Today we’d like to introduce you to Tammy Mixon-Calderon.
Hi Tammy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Tammy A.K. Mixon-Calderon joined the staff of Wesley Community Centers in December l996 as the agency’s Assistant Director. The Board of Directors promoted her to Executive Director in January, 1998. In 2007, Wesley Community Centers of Savannah was awarded the contract to operate and manage the Lady Bamford Early Childhood Development Center. Under Tammy’s leadership, Wesley’s childcare building on Drayton Street has just completed a 1.5 million dollar capital campaign and renovation for the building to reopen very soon! This childcare building’s new name is Wesley’s STEAM Spot for Kidz. Prior to working at Wesley, Tammy served as Program Coordinator for the Homeless Outreach Services Team at Tidelands Community Service Board, and as an Epidemiologist/Disease Intervention Specialist with the Centers for Disease Control at its site in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Tammy has both direct services and administrative experience in social work and has worked extensively with homeless people and people living with HIV/AIDS.
Mrs. Mixon-Calderon graduated from Florida A & M University with a degree in Psychology, with a minor in Biology, and has a Master of Arts Degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. Tammy is a council member with Lifeline for Children, a past Board Member for Parent University, a past member of the Advisory Board for the Savannah Early Childhood Foundation, is a member of God’s Project, a singing ministry, and is a graduate of Leadership Savannah.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Obstacles:
Working for a non-profit organization, the obstacle is always connecting with the right resource to apply for and receive grants to help enhance the mission of Wesley Community Centers of Savannah, Inc. Over the years, grants have decreased in amount and the funding of a demographic area. Years past, grants from around the country or even around the region provided opportunities for small non-profits like Wesley Community Centers to obtain. Now, we must continue to think of new and innovative ways to bring needed funds to sustain our programs and services.
Challenges:
Since the COVID-19 Pandemic, it appears that work ethics have gone down the drain! It is challenging to find potential employees who are competent, capable and teachable. Potential employees may have one of the preferred qualities, but very rarely to find one that has all three! In addition, it is difficult to keep employees as they go through our training and obtain the needed credentials to be successful in most of our programs. Obtaining their credential opens up a door of other opportunities that pays a higher salary than our organization. Being a non-profit limits, many times, the consistent salary increases. For example, for an employee in the education field, once obtaining their credential, they leave our agency to obtain a higher salary in a larger educational enterprise. As a small non-profit, we cannot keep up/nor compete with the salary increases that come with a state or federal-backing education arena.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Wesley Community Centers of Savannah, Inc. was established in April of 1949 by Ms. Gertrude Greene, the first African-American Social Worker for the Department of Family and Children Services. Ms. Greene saw a need to provide childcare for (at that time) Negro working mothers. Ms. Greene connected with other community leaders, to include Rev. George Cleary, Rev. Arthur Curtwright, and Dr. William K. Payne (President at that time of Savannah State College). That group invited the women from Christian Missionary Society to come and assess a site for this childcare center, which started at the Bethlehem Community Centers serving 25 children in a borrowed house. in 1972, the Bethlehem Centers merged with the Inner City Community Centers and took on the name Wesley Community Centers of Savannah, Inc.
Wesley Community Centers of Savannah, Inc. is a National United Methodist Mission Institution and its mission is to enhance the economic, educational and spiritual growth, through excellence in early learning care and services, for women, children, and families. At Wesley Community Centers of Savannah, we are dedicated to creating opportunities that inspire growth, learning, and empowerment for all ages. From our early childhood education centers to family support services, each initiative is designed to nurture potential and foster resilience. Through a commitment to quality education, crisis intervention, and innovative summer camps, Wesley helps individuals and families build brighter futures and stronger communities. If you’re seeking a trusted, accredited childcare for your child, explore our services to see how we make a difference every day.
Wesley’s 2025 Snapshot Accomplishments:
Wesley’s STEAM Spot for Kidz:
• Wesley’s Early Childhood Education Center is currently under renovation to create a Science, Technology Engineer, Arts, and Math (STEAM), invigorating learning environment for 2 & 3 years of age. Opening soon!
The Lady Bamford Early Childhood Education Center: (Founded by Lady Carole Bamford and corporately sponsored by JCB, Inc.)
Subsidized child care for 83 low-income children and free services for 3 homeless children;
• Completed and achieved re-accreditation National Association for the Education of Young Children;
• We are a Three Star Quality Rated Center through Georgia Quality Rated Program
• Compliance with all Rules and Regulations, mandated by licensing entities.
• Provided employment opportunities for parents of children enrolled in child care,
• Healthy Living Initiative for children served.
• Partnership with Loop It Up Savannah’s “Looping Literacy Together Program”.
• Partnership with Economic Opportunity Authority (EOA) Foster Grandparent Program (FGP)
* Partner with Savannah Country Day School 7/8th grade students to work with our children during special
learning and outdoor events. The Students create unique STEAM stations for our children to learn ans still
have fun.
Multi-Cultural Youth Arts Program:
• On-site camp for 42 school-aged children at a reduced cost;
• Healthy Living Initiative for campers.
Wesley’s J.R. Paddison Family Life Center (Crisis Intervention Program):
• Services, advocacy, and referrals for 2,800 single adults and families;
• Gave 550 bags of groceries to hungry people; Provided over 50 people with SNAP assistance;
• Provided 200 families with personal hygiene items;
• Helped 280 families keep their homes and utilities during crisis;
• Provided Thanksgiving dinners for over 155 families;
• Gave over $7,300 in gifts/toys and gift cards for Holiday Adoption;
• Maintained Georgia Coalition to End Homelessness Quality Excellence Standards and Support Training
(QESST)
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Favorite Books: The Holy Bible and books from authors Vanessa Davis Griggs; Vanessa Miller; Anne Graham Lotz
Favorite App: Amazon
Podcasts: Sessions from Dave Ramsey and Podcasts with True Charity Network
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wesleysav.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Wesley-Community-Centers-of-Savannah-Inc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WCCS1949
