Our Story
In 2008, founding board member Dr. Lorena Hunt – a Fairhope, AL OB/GYN – became aware of the lack of options for families struggling with girls in crisis. In her 30 years working with women of all ages, she consistently realized the physical and emotional scars from unresolved pain experienced as a child or adolescent.
Yet Dr. Hunt found too many gaps between the well-intentioned net of school counseling, church support groups, mental health agencies and court programs. These gaps were allowing precious lives to slip through and spiral out of control. Under His Wings seeks to partner with the parents or guardians of these young girls to help these girls on a journey of healing.
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.
Our Program
Under His Wings is a Christ-centered residential home for troubled girls under 19. We offer counseling for the child and family, educational support, and the opportunity to feel safe in a loving home-like environment. Our program ensures each girl experiences:
- An on-site school with accredited curriculum, individualized education plans, certified teachers and experienced tutors.
- House parents who provide a structured and loving home life while teaching accountability, gratitude, and respect.
- Christian counseling for both girls and their families.
- Instruction in life skills and creative opportunities to restore confidence.
- Opportunities to help others in need through service projects and volunteering.
Girls continue their education through our accredited Bridgeway Academy ™ home-school curriculum. A number of volunteers coordinate art, music, field trips and volunteer opportunities. Counseling is led by licensed professional counselors. Equine therapy also plays a major role in our approach to healing. We include parents as much as possible in the process – training and equipping families in their roles to better navigate their relationships with their girl. We’re dedicated to not just creating coping methods but committed reunion of the family.
Our Beliefs
Vision
The vision for Under His Wings began in the heart of God. His plan of redemption calls for every one of us to experience His love and grace, and we believe our home is simply fulfilling that desire for these girls who’ve lost their way. He wants them to experience His love and to realize who they were created to be. He desperately wants to show them they can have hope… because He loves them. He wants them to experience the life He planned for them – a life of grace and mercy. He wants them to see how special they are in His eyes, while they seek refuge and renewal at Under His Wings.
The vision is His – it is only our work to fulfill.
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.
Leadership
The Staff
Arcelia Miller
Executive Director
Arcelia Miller was appointed the Executive Director of the non-profit Under His Wings in 2019. As the director, Arcelia is responsible for the leadership, strategic planning, and implementation for Under His Wings. The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce named Under His Wings non-profit of the year for 2022. 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 has been married to Billy Miller since 1999 and they live in Daphne with their 2 teenagers. She is passionate about her faith, family and helping to build leaders for the next generation.
Holly Logan
Chief of Staff
Holly Logan joined Under His Wings after successfully homeschooling her two daughters. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design and created the Under His Wings official logo. In addition to her creative abilities she adds her organization and proficiency in her Chief of Staff role. Holly acts as a strategic partner to the Executive Director. Her primary responsibility is to ensure that the executive’s vision is implemented effectively throughout the organization. This involves coordinating and aligning various departments, facilitating communication, and overseeing the execution of key initiatives. 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 in decision-making processes.
Kimberly Charest
Marketing Coordinator
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 graduates from Regent University in the Fall of 2024 with a degree in English. Kimberly considers it an honor to be part of a ministry that is yielded to Christ and is able to serve our community is such an impactful way.
Danielle Pyron
Director of Education
Danielle Pryon serves as our Director of Education and Lead Tutor specializing in guiding the young ladies in their virtual or homeschooling. Danielle holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. With almost a decade of teaching experience she strives to implement A, B, C, into the academics at Under His Wings.
She and her husband Will live in the city of Loxley with her bonus daughter and four fur babies: Elton the Maltipoo, Ellie the Australian Shepherd Mix, and Elliot the Hedgehog!
Mike and Sarah Parker
House Parents
Mike and Sara Parker have been married for 33 years, have three adult children, and a new grandson. The Parkers raised their children in Daphne and have served on staff at several local churches. Mike is currently an Associate Pastor at Bay Life Church. Sara serves children and teens in a variety of settings and is currently the Mental Health Services Coordinator for Gulf Shores City Schools. Mike and Sara have a heart for children and families and are excited for the
opportunity to partner with Under His Wings at this time and support the ministry of reconciliation for girls and their families.
Abby Bennett
Residential Counselor
Abby Bennett received her counseling education at Asbury Theological Seminary and holds a Bachelors in Mental Health Counseling. Her background for education began in ministry as a volunteer mentor for children and youth at her local church. Having served in this role for seven years, she followed a call the Lord issued on her heart to pursue a career in serving others through Biblically based mental health practices. Abbey saw a need to become a resource for children to have a voice and to encourage them on their journey to seek relational wholeness as God designed it among families. She understands that too often the world tells us that we are not worthy of being loved and valued but that God states He came to give life abundantly (John 10:10). She wants every girl to know that when they walk through the doors at Under His Wings, they should expect to feel valued beyond measure and loved unconditionally. God calls us out of darkness and into His wonderful light, she hopes each counseling session provides the tools for each and every young lady to do just that.
Ashleigh Strickland
Off-campus/Outreach Counselor
Ashleigh Strickland, an Associate Licensed Counselor and owner of In/Sight Counseling, LLC. is currently under the supervision of Dr. Greg Williams. Previously, 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. 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. Ashleigh’s areas of focus encompass trauma recovery, anxiety, OCD, co-dependency, and mindfulness.
Kari Whatley, LPC
Counselor/Equine Therapist
Kari leads an important part of the healing program at Under His Wings – on a farm near Bay Minette with a team of four-legged therapists.Equine therapy – like other growing methods such as art therapy – is an experience-based approach that meets each girl “where they are.” Horses are masters of reading body language, intent and emotion. Working with the girls help them to learn to better understand themselves and build the trust often lost in their lives. Kari is a Licensed Professional Counselorand an EAGALA Certified Equine Therapist.She achieved her B.S. in Theology and a M.S. in Professional Counseling at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA.
Relief Parents:
Beverly Krueger is a part of the house parent team that provides a loving home environment at Under His Wings. Structure, discipline, and security are essential to the healing process and are elements many of our girls have never had in their lives.
Tutors:
A devoted group of volunteers spend time with the girls weekly – offering love, support, and fun activities. Some bring meals, share hobbies, or tutor.
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 Members:
Board President (president, board member since inception 2008): Dr. Lorena E. Hunt, M.D. Eastern Shore OB/GYN
Board Member: Dr. Dana Watson, Licensed Clinical Counselor, Executive Director, McKemie’s Place
Board Member: Summer Williams, Youth Reach Gulf Coast House Parent
Advisory Council
Dennis Stastka, Stastka Insurance
Becky Harris, Vacation Rental Business Owner
The Challenge
There is a Battle for the Soul of These Girls.
Our girls aren’t statistics but names and faces we’re committed to restoring to freedom from the issues controlling their lives. The girls who come to Under His Wings struggle with feelings of abandonment, trauma and rebellion. They may refuse to go to school, become withdrawn, or become dependent on peers engaged in dangerous behaviors. The list of challenges to young women today can seem overwhelming.
- One woman in 5 struggles with an eating disorder.
- Each year 1 woman out of 5 will self-harm.
- 1 young woman in 3 is sexually abused before the age of 18.
- 1 woman in 8 ages 15-19 becomes pregnant each year.
- In Baldwin County – nearly 15% of all births are to mothers ages 15-19.
- Teenage pregnancy results in less likelihood of graduating high school, fewer employment opportunities and a greater chance of welfare dependency.
- For young people 15-24 years old, suicide is the third leading cause of death.
Sources: National Institute of Mental Health 2010; “Self Injury, Self Harm Statistics and Facts” – Healthy Place 2013; RAINN 2011; Centers for Disease Control 2010
