Mobile takes pride in being a welcoming city for resettled refugees and other displaced individuals. They often arrive with minimal possessions and limited English. At best, they may know a few neighbors or acquaintances from their home country, but they are largely alone as they adapt to a new culture.
These newer residents of Mobile often feel isolated and afraid. They’ve survived so much and want to take advantage of their opportunity. To support them, Dwell builds relationships between the people of Mobile and these refugees. Through our special events and regular programs, the Dwell family is there as they create a new home.
Mission
Dwell Mobile provides resettled refugee families practical support in their new life, meaningful relationships with new neighbors and opportunities to develop a better future.
Vision
A city where resettled refugee families find their home and community.
Welcome
Dwell Mobile is a nonprofit that provides post-resettlement acclimation services and support to refugee families who have relocated to Mobile, Alabama.
My name is Jeri Stroade. I am the founder and director of Dwell Mobile.
When I started Dwell in 2015, I looked around Mobile and saw two different communities of people. One group had arrived in Mobile as refugees. They had been told that they did not belong in their countries of origin, that if they wanted to survive they needed to flee—they did, and they found themselves in a foreign place hoping it would eventually become home.
I also saw Mobilians, people who loved this city and who, when they heard about these new members of our community, were genuinely concerned. They wanted to help, to welcome them and to give them a sense of belonging.
I began to imagine a group of people working together to create “home” for these new neighbors. This vision led me to found Dwell Mobile. Our name represents the displaced among us. We exist to partner with them as they build a new life here with us.
The core of who we are and what we promote is relationship development. We believe strongly in the ability of relationships to heal and restore. We host a variety of special events such as picnics, cultural nights and food distributions, as well as two ongoing programs throughout the year. Everything we do creates opportunities for personal connections to grow.
Our Foundations Classes equip resettled refugees with a network of relationships and practical skills needed to build a successful life in America. Each week, we share a meal together then break out into subject-focused groups including ESL, Citizenship, Driving, GED and children's classes.
Passport to Literacy is a tutoring program that promotes literacy among the 1st through 12th grade children of resettled refugees. Membership on Dwell's soccer team is dependent upon regular attendance at the weekly tutoring sessions.
Dwell will continue to build relationships and support refugees as well as we can, but if you partner with us, we can multiply the impact and continue to grow. Please consider supporting our work by getting involved.
Warmly,
Jeri
Meet the Team
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Jeri Stroade
Executive Director
Jeri Stroade is the founder and director of Dwell Mobile. She has a Masters of Science in Agricultural Economics with an emphasis in international development. While pursuing her degree, she discovered a passion for working with other cultures which ultimately led her to work with the refugee community in Mobile, Alabama. She is continually inspired by the resiliency and determination of the resettled refugee families she has worked with as they pursue their goals in the face of adversity.
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Molly Broders
Case Manager - Supervisor
Molly Broders joined the staff in April 2023, bringing with her a rich tapestry of experience and unwavering commitment to the families we serve. Prior to this, she was an integral part of our board since 2018, demonstrating her deep-rooted dedication to Dwell’s mission.
With a background in education, Molly has seamlessly transitioned her skills to the nonprofit space, where she has made significant contributions to various organizations in our community. In her current role as a Case Manager, Molly is dedicated to supporting the different displaced persons we serve, focusing on helping them thrive and not just survive as they walk together towards the goal of self-sufficiency.
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Francisca Carvajal
Case Manager
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Ashley Burroughs
Administrative Coordinator
Ashley is a recent graduate of Spring Hill College and is pursuing a career in legal studies. She began as a volunteer with Dwell in 2022 and became an administrative coordinator in 2023. She currently helps to manage the monthly food distributions providing over 7,000 pounds of food to an average of 450 community members each month. In addition to the Food Security program, Ashley performs research-related projects and administrative tasks in the office. As the daughter of an immigrant, she is eager to learn more about the stories of newcomers in Mobile, the obstacles they faced to arrive here, and the challenges experienced as new community members. She is grateful to be contributing to Dwell’s mission of welcoming new neighbors and encourages other community members to get involved and become part of the warm embrace that rich culture and new friends bring to Mobile.
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Georgia Ann Clark
English Coordinator
Georgia Ann Clark grew up in Western North Carolina but lived in places all over including Southern California, Colorado, Spain, Perú, and Costa Rica. She graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor's degree in K-12 Spanish Education with a minor in Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language. She has an awesome husband Daniel and two beautiful children, Ella June and Boone. She taught Spanish at the middle school level in public schools for several years but is now serving as the English Coordinator at Dwell. She loves teaching students who are so motivated to learn and who will benefit so much in almost every facet of life from the proficiency they gain in the classroom.
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Haley Ames
Education Coordinator
Haley has worked with Dwell since 2022 participating in the Passport to Literacy Program and providing individual reading instruction to students with greater literacy needs. With a background working in Special Education, Haley is passionate about promoting equity in education. She feels grateful to have the opportunity to provide high quality learning experiences to the children at Dwell, and to help them thrive and succeed. Haley and her husband live in Mobile, have one son, and enjoy spending time together in nature.
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David Carden
Community Engagement / Data & IT
David's journey with Dwell Mobile began in late 2015. Over the years, he has contributed in numerous roles – initially as a volunteer, progressing to a board member, and presently, as a dedicated staff member. His recent role as Grant Support Specialist with the Alabama Office for Refugees honed his expertise in managing refugee related data and reporting requirements. David is now overseeing all data and compliance needs, but his role extends beyond just data; he is deeply committed to fostering community engagement and increasing local support for Dwell.
He is married to Jillian, a talented art teacher and artist. Jillian has been instrumental in teaching art to many of the children served by Dwell and has contributed to various art projects that showcase Dwell's impact in the community. Together, they have three wonderful daughters. For David, Dwell Mobile is more than just a workplace; it's a community where his entire family finds inspiration and connection, deeply impacted by the lives and stories of those they meet.
Meet our Board
Paige Oldshue
Paige is a recent transplant to the Mobile area. Paige practiced law in Tuscaloosa, Alabama for 22 years before “retiring” to Mobile. She now spends most of her free time “working for Jesus” in various volunteer roles through-out the Mobile community. One of her favorite things she discovered about Mobile when she moved here was the diversity of people. Serving the families of Dwell allows her to foster the enrichment of Mobile community.
Sarah Nell Leman
Sarah Nell is a native Mobilian and graduate of the University of South Alabama. She has worked with Dwell since 2018 and now serves on the board. She feels it is a privilege to be part of Dwell’s mission of building a community supportive of refugees throughout the resettlement process and beyond. She and her husband, Christian, have three kids, Katie Grace, Hank, and Maeve. She is thankful to be able to share the importance of resettled refugee support with her family especially as her kids grow and are able to be a part of the vision of Dwell.
Candyce Miller
Candyce, who also goes by Candy, was first introduced to Dwell through Jeri Stroade. Immediately she knew Dwell was an organization she wanted to be a part of. Candy has a love for international missions but in her stage of life, she is unable to travel overseas to serve. When she heard about Dwell and what all they do in the community to help refugees, it seemed like the best of both worlds, serving in an international capacity but right in her hometown. A little over a year ago she began volunteering at the monthly food distribution and has also helped with fundraising. Candy is the newest member of our board and is eager to get involved and start building relationships with Dwell families. Candy is a native of Mobile and graduate of The University of South Alabama. She lives in Saraland and is the Branch Manager of 22nd State Bank in Spring Hill. When not at work she enjoys outdoor activities including kayaking, hiking, fishing and camping with her three small children David, Gabe and Madelyn.
Hello Neighbor
The Hello Neighbor Network provides growing refugee-focused nonprofits with education, a supportive peer network, and the inspiration, leadership and advocacy skills they need to achieve meaningful change.