<article class="content"> <p>In 2010, Jeri Stroade began volunteering with refugees in Mobile, Alabama through All Nations Community Church (ANCC). As Jeri met more and more refugees and listened to their stories, they continually identified the same need: relationships.</p> <p>The refugees told stories of leaving family and trying to establish life in Mobile far from their support networks. From this time of observation, learning and listening, Jeri started looking to provide opportunities for Mobilians to build relationships with refugees. It became evident that the refugee community’s needs were broader than one church could handle.</p> <p>In 2015, Jeri established <a href="https://www.dwellmobile.org/">Dwell Mobile</a> as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization both to equip refugees to adjust to life in America and to mobilize Mobilians to care for refugees. The mission of Dwell Mobile to provide opportunities for refugees to thrive by raising awareness, removing obstacles and restoring relationships.</p> <h2>Q&amp;A</h2> <p><strong>Your name:</strong> <br>Jeri Stroade</p> <p><strong>Name of Your organization:</strong> <br><a href="https://www.dwellmobile.org/">Dwell Mobile </a></p> <p><strong>Location of Your organization:</strong> <br>Mobile, Alabama</p> <p><strong>What communities does your organization serve?</strong> <br>We provide post-resettlement assimilation support to people who have come to Mobile, Alabama as resettled refugees and immigrants. About 50% of the people we serve are from African countries such as Congo, Rwanda and Sudan. The other 50% of our clients are from Iraq and Central/South America.</p> <p><strong>What are you most excited for in 2020?</strong> <br>One of our original goals for 2020 was to raise funds to add much-needed staff to our organization. While we still hope to be able to do this, things have obviously become less certain for the year. Throughout this crisis I have been continually grateful for the outpouring of support we have received that has enabled us to meet food, health, and educational needs of our families. I have also been overwhelmed by the concern and care our families have shown us as we have made food deliveries. The families we serve are some of the most resilient people I know and watching them navigate this crisis has given me hope in these uncertain times.</p> <p><strong>How has your organization benefited from the Hello Neighbor Network?</strong> <br>The Hello Neighbor Network has helped us in so many ways! The Network was established in a spirit of sharing and generosity and the collaborative spirit of all of the organizations involved has given me a space to ask questions and share ideas with the assurance of honest, experienced feedback. The challenges to starting and running a new organization can sometimes be isolating. The Hello Neighbor Network has provided a community and support system to help me realize that I am not alone in this work.</p></article>