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Our Community Inc., a nonprofit affiliate of the Dothan Housing Authority, announced today it has received a $1.25 million grant from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez through the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund. This donation marks the largest gift in the organization’s history and represents a significant step forward in its mission to combat family homelessness in Southeast Alabama.
“This grant is not just about funding; it’s about restoring hope and dignity to our community members experiencing homelessness,” said Samuel P. Crawford, President and CEO of Our Community Inc.
The grant comes at a critical time as family homelessness in the United States has surged. According to a 2024 report by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, families now make up more than 28 percent of the nation’s homeless population.
With the one-time grant, *Our Community Inc.* plans to expand its efforts to address family homelessness in the Wiregrass region by creating affordable housing units and providing outreach and rapid rehousing services. These initiatives will be conducted in collaboration with The Southeast Alabama Coalition for the Homeless (SEACH), further strengthening regional partnerships to address this urgent issue.
“We believe that every individual deserves a place to call home, and with this grant, we’re one step closer to making that belief a reality for all in our community,” said Tera Wells, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Our Community Inc.
Since its inception in 2018, the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund has awarded 248 grants totaling nearly $750 million to organizations across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. This year, the Fund distributed $110.5 million in grants to 40 organizations, including, for the first time, nonprofits in Kansas and New Jersey.
The Day 1 Families Fund focuses on helping families experiencing homelessness, with a goal inspired by Mary’s Place in Seattle: ensuring no child sleeps outside. The grants are uniquely flexible, allowing organizations like *Our Community Inc.* to design innovative solutions tailored to their communities’ needs.\
Our Community Inc.*serves Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Houston, and Henry Counties in Southeast Alabama. As a nonprofit affiliate of the Dothan Housing Authority, its mission is to rebuild lives and revitalize neighborhoods by providing stable housing solutions and combating homelessness.]
The Bezos Day 1 Families Fund, launched in 2018, is part of a $2 billion commitment by Jeff Bezos to address homelessness and improve early education. The Fund awards annual grants to organizations making substantial progress in helping families experiencing homelessness regain safe, stable housing and achieve well-being.
