Community Connections
April 2021
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Improving the Lives of Our Community's Most Vulnerable Citizens |
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As we navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dumas Wesley Community Center will be able to continue providing essential services to the community, thanks to a grant from The Community Foundation of South Alabama. This is the second of two grants awarded to Dumas Wesley to ensure that vital programs and services remain available for the most vulnerable members of our community.
“The Foundation quickly recognized that a second phase of the COVID-19 Response and Relief grant cycle was needed,” said Community Foundation of South Alabama President & CEO Rebecca Byrne. “We’re funding organizations, like Dumas Wesley, that are determined to provide critical assistance to ensure that our local communities can navigate these uncertain times," said Byrne.
The Community Foundation of South Alabama’s Mobile Area Disaster Relief Fund will support homeless families, disadvantaged seniors and at-risk youth.
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Last week, BancorpSouth employees celebrated United Way of Southwest Alabama's Annual Day of Caring by rolling up their sleeves and volunteering at Dumas Wesley's transitional housing program, the Sybil Smith Family Village.
"The work that Dumas Wesley does in our community is truly life-changing," said Jamie Warren, AVP/Retail Manager, BancorpSouth. "As we talked with staff members throughout the day, the passion and love they have for those in our community shined. We are grateful for the opportunity to give back in this small way through the UW Day of Caring," said Warren.
Thank you, BancorpSouth, for your commitment to our community.
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BancorpSouth employees learned first-hand how families benefited from their generosity.
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Volunteers prepped vegetable gardens for the spring and donated gardening tools for the residents to maintain the gardens. |
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Employees stocked an apartment with supplies that will welcome a new family moving into Sybil Smith Family Village. |
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Thank you BancorpSouth for helping organize and inventory supplies at the Village! |
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National Volunteer Appreciation Week - April 18-24, 2021 |
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Dr. Martin Frank, Assistant Professor of Physics at the University of South Alabama, has been a dedicated volunteer in the After School Achievement Program for several years. Dr. Frank assists with tutoring and has led workshops about math and science.
"I have been blessed with a talent for teaching science. I like to share my skills with the community beyond the University," said Frank. "My goal is to help bring the joy of learning to the kids. I believe Dumas Wesley is making a difference in the community because it is led by an effective and competent team that allows the volunteers to help the ones who need it most. The kids have taught me that creativity, interest, and the joy of learning can be found everywhere, particularly in the young kids at Dumas Wesley," said Frank.
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For seven years, Maria Sheets has been donating Easter baskets for children in the After School Achievement Program. A native of Mobile, Maria grew up with a heart for service. Her mother taught her at a very young age the importance of serving others.
"I love supporting Dumas Wesley. I begin collecting items the day after Easter. I love creating baskets that are unique and special for children of all ages," said Sheets. "Dumas Wesley does so much for the community, this is my way of giving back. Seeing the children's eyes light up when they get to pick out their basket - it makes my day!"
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Bobbi Kidd is a former resident of Dumas Wesley Community Center's Transitional Housing Program, Sybil Smith Family Village. She overcame unimaginable circumstances that led to her homelessness over 10 years ago, and today is a proud employee of the Dumas Wesley Community Center. Kidd also volunteers her time teaching "I Walked Through the Same Doors" life skills class for residents at Sybil Smith.
"I feel called to continue supporting families at Sybil Smith, the place that gave me hope and stability years ago," said Kidd. "I love sharing my testimony because I walked through the same doors! My story and their story are relatable, and if I did it, they can too. Giving back to Sybil Smith Family Village is important to me because they gave me a purpose and a plan," said Kidd.
Residents have individualized case plans and attend mandatory life skills classes twice a week. In March, community partners, Penelope House and AltaPointe Health led virtual classes on healthy relationships and mental health for Sybil Smith Family Village residents.
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Thank You for Your Support! |
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Dumas Wesley Community Center
126 Mobile Street
Mobile, Alabama 36607
251.479.0649
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