The Power of a Smile!

The Dumas Wesley Community Center is proud to spotlight a meaningful community partnership between West Mobile Dental Care and the Sybil Smith Family Village. This collaboration recently marked a significant milestone for Wanda, a Village resident, who received dental implants—a life-changing step toward restoring her smile and self-confidence.

Wanda shared, "Before the Village, so many things had spiraled out of my control. I had lost hope and I didn't know what I was going to do to keep my family together," said Wanda. "As a mother with two children on the autism spectrum, I had been prioritizing my children's needs and neglecting my own. Years earlier, I had suffered significant dental damage in a car accident, but financial hardship and the demands of caring for my family kept me from getting the treatment I needed. My teeth became a major source of embarrassment and even held me back professionally. Because of the stability the Village offers, I was able to prioritize my dental needs and now I can't stop smiling! I am so grateful for the care I received from the wonderful staff at West Mobile Dental Care. I have started to feel like the old me—the capable, strong, intelligent person I was before. I am grateful to have a place for my family to start putting things back together."

Employee Spotlight: Jennifer Winstead

For the past three years, Jennifer Winstead has served as the Development Officer at the Dumas Wesley Community Center. Jennifer has been instrumental in securing local and national grants that have fueled the Center’s growth and expanded its impact throughout the community. Through thoughtful stewardship and relationship-building, Jennifer has helped create a stronger foundation for the Center’s future.

"Focused on providing holistic solutions that address the root causes of homelessness and poverty, I find it incredibly inspiring to collaborate with individuals, community groups, corporations, and foundations to develop innovative ways to serve our community's most vulnerable members," said Jennifer. "I often tell people that one of Dumas Wesley Community Center's greatest strengths is the committed, visionary, and generous partners who walk alongside us in this work. Their support makes all the difference, transforming the lives of so many individuals and families."

In her spare time Jennifer enjoys embarking on grand adventures with her 11-year-old son, determined never to miss an opportunity she may only get to do once. 

Celebrating Three Years of Hope, Healing, and Community at the Baldwin Family Village

"Since opening our doors at the Baldwin Family Village, it has been truly amazing to watch the growth and transformation of the women in our transitional housing program," said Hilary Williams, Director of the Baldwin Family Village. "Our residents have become productive citizens who give back not only to Baldwin Family Village, but to Baldwin County as a whole. Our graduates are now serving our community as educators, social service professionals, receptionists, caregivers, and more. Three years later, the results speak for themselves, as illustrated in the impact report below."

Huntington Bank Community Foundation Invests in Housing Stability for Women and Children Experiencing Homelessness

Dumas Wesley Community Center's transitional housing program, the Sybil Smith Family Village, recently received a grant from the Huntington Bank Community Foundation.

"At Huntington, we are proud to support the Dumas Wesley Community Center and their vital work in Mobile," said Huntington Bank Alabama Regional President, David Turner. "This donation will help provide new mattresses for women and children experiencing homelessness, ensuring greater comfort, dignity, and stability during a time of need. We are committed to strengthening the communities we serve and are honored to partner with organizations like Dumas Wesley that care for our most vulnerable neighbors. I am especially proud of the difference Kate Carver and her team make each day, supporting individuals and families across our community. Together, we can make a meaningful difference."

Summer Program Underway for Local School-Age Children

Dumas Wesley's Summer Recreation Program is in full swing for dozens of school-age children. Participants have enjoyed a wide variety of field trips and enrichment activities, including: yoga, drumming, intergenerational activities, The Cookery Project, Bay Minette Pool, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Planet Gymnastics, Mobile Ballet, Mobile Museum of Art, Dreamland Skate Center, Pelican’s Nest Science Lab, the Gulf Coast Zoo, and an exciting tour with Mobile Fire-Rescue. Next month, the summer program will conclude with a trip to Camp Blue Lake in Andalusia, Alabama.

Cameron, a summer recreation participant, shared, "My sister and I are having the best summer ever at Dumas Wesley! Last year we just stayed home with our big brother, but this is way more fun. My favorite things so far are swimming, the Mobile Ballet, and playing gym games. But guess what? We aren't just playing and going on cool field trips. We are learning how to be super good people too! Every single day, we can get stickers for being kind, using nice manners, and listening. If you get a special glitter sticker, you get to spin the big prize wheel! It teaches me how to be my very best self and shows me that my actions really matter. I can't wait for more adventures!"

We are also pleased to share that Dumas Wesley received a grant from MFUGE Camps in support of our Summer Recreation Program. In addition to this funding, we are delighted to welcome MFUGE campers who are volunteering all summer long. We extend a special thank you to our dedicated QuadW summer staff for their hard work and commitment to creating a safe, enriching, and memorable summer for our participants.

June Highlights

Last month, residents and graduates of the Baldwin Family Village gathered for the 2nd Annual BFV Reunion at Baytreat, graciously hosted by Trinity Presbyterian Church. With 30 residents in attendance, the reunion provided a wonderful opportunity for residents to reconnect while enjoying the beauty of Mobile Bay.

"It was so special to host the families for a wonderful afternoon at Baytreat,” said Pastor Matt McCollum of Trinity Presbyterian Church. “Children swam and kayaked in the bay, a birthday was celebrated, and everyone shared food, laughter, and fun. It was a day filled with joy and cherished moments for moms and children alike."

Dumas Wesley Community Center extends its heartfelt thanks to The Joseph Project Food Pantry and the Ashland Place United Methodist Church Missions Team for their recent support of our youth and seniors. Last month, they donated $1,000 to support the Summer Recreation Program, provided lunches for participating children, and sponsored a special Father’s Day lunch for seniors in the SAIL Program.

"Ashland Place’s Senior Pastor, Darren McClellan, has been leading drumming lessons in the Summer Rec Program, which gave us the opportunity to provide lunches for the children to enjoy. Furthermore, the seniors remain near and dear to us, and we were proud to sponsor the Father's Day lunch for the third year in a row."

---Cammie Singleton, Administrator, The Joseph Project Food Pantry

On June 11th, Dumas Wesley’s transitional housing program, the Baldwin Family Village, hosted the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office for United Way of Baldwin County’s Annual Day of Caring. This meaningful day of service showcased the power of community collaboration and volunteerism. We extend our sincere gratitude to the entire department for their hard work and dedication to supporting our mission.