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Our Story
Beginning in 2008, Dr. Nena Hunt, OB/GYN started to recognize that many of the women visiting her office in Fairhope AL were still suffering from past trauma. Encountering hundreds of women over her years of practice, she saw how many were still affected by the challenges they faced as young teens. Abuse, neglect, and other adversities made it difficult for them to see their worth, often manifesting into bad choices as they became adults.
Though there were, and still are, well-intentioned networks of school counselors, church support groups, mental health agencies and court programs, she realized there were too many gaps. And these gaps were allowing precious lives to slip through and spiral out of control. She also realized that families were a critical part of healing. Therefore, Under His Wings knew that partnering with the parents or guardians of these young girls was key to helping these hurt girls on their journey to healing.
Feeling that she was being called to action after reading Philippians 2:21–For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's, she sought godly wisdom. How exactly was she to look after these girls before they became woman living with years of hurt? Under His Wings – a name taken from Psalm 91:4 – opened its doors in June 2013 as a place for girls to find refuge, renewal and a restored relationship with God.
Courage Home
Our inaugural program continues to serve teen girls, ages 13-18, since the first residents in 2013. Dedicated houseparents model honesty, integrity, and hard work. A private educational director creates a personal education plan according to their academic goals. Here, these courageous girls discover a structured, nurturing environment where they are encouraged, through personal responsibility and resilience, to discover their self-worth.
Spending an average of 10 months in our home, some residents experience a healthy family dynamic for the first time. Others have the opportunity to develop their own values and beliefs without external pressures. With virtually no access to the online world, each girl is able to focus on her gifts, discover her identity, and rest in a safe environment, free from distractions and unhealthy influences through a structured plan for wholeness.
Because participation in Under His Wings is voluntary, each girl arrives understanding that success is available through commitment to their healing. While we follow the example of Jesus Christ, we welcome every girl as she is. Faith is a personal journey, and we do not require participants to convert to Christianity, recognizing that their values and beliefs must be their own.
We also believe families play a crucial role in a girl’s long-term success. Trauma affects the entire family, and parents or guardians can feel helpless, unsure of how to guide their daughters, granddaughters, or nieces through their situation. Because our ultimate goal is to bring healing, not just to the girls but to their families, parents and guardians commit to family counseling and trauma education. By equipping themselves, they are able to provide lasting support, playing an important role in the future success once the girls return home.
Programs
Since 2013, Under His Wings has been dedicated to serving families. Through the Lord’s faithfulness and the generosity of the donors He has brought to this ministry, we have been blessed to successfully establish three impactful programs.
Perseverance Place
One vision for 2025 is to expand our ministry to serve young women, aged 19-23, by offering them the same love, support, and guidance provided to our younger residents. These are women who are ready to step into the next phase of life but find themselves without access to support or guidance due to family dynamics, aging out of foster care, and other obstacles to success.
Not considered an adult until 19 years old in Alabama, the need to support young women to become self-sufficient adults, helping them with continued education, career assistance, or simply a roof over their heads is prevalent in our community. By building a new home, we can support up to 8 young ladies, offering them assistance before they find themselves in harmful and dangerous situations.
G.L.E.A.N.
As the Courage Home provides a place for young ladies in need of residential rest, the G.L.E.A.N program meets families and their daughters where they are. An acronym which stands for: Grit, Leadership, Excellence, Anchored, Noble we aim to instill these qualities in the young women with this program. Realizing we could reach families beyond our doors, the Lord provided the opportunity to reach girls in our community struggling with hard things, even if they didn’t need residential respite.
This program focuses on young ladies ages 13-23. We provide the tools they need to succeed from counseling and coaching to workforce and leadership development. The goal is to assist them as they build resilience to overcome their past so they can become healthy, contributing members of the community.
Team Members
Arcelia Miller
Executive Director
Arcelia Miller was appointed the Executive Director in 2019. As the director, Arcelia is responsible for the leadership, strategic planning, and implementation for Under His Wings. Previously, Arcelia served as a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force before transitioning into the corporate world as a business consultant and leadership/executive coach. She served as a homeschool director in Classical Conversations for six years and was the Younger Children’s Director at Faith Family Fellowship for two years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the George Washington University, in Washington D.C. and a Master’s in Quality Systems Management from The National Graduate School. She is a certified Biblical Counselor and Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Practitioner.
Arcelia is invested in the mission field in Baldwin County and is a 2024 graduate of Leadership Baldwin. She serves on the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce board, the Advisory Council for Prodisee Pantry and is active with Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. Arcelia and her husband Billy Miller, have been married since 1999 raising two children. Her son is currently enlisted in the US Army and her daughter graduates spring 2025. She is passionate about her faith, family and helping to build leaders for the next generation.
Micah and Katie Kemp
Houseparents
Katie and Micah serve as houseparents where they consider it a joy to get to know each girl's unique personality and watch her grow into the woman God has called her to be. Katie was deeply shaped by her family's experience fostering children and spent five years as a student ministry director during college. Micah brings a background in middle and high school education, along with years of service in student ministry. Together, they hope to love each girl in a way that reflects Jesus and creates a safe, nurturing home. In their free time, Katie and Micah enjoy waterskiing, hiking, and reading.
Karra Jackson
Director of Education
Karra Jackson serves as our Director of Education and Lead Tutor. She specializes in guiding residents in their academics, helping them to meet their educational goals. She strives to provide a positive and encouraging learning environment, where each day the residents are challenged to grow in their walk with God and strive for success in their studies. Karra homeschooled her three children for 15 years, taught art at a local homeschool group, and teaches piano from her home. She holds a Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology.
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Holly Logan
Chief of Staff
Holly Logan joined Under His Wings after successfully homeschooling her two daughters and working in a leading role with her homeschool coopeartive. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design and uses these abilities in addition to her organization and proficiency as Chief of Staff. Acting as a strategic partner to the Executive Director, her primary responsibility is to ensure the executive’s vision is implemented effectively throughout the organization. Holly also acts as a gatekeeper, managing the executive’s schedule, filtering information, and prioritizing tasks. Additionally, she handles sensitive and confidential matters, providing counsel and support to the Executive Director in decision-making processes.
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Genesis Bateman
Community Relations & Resource Officer
A graduate from Auburn University in 2019 with a Master’s in Writing and Composition, Genesis brings a passion for community building and outreach development. Her diverse job opportunities, from classrooms, to non-profits, to law offices, she uses her writing skills to meet the needs of vulnerable community members. As an assistant to the Executive Director, Genesis works to support donor and community relations, assist in grant writing opportunities, and provide guidance on marketing efforts and internal tasks. She values her Christian faith and is joyful to work alongside a team committed to serve the young women of the Gulf Coast.
Kimberly Charest
Creative Director
Kimberly is the creative arm of Under His Wings, helping to share the stories and impact of the families who come under the care of this ministry. As the youngest on our team she leverages her fresh cultural insight working to keep Under His Wings in the flow of the current generation. She works alongside the Executive Director to deliver content, engage supporters, and cultivate community. Kimberly manages the social media, podcast production, broadcast marketing, and brand strategy at Under His Wings. She graduated from Regent University in the Fall of 2024 with a degree in English and concentration in writing. Kimberly considers it an honor to be part of a ministry that is yielded to Christ and is able to serve our community in such an impactful way.
Counseling Team
Donna Johnson M.S., ALC
Courage Home Counselor
Donna provides tailored counseling for individuals and families. She specializes in helping clients navigate challenges such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD, while also working to improve communication and restore relationships within families. She also provides group counseling options that include DBT skills training, Grief counseling groups, and groups that are tailored for those experiencing depression and/or anxiety.
Ashleigh Strickland
G.L.E.A.N. Counselor
Ashleigh Strickland, an Associate Licensed Counselor and owner of In/Sight Counseling, LLC. is currently under the supervision of Dr. Greg Williams. She firmly advocates for creating a safe and nurturing environment for individuals to navigate life’s challenges. With over 10 years in the health and fitness fields, she emphasizes the importance of considering both mental and physical well-being in the journey towards wellness. Integrating goals with a holistic approach and taking into account brain and body function forms the foundation of her counseling approach.
She served as a clinical intern at Healthy Minds Counseling in Atmore, Alabama, while pursuing a Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s degree at Liberty University.
Jaime Sansoucie, ALC, NCC
G.L.E.A.N Counselor
Introducing our new G.L.E.A.N. counselor, Jaime Sansoucie! Jaime is an Associate Licensed Counselor (ALC), a National Certified Counselor (NCC), and the owner of Through Deep Waters Counseling LLC in Daphne, Alabama. She began her career as a counselor after obtaining her Master's of Education in Counseling from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 2017. Her first 8 years of professional practice were in the field of education, where she served as a school counselor for middle and high school students. Due to her background, Jaime specializes in the treatment of pre-teens, adolescents, and young adults. She has years of experience helping this age group to cope with a variety of concerns, including anxiety, depression, school-related issues, self-esteem, parental separation/family conflict, grief, peer relationships, self-image, life transitions, college/career topics, trauma, and more. However, she is passionate about helping individuals of all ages to navigate the deep waters of life, as the waves can feel quite scary, challenging, and often insurmountable when facing them alone.
Coaching Team
Tracy Farnell, A.M.O.S. Ministries
G.L.E.A.N. Coach
Tracy holds a BS in Religion & Christian Counseling with a minor in psychology from Liberty University. Tracy's dedication to supporting others led her to become a certified mental health coach through the American Association of Christian Counselors, specializing in Addiction and Life coaching. Tracy's commitment to serving others fuels the mission and values of our ministry.
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Cile Byrd
G.L.E.A.N. Coach
Cile joins the Under His Wings team after being a prayer partner and supporter for the past eight years. She has held various roles in the corporate world but always makes time for listening, good conversations and her passion- people! Cile and her husband Chris have four children- three in college and one in high school. She is certified in Leadership Coaching, Biblical Counseling, and D.I.S.C. assessments. She enjoys the process of helping people move forward when they feel stuck.
Relief Team
Beverly Krueger
Enrichment Team
Nitza Bedsole, A.M.O.S. (Fitness)
Kari Whatley (Equine therapy)
Brittany Lawrence (Equine therapy)
Amanda McDanal (TRBR Practioner- Nutrure Group)
Tutors
Anna Glass
Crystal Dorsey
Board President
Dr. Lorena E. Hunt, M.D.
Eastern Shore OB/GYN
Board Member
Dr. Dana Watson,
Licensed Clinical Counselor
Under His Wings is a 501c3 non-profit created in 2012, managed by a Board of Directors committed to the vision and calling of our mission.
The Board receives legal and financial counsel from an Alabama board-certified attorney and accountant.
Since 2013 Under His Wings has been licensed by the State of Alabama to provide residential care to girls less than 18 years of age. All requirements have been met as required by the Minimum Standards for Residential Group Homes in Alabama. Shanna Wester, the Program Manager for Residential Licensing for the State of Alabama, renewed the two year license September 2019.
Board Member
Summer Williams,
Youth Reach Gulf Coast House Parent
Finance Chair
Steve Dorsey,
Terry Thompson Chevrolet
Advisory Board
Dennis Stastka,
Stastka Insurance
Becky Harris,
Vacation Rental Business Owner
Statement of Faith
Under God’s guidance, all of our counseling is Biblically based from a Christian perspective because Jesus Christ is the source of all healing.
We believe in God, the Father, who is the Creator of all things and the Author of love.
We believe in God, the Son, and Jesus Christ, who was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a human life as we do but without sin and died on the cross for us as the all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. He arose from the dead, ascended into Heaven and sits at the right hand of God as our High Priest and Advocate. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for our salvation. All those who believe in Jesus Christ receive salvation and are born of the Holy Spirit.
We believe in God, the Holy Spirit, who is our Counselor and teaches us truth. He indwells, guides, instructs, equips and empowers the believer for Christ-like living and service. His ministry is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, convict people of their sin, and regenerate the believing sinner.
We believe in the Bible as the Inspired Word of God without error in the original writing. All humanity was created in the image of God, but has fallen into sin and is, therefore, separated from God. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can salvation and spiritual life be obtained. The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is the complete revelation of God’s will for the salvation of men, and it is the Divine and final authority for Christian faith and life.
We believe in The Church which is the Body of Christ of which Jesus is the Head. It is composed of all people who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been given the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and are united together in the continuing ministry of Jesus Christ in the world.