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 and everything we do creates opportunities for personal connections to grow. We host a variety of special events such as picnics, cultural nights and food distributions, as well as two ongoing programs throughout the year.
Cultural Orientation equips resettled refugees with a network of relationships and practical skills needed to build a successful life in America. Each week, participants gather in groups for focused time on subjects like: English as a Second Language (ESL), Citizenship, Driving, GED and Children's classes.
Passport to Literacy is a tutoring program that promotes literacy among 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 when you partner with us, we multiply our impact and continue to grow! Please consider supporting our work by getting involved through volunteering or supporting financially.
Warmly,
Jeri
Our Team
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Jeri Stroade
Executive Director
jeri@dwellmobile.org
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
RSS Supervisor
molly@dwellmobile.org
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
RSS Case Manager
fran@dwellmobile.org
A native of Santiago, Chile, Fran joined the Dwell team in July 2023, first serving as a translator and volunteer English teacher before moving into her current position as Case Manager.
Fran has an extensive background in teaching English as a Foreign Language and has worked and volunteered throughout Latin America. Her curiosity and adventurous spirit have led her to travel widely and experience an array of different cultures and customs.
These experiences have provided her with a profound empathy and understanding for those bravely attempting to acclimate themselves to new cultural surroundings. She is excited to be using her talents and capabilities to help further the Dwell mission.
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Georgia Ann Clark
English Coordinator
georgiaannclark@dwellmobile.org
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@dwellmobile.org
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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Kismeth Melèndez
Basic Needs Specialist
kismeth@dwellmobile.org
Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico. She tarted with the Dwell group in July 2023.
She is a teacher and medical biller by profession, but when she arrived in Mobile in 2017, she was able to identify the need in our community for lack of communication and certain needs among the immigrant population. This motivated her to reinvent herself and go out into the streets to work directly with the community to develop different projects, events, activities for the education, well-being and integration of people. She says, “it is impressive to see and be part of the multicultural diversity of our region. During this time helping others, the universe allows me to be an Influencer, being the voice and promoting what is done in our community through social networks, reporting, representing the bilingual newspaper Conexión Media Group and collaborating with different Latin events throughout the gulf coast.
I am extremely grateful to be part of the Dwell Mobile family which allows me to integrate and connect with the community for the well-being of people and families. Bringing joy and imparting positive energy to help fulfill Dwell's mission. If you can believe, everything is possible to him who believes. Mark 9:23”
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Rico Whiting
Employment Specialist
rico@dwellmobile.org
A Mobile, AL native, Rico grew up a stone's throw away from the Gulf in St. Petersburg, FL.
He has a Bachelor’s in Finance from Spring Hill College, and studied Real Estate at New York University. He’s lived and worked abroad in Costa Rica, Japan, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Rico has diverse business experience in commercial real estate, hospitality, and supply chain management and has served with several local community organizations. He is dedicated to supporting Dwell and our clients as an Employment Specialist.
Rico came to Dwell as a volunteer during the pandemic to help with food distributions and English tutoring. He is a TEFL certified English teacher and has been teaching at Dwell since 2022. He enjoys fly fishing, collecting wild foods in the outdoors, and just about anything in or on the water.
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Yajaira Miller
Refugee Health Advocate
Yajaira brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to her role as Refugee Health Advocate. Growing up in a household that embraced a rich blend of cultures, Yajaira's father's journey from Spain to Venezuela as a teenager instilled in her a deep appreciation for diversity and resilience.
Yajaira herself navigated migration later in life, giving her firsthand insight into the challenges of integrating into new cultures and mastering unfamiliar languages. With a background in psychology and over 20 years of experience in private counseling, Yajaira has dedicated her career to supporting individuals in overcoming adversity and achieving personal growth.
Prior to joining Dwell, Yajaira spent five years immersed in the complexities of the U.S. healthcare system, specializing in health insurance and gaining invaluable knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, and Marketplace services.
Yajaira's passion for helping others led her to Dwell, where she immediately connected with their mission. Upon entering Dwell, she was captivated by the loving energy that fills the space, instantly making everyone feel better. Yajaira's love for people and innate compassion make her a dedicated advocate for refugees and asylums, ensuring they receive the holistic support needed to rebuild their lives with dignity and resilience.
As a migrant and coming from a family of migrants, she deeply understands the challenges and opportunities that come with starting a new life in a different country. Her sensitivity to the experiences of refugees drives Dwell's mission to offer a welcoming and understanding environment where everyone can find their path to a fulfilling and meaningful life.
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Christina Buckner
Refugee Education Advocate
Christina grew up in Alabama but has lived in 14 cities, 8 states, and 3 countries. She studied Theater and Anthropology at the University of Evansville and continued her graduate studies in Anthropology at the University of Kentucky, where she did research in Nicaragua and Peru. She moved to Mexico in 2016 to work for education-based non-profits and later transitioned to teaching and translating Spanish and English professionally. Christina moved back to Alabama in 2022 to be closer to family, but after two years of teaching high school Spanish, she wanted to do more to help local immigrant and refugee populations. She is thrilled to join Dwell’s multifaceted advocacy approach and is excited to relocate to the Mobile area. Outside of Dwell, Christina loves all things related to the outdoors, plants, bikes, music, and art.
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Jessica Barmer
Office Administrator
Originally from Memphis, TN, Jessica moved to Alabama during middle school. She graduated from the University of Alabama in 2012, with a Bachelor’s in Human Development and joined the Dwell team as Office Administrator in July of 2024 after more than eight years as an administrative assistant in a large church.
Alongside daily organizational work, she greatly enjoys providing accurate information to people, helping intentionally guide them in what fits best with their interests and skills while watching them take the steps needed to achieve their goals. She desires to see people and organizations thrive while working diligently in the background.
Jessica has served short-term in several locations in the U.S., including Louisiana and California, but has now called Mobile, AL home since 2014. At Dwell, she is excited to combine both her administrative and human development backgrounds to serve the community of Mobile and their neighbors - both those resettled here and those born in the city!
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Hannah Broders
Administrative Assistant / Intern
Hannah Broders graduated from Davidson High School in 2023 with an International Baccalaureate Diploma. Now, she is studying at the University of Mississippi, working towards a degree in International Studies and French.
Hannah has been a volunteer at Dwell’s food distribution for several years, and she has always loved watching Dwell serve such a sweet piece of the community. This summer, she has come to the Dwell team as an Administrative Assistant and Intern.
She is excited to work with staff and volunteers, even for a short period of time.
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.
Ashley Taylor
Ashley was born and raised here in Mobile, Alabama. She loves serving and giving back to the community in anyway the Lord Jesus leads her. She has a masters degree in Business Administration and bachelors in Accounting.
Ashley says this about her time with Dwell: “God blessed me with an opportunity to volunteer with Dwell through my church back in August of 2023. Christ Jesus came to earth not to be served, but to be of service to others. Dwell is a representation of serving others without looking for anything in return. I am grateful to be a part of that service to others.”
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 Network
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.