Baldwin Family Village marks first year as formerly homeless families find stability
BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG) — Baldwin County’s first and only homeless shelter for women and children marked its first year of operation.
Organizers say they’re sending dozens of families back into the community with a sense of stability. The Baldwin Family Village is operated by the Dumas Wesley Community Center. Officials with the Dumas Wesley Center say, at this point, they’ve helped at least 81 women and children through their new Baldwin County facility.
The Baldwin Family Village opened in the spring 2023 and hit capacity for the first time late last year. Now they’re watching dozens of women graduate their program. 51 have come out of the program so far.
One of them I spoke with was Brittany Stapleton, she’s originally from Mobile County and moved back to the area after leaving what she describes as a domestic abuse situation.
After 10 months at Baldwin County Village she has a new rental home and is back in school.
Stapleton says the program gave her stability and held her to standards that she had to meet.
Brittany Stapleton, former Baldwin Fam. Village resident: “Everybody there was just on our side and they were giving us good advice on how to handle our situations. And, you know, they would give us like good things to look forward to goals,” said Stapleton. “I’ve learned to be more compassionate to other people. I’ve learned to have more grace and more patience to rely on God to help with my problems.” The Baldwin Family Village offers support to women who may be fleeing domestic violence, housing instability or a sudden loss.
“We are so proud of the Baldwin County community for wrapping their arms around our mission and our residents and welcoming us into their community,” said Joni Hendee with the Dumas Wesley Community Center. The village provides a home for women and children. The women in the program go through case management, life skill classes and behavior modification. They rely on community support whether its through donations of time or money.
You can find out more about it through the Baldwin Family Village Foundation here.
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