SPOTLIGHT
Story and Mission
In 2007 , a homeless woman literally froze to death on the streets of Mobile because there was nowhere for her to go . After her tragic death , McKemie Place opened and today is still the only emergency shelter for unaccompanied adult women in our region . The mission of McKemie Place is to provide a safe haven , spiritual encouragement , and access to resources that help meet the needs and promote the well-being of unaccompanied women experiencing homelessness .
Our first guests were given shelter in March of 2007 at the United Methodist Inner City Mission thanks to the efforts of the Homeless Coalition task force including the late Jamie Praytor . To honor the legacy of James “ Jim ” McKemie and his heart for the homeless in our community , they decided to name the new women ’ s homeless shelter , McKemie Place . In our first year of operation , McKemie Place served fewer than 100 women , but now that total is well over 5,000 women .
The main goal of McKemie is to provide a safe place for homeless women to stay while encouraging them towards self-sufficiency and helping them regain their independence . Women come to us broken , hopeless and in distress . Our greatest hope is for them to grow personally and spiritually while in our care and leave us in better mental and emotional health ready to sustain long-term self-sufficiency .
How To Do Some Good :
Volunteer : McKemie Place relies heavily on volunteers to provide lunch and dinner for our guests every day of the year . We also need a few more ladies to serve as volunteer receptionists at the shelter .
Donate : We also need your financial support . On average , McKemie Place provides our community over 4 million dollars worth of services each year without any monetary requirements from our guests . Your contributions are crucial to our continued success , and we appreciate your partnership ! Donations can be made online or mailed to our PO Box . You can also Venmo donations @ McKemiePlace _
Purchase ‘ Chasing Dreams ’ Pieces : Chasing Dreams is our new social enterprise . Our guests make aprons and pillowcase dresses for little girls which can be purchased online or by contacting the shelter directly .
By making a donation for merchandise handmade by guests of McKemie Place , you are providing a homeless woman the opportunity to chase her dreams .
Above : Our amazing shelter staff . Two of our staff members started out as guests and one has worked for us for 16 years . The passion they have for our guests is undeniable . Our oldest staff member is in her 80 ’ s .
Left : We could not make it without the dedication of all of our wonderful volunteers , including Mr . Jay Haefele .
Meet our new Executive Director
Dr . Dana Watson
Dr . Dana Watson joins McKemie Place as a seasoned leader in nonprofit management , holding a PhD in Organizational Leadership and three master ’ s degrees in social work and ministry . With extensive experience working with diverse populations , he has successfully led and expanded programs , teams , and partnerships for various organizations . Dr . Watson excels in strategic planning , leadership development , fundraising , staff training and effective communication through public relations and public speaking . His arrival at McKemie Place signifies a commitment to compassionate and impactful leadership , poised to make a significant contribution to the organization ’ s mission .
( 251 ) 287-2225 www . McKemiePlace . org
Contact Us
PO Box 851418 , Mobile , AL 36685 Dr . Dana Watson , Executive Director info @ mckemieplace . org
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@ mckemieplace @ mckemieplace @ mckemieplace
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