Baldwin Family Village, Fairhope

By: Zeb Hargett

‍Ann Bedsole’s book, Leave Your Footprint, describes many of her accomplishments throughout the State of Alabama, especially along the Gulf Coast.  She brought the 911 emergency system to the state as a Senator in the Alabama Legislature.

She was also instrumental in creating the Alabama School of Math and Science in Mobile, organizing the Tricentennial Celebration, and the recently completed Bienville Square Park renovation. Perhaps her proudest achievement was the creation of the Sybil H. Smith Family Village for homeless women and children in Mobile.

An 18-unit transition home in Mobile, it helps homeless mothers find a safe home and life-changing environment.  The program helps them learn life skills and become self-sufficient. My wife, Linda, was involved with Ann from the beginning and traveled across the country researching existing residential homes that served the homeless and demonstrated high transition success rates for its residents.

The term village is an important distinction, as it truly is a village of women and children who must learn how to live independently, break caustic, often life-threatening relationships, and live as a productive, self-sufficient citizen. It is a dream come true for those disadvantaged families.

When the Sybil H. Smith Village concept was being explored, Linda visited Mobile Interstate underpasses at night and counted the number of women and children living in these encampments. The numbers were astounding, and she learned that there were more homeless women with children than there were men.

With a plan to create a safe and healthy environment for these families, prepare them to find employment, and break the cycle of poverty and abuse, a call was made to the Dumas Wesley Community Center to enlist its help overseeing the operation. The answer was a resounding yes!

Long known for its community involvement, Dumas Wesley is a mission-based community outreach organization within the Methodist denomination. While its community involvement is nationwide, its presence in the Mobile community has a long history of positive leadership and enlists volunteers from all walks of life.

As its website states, the mission of the Dumas Wesley Community Center is to Educate, Empower, and Enrich our local community through collaborative programs of Christian service that provide for immediate human needs, strengthen family life, develop leadership, and encourage personality responsibility.’ 

Since its opening in 1999, the success of the residents of the Sybil H. Smith Village is 85-90%, meaning that within a 2-year “transition” period, residents leave the Village and find their own homes, and jobs, and are equipped with the life skills needed to live on their own.

With the success of the Sybil H. Smith Village program, Rev. Darren McClellan knew there was also a need in Baldwin County. In April 2023, Rev. Darren called Kate Carver one morning. By the end of the day, plans were in place for Rev Darren and his leadership team from Fairhope United Methodist Church to meet with the Executive Board of Dumas Wesley and work towards opening a Transitional Housing Facility for Women and Children in Baldwin County. 

An Assisted Living Facility that had been vacant for some time was found. The property owner, who lived behind the building, had a friend who envisioned it would one day become a shelter for homeless women and children. A carving of that vision remains on her porch. 

The Baldwin Family Village Foundation was formed, and the building was purchased through the generosity of hundreds of donors, for $700,000. An additional $540,000 was raised for its first year of operations. The Village officially opened in late April 2023 and its first resident arrived on May 6, 2023. The residents are interviewed and must pass a drug test before being accepted. Each resident is assigned a room, along with household chores, based on family needs, and they must seek full-time employment or go to school full-time.

Baldwin Family Village is managed under the tutelage of Dumas Wesley Community Center. Its Director is Margie Walters and Sarah Laurio serves as Associate Executive Director. Each resident is counseled by a case manager, Hillary Williams, to ensure that they are on a positive path of responsibility that will lead them to be fully independent within one year. Professional volunteers teach budgeting, health, parenting, and other skills. 

“It’s a holistic approach, and we take each resident on a case-by-case basis,” says Margie. “We hope each resident will transition to permanent housing within 12–14 months, and so far, the success rate after 1 year is 85%. Former residents call every week to stay in touch. Its community involvement is at the highest level. That’s why we call it “The Village.” 

It is difficult to discover where homeless populations are living. The Sea Glass Initiative in Foley is a resource hub that takes crisis calls daily. Baldwin Family Village receives crisis calls from individuals looking for housing every day. Currently, 71 women and children are on the waiting list for available rooms. There are other organizations that Baldwin Family Village works with within the community crises when they are full.

No government funds are used or accepted. Their mission is to provide a holistic program to address all of their needs. “Federal requirements for funding do not address what we see are the necessary programs leading to success,” says Sarah Laurie. We stopped applying for government assistance when they were dictating how we had to operate.”

“The agency is not currently receiving government funds. Its Board of Directors made the difficult but necessary decision to forgo federal funds so it could better streamline service delivery, serve an increased capacity, and shelter both homeless women with children and homeless single women. (HUD regulations prohibited the agency from sheltering single women.) 

Running the program independent of federal funding gives the staff the ability to conduct same-day intakes and get eligible candidates housed within a 24-hour window, bypassing the weeks-long waiting period that former processes once entailed,” Kate Carver, Executive Director of Dumas Wesley Community Center, said.

Baldwin Family Village is primarily funded through grants, “Anything we can identify,” says Sarah. Church support and private donations make up the rest. “It’s truly a “boots on the ground” operation, and we need all the support we can get.” Baldwin Family Village is currently at 100% occupancy with 29 residents. There can be up to 35 at any given time. That’s why the volunteers are so helpful. People want to help, and we depend on them.” Financial support for day-to-day operations is also needed. The yearly operating budget for the facility is $540,150.

“We meet the residents where they are,” says Margie. “Some volunteers assist with child care during life skills time, so Mama can concentrate. Other volunteers teach budgeting, how to open and manage a bank account, or ways to stay active to improve your health.” Other life skill classes teach conflict management and personal responsibility. 

All meals are provided by the community of volunteers, church and civic groups as well as local businesses. All are coordinated by Dumas Wesley. 

Two years ago, Ena Norton started a once-monthly lunch for the women from our former neighborhood, most of whom were new residents to Fairhope so that they could get to know each other better. The Sweetwater Girls, as they named the group, decided to do something meaningful in the community. The Baldwin Family Village had just opened its doors. They all agreed to provide a meal once a month and take turns preparing and delivering the food. “It’s been fun getting to know the ladies, and preparing and helping deliver the food. The residents are always so thankful,” Kristie Dowden says.

Susie Cerf heard of Baldwin Family Village through a “Community Gathering” held in the home of Susan Taul, a member of Fairhope United Methodist Church. The guest speakers that day were Kate Carver, Executive Director of the Dumas Wesley Community Center, and Bradley Forster, President of DWCC. Questions arose at the gathering, “Who takes care of the homeless?” The church community was the answer. “Where are they? You don’t see homeless people in Baldwin County.”

Susie got involved after she and her husband, Larry, saw how homelessness destroyed their neighborhood in California. She knew there were homeless families in Fairhope, but they weren’t visible. They found out that they were often living in encampments in the woods near parks, out of sight. She knew she had to help address the issue. That’s what brought her to Baldwin Family Village. Susie then contacted Kristie Dowden after hearing about the Sweetwater Girls and said, “WE HAVE GOT TO DO SOMETHING TO SUPPORT AND GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT THIS ORGANIZATION!” They and their husbands, Larry and Steve, set out to create awareness of this program. 

On Monday, September 16, there will be a Gathering for Goodness: Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness at the Fairhope United Methodist Church Community Life Center from 4:30 until 5:30 pm. You are invited to come and learn more about Baldwin Family Village and see how you can get involved.

“When you see success, it encourages others to do what they can to help,” says Kristie. “We’d like to address all the needs, but we need help. Together, we can set healthy boundaries and make a difference in the lives of others”. Please join us for the Gathering for Goodness informational meeting on September 16, at the Fairhope United Methodist Church Community Life Center from 4:30–5:30 PM.”

Thank you, Kristie and Steve, for inviting me to meet the team and visit with a few of the residents. You are truly making an impact on the families. A special thanks to the wonderful people involved at Dumas Wesley Community Center.