.

Dumas Wesley is a sponsor of the USDA CACFP and manages 55 licensed home day care providers serving Mobile and Washington Counties. Providers are eligible to receive a monthly food reimbursement, as regulated nutritional guidelines are met. Learn more about the CACFP program here.

"This program has been beneficial to me as a provider because it holds me accountable to serving healthy and nutritious meals to my day care children. Following the child nutrition program’s guidelines makes me confident that I'm developing strong bones, protecting little hearts and keeping the children healthy. I am grateful for the Child and Adult Care Food Program." 

--- Yansean James, Family Day Care Home provider

Dumas Wesley Community Center is excited to announce a new partnership with The Factory of Gulf Shores. Youth Director, Allie Smalling, was selected as an Ambassador of the Factory's Academy Program. Ambassadors reward their students with free jump passes for good behavior, good attitudes, good grades, kindness to others and personal improvement. Participants in Dumas Wesley's After School Achievement Program and Summer Recreation Program will enjoy free field trips throughout the year, earn individual jump passes to the Factory and participate in special events sponsored by The Factory of Gulf Shores.

"Dumas Wesley Community Center does so much to invest in the lives of children in the community. We look forward to partnering with the Dumas Wesley, and are excited to begin planning special events and donation drives to support their youth programs."

--- Linley King, General Manager, The Factory Gulf Shores

Last month, Kate Carver, Executive Director of the Dumas Wesley Community Center, spoke to over 300 attendees at the United Women in Faith's Voices From the Field: Offering Shelters of Hope online event. The Dumas Wesley Community Center is a National Mission Institute of the United Women in Faith and receives grant funding to support its transitional housing programs. Thank you for inviting Dumas Wesley to participate in this important conversation.

A new resident at the Baldwin Family Village welcomed a beautiful baby boy last month. Mother and baby are doing great. Congratulations!

The Baldwin Family Village (BFV), a program of the Dumas Wesley Community Center, provides 12 months of housing, case management and wrap-around services for women and children experiencing homelessness. Since opening its doors in May, 2023, the BFV has served 45 homeless women and children. A special thank you to community partner, Housing First, for their early support and investment in the Baldwin Family Village.

For more information about Dumas Wesley's 2nd Annual Trunk-or-Treat event, email Allie Smalling, Director of Youth and Senior Services,  at asmalling@dumaswesley.org or call 251.479.0649.

Click here for more information about Dumas Wesley Community Center's Annual Toy Store.