The Dumas Wesley Community Center and the Baldwin Family Village Foundation have joined forces to introduce Baldwin County’s first transitional housing initiative, the Baldwin Family Village (BFV). This vital program, operated by the Dumas Wesley Community Center, draws inspiration from the highly successful Sybil Smith Family Village (SSFV) transitional housing model. The Sybil Smith program boasts an impressive 88% success rate among its graduates, defined as residents who complete the program and maintain permanent housing for two years. This remarkable figure significantly surpasses the national average by 45%, according to data from the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), a nationwide service tracking housing services and outcomes. Furthermore, in the past six years, SSFV has achieved a 0% homelessness return rate within two years post-graduation, compared to a concerning 19% national recidivism rate.
The Baldwin Family Village is designed to offer 12 months of stable housing and comprehensive support services to as many as 100 single women and mothers with children each year. The core mission of the Baldwin Family Village is to effectively break the cycle of homelessness. It aims to empower women and children to rebuild their lives and sustain self-sufficiency through a structured approach emphasizing accountability, dedicated case management, essential life skills training, and positive behavior modification strategies. To date, the Baldwin Family Village has already made a significant impact, serving 137 individuals and celebrating the graduation of 92 women and children into stable, independent housing.
The urgent need for such a program in Baldwin County is underscored by data from the United Way of Southwest Alabama. In 2021, a staggering one-third of all crisis calls originating from Baldwin County were related to homelessness and housing insecurity. Adding to this concern, the Baldwin County Public School System reported that 254 children were identified as homeless during the 2023-2024 school year, highlighting the vulnerability of families in the region.
Eligibility for the Baldwin Family Village Program
To ensure the Baldwin Family Village effectively serves those most in need and who are ready to engage with the program’s structure, specific eligibility criteria have been established. Basic requirements for admission include:
- Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 24 years of age.
- Homelessness or Domestic Violence: Applicants must be experiencing homelessness or fleeing a domestic violence situation (requiring a Protection From Abuse order upon entry).
- Work or Education Commitment: Applicants must be capable of working and/or attending school. Volunteer work does not fulfill this requirement.
- Substance-Free: Applicants must be drug and alcohol-free.
- Commitment to a Substance-Free Environment: Applicants must be willing to reside in a drug and alcohol-free environment and participate in random drug testing.
- Case Management Participation: Applicants must be willing to actively engage in a personalized case management plan.
For individuals seeking more detailed information regarding eligibility requirements or the application process for the Baldwin Family Village, please contact Margie Walters, the Director of the Baldwin Family Village, directly at 251-210-4045 or via email at [email protected].
Baldwin Family Village HMIS Privacy/Public Notices
Special Thanks to Community Partner:
Get Involved:
