Mobile-based refugee charity regrouping as federal cuts shrink funding
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — Members of a Mobile-based charity focused on helping refugees in difficult situations are facing a hard situation of their own. Dwell Mobile is one of a number of charities trying to figure out what to do next as federal funding dries up.
A rummage sale along Government Boulevard Saturday morning is one step members of Dwell Mobile are taking to continue funding programs to help refugees resettle in the United States.
Kismeth Melendez is a Needs Specialist at Dwell Mobile. She was busy promoting the rummage sale on social media to get people to show up. 'I like it. The service for the refugee family, service for community, and integration of community cultures. This place is multi-cultural,' said Melendez.
Since the Trump administration announced the suspension of the US's refugee resettlement program in late January, Dwell Mobile has already lost one grant, and they expect to lose another after cuts from HHS go into effect.
'We will definitely have to scale back some of our services if if we don't have federal funds. But our goal is to continue to provide as many services as we possibly can,' said RSS Case Manager at Dwell Mobile Molly Broders. She estimates 80% of their organization's funding came from federal sources. And despite this huge change, she says they're still very passionate about the people they serve.
'The people that we serve came here legally and they were promised by the United States government to have a place of safety here and refuge. We've seen how our clients have so much strength and so much resilience,' said Broders.
In addition to Saturday's rummage sale, they're also asking the city government to adjust the zoning on their property so Dwell Mobile can open a thrift store.
'We live in a country that has so much and they come from desperate situations. And I think that that's sort of in the DNA of the fabric of who we are as a country. That's our value, helping others,' said Broders.
While they may not be able to close the gap left by federal funds, organizers say they'll get a close as they can.
Mobile's Board of Zoning Adjustment will have a meeting Monday for a Public hearing on rezoning Dwell Mobile to allow retail sales. Broders says, if it goes through, they might have the thrift store open later this summer.
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