Baldwin Family Village Foundation

07/13/2026

Please see the following updated funeral arrangements for Deaconess Clara Ester. A visitation will be held on Thursday, July 16, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at B.E. Brown Mortuary (5817 Grelot Road). On Friday, July 17, 2026, a second visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Toulminville-Warren Street United Methodist Church (2271 St. Stephens Road), with the Celebration of Life Service immediately following at 11:00 a.m. The repast will be held at Dauphin Way United Methodist Church (1507 Dauphin Street).

We will continue to lift her family, friends, and everyone who loved her in our thoughts and prayers as we gather to celebrate her life.

This week, we join our community in mourning the loss of Deaconess Clara Ester, whose life and leadership forever shaped the Dumas Wesley Community Centery and countless lives across Mobile and beyond.

As Executive Director of Dumas Wesley for more than 36 years, Clara transformed our organization through her unwavering faith, visionary leadership, and deep commitment to helping families build brighter futures. Her work laid the foundation for programs that continue to change lives today, and her legacy lives on in every person who finds hope through Dumas Wesley. We are profoundly grateful for her example and for the enduring impact of her life's work.

Please join us in keeping her family and all who loved her in your thoughts and prayers. May we honor her memory by continuing the work she so faithfully began.

07/10/2026

This week, we join our community in mourning the loss of Deaconess Clara Ester, whose life and leadership forever shaped the Dumas Wesley Community Centery and countless lives across Mobile and beyond.

As Executive Director of Dumas Wesley for more than 36 years, Clara transformed our organization through her unwavering faith, visionary leadership, and deep commitment to helping families build brighter futures. Her work laid the foundation for programs that continue to change lives today, and her legacy lives on in every person who finds hope through Dumas Wesley. We are profoundly grateful for her example and for the enduring impact of her life's work.

Please join us in keeping her family and all who loved her in your thoughts and prayers. May we honor her memory by continuing the work she so faithfully began.

07/09/2026

“Since arriving at Baldwin Family Village, I have discovered that I am much stronger than I gave myself credit for. Even through uncertainty, change and difficult circumstances, I have continued to keep moving forward. I've learned that I am resilient, can adapt and don't give up easily. I've also rediscovered my value. I am not defined by my past or the challenges I've faced. I am a loving mother, a person of faith and someone who genuinely cares about others. Being here has reminded me that it's okay to ask for help, to grow and to believe that better days are ahead. I have learned that I deserve peace, stability and a future filled with hope for myself and my family.” —-Baldwin Family Village resident

06/10/2026

This is amazing!❤️

Reflecting on the past three years, the Dumas Wesley Community Center is incredibly proud of the remarkable milestones the Baldwin Family Village has accomplished. These achievements are a direct result of the hard work and inspiring transformation of our residents, the relentless dedication of our team, and the unwavering support of our Baldwin County community.❤

04/01/2026

Looking to serve your community? Baldwin Family Village needs volunteers for child care on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings. Our most urgent need is on Monday nights. To get involved, contact Cathi Parish at [email protected] or call 251.210.4045. Thank you!

03/23/2026

The Baldwin Family Village is sustained by a dedicated network of volunteers who offer their time, talent, and resources to support the Village's mission. Last month, the Dumas Wesley Community Center recognized Sheri DeTiege, an agent with Walker Insurance Agency, for her contributions as a long-time child care volunteer.

"After learning about the Baldwin Family Village at the Central Baldwin Sunset Rotary Club, I immediately felt called to help," said DeTiege. "Many years ago, I experienced a season in my own life when I had nowhere to go. Knowing there is a safe, supportive place for women and children facing similar circumstances deeply moved me. My love for children and my passion for helping others made volunteering at the Village the perfect way to give back. Building relationships with the moms and their children each week and witnessing their growth and progress truly fills my tank. It means so much to me to be a steady, relatable, and positive presence in their lives during a time when consistency and encouragement matter most."

DeTiege’s impact extends beyond child care: she helped install two new swing sets at the Baldwin Family Village and donated a vehicle to a resident in need. Click on the link below to learn more about volunteer opportunities at the Baldwin Family Village. https://www.dumaswesley.org/volunteeratthebaldwinfamilyvillage/

03/04/2026

At Baldwin Family Village, numbers help tell the story—but they only capture part of the impact.

Since opening in May 2023, 214 individuals from 85 households have found safety, stability, and support through Baldwin Family Village. Many arrived facing eviction, domestic violence, financial crisis, or other urgent challenges.

Thanks to compassionate care and strong case management, families are finding a path forward. 94% of residents exiting the program in both 2024 and 2025 moved into permanent housing.

Behind every number is a family rebuilding their lives—and your generosity makes that possible. Thank you for being part of the story.

12/08/2025

How pretty! Thank you, Wisteria Garden Club, for the beautiful donation.

It’s really starting to feel like Christmas at the Baldwin Family Village, all thanks to the wonderful folks at the Wisteria Garden Club! Andrea Winter stopped by and brightened up our entrance with a lovely wreath and some cheerful poinsettias. Thank you for your very thoughtful and beautiful donation.

12/03/2025

Make a secure online donation In honor of , a global movement encouraging acts of kindness. Your gift will make a difference for women and children as they transition from homeless to housed, like Melissa and her family. Thank you for supporting Dumas Wesley Community Center’s transitional housing program, the Baldwin Family Village. https://dumaswesley.networkforgood.com/projects/166973-dumas-wesley-community-center

12/01/2025

The Baldwin Family Village Foundation is the proud recipient of a grant from the Cadence Bank Foundation. Funding will provide reliable transportation for residents at the Baldwin Family Village. Thank you for supporting women and children experiencing homelessness in Baldwin County.