Community Compass Welcomes International Students to South Baldwin

This summer, the South Baldwin Chamber & Foundation’s Community Workforce initiative proudly hosted the inaugural Community Compass: Welcome & Resource Expo, bringing together local organizations and international Summer Work Travel students for an afternoon of connection, education, and community.

Held at the Foley Civic Center, the event featured more than 20 vendors representing healthcare, emergency services, shopping, tourism, parks and recreation, transportation, financial services, and municipalities from across Foley, Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach. The expo provided students with the opportunity to discover local resources, ask questions, and learn more about the community they will call home throughout the summer.

This event would not have been possible without the support of our incredible community partners. We extend our sincere appreciation to every organization that participated and shared valuable information, services, and opportunities with our international guests.

We’d also like to recognize several of our Community Workforce Investors who served as vendors, including Alabama Credit Union, Alabama Beachers, City of Foley, Baldwin Health, and Tanger Outlets. Their commitment to workforce development goes beyond investment—it reflects a shared dedication to creating a welcoming, informed, and connected experience for the seasonal employees who help support South Baldwin’s thriving tourism and hospitality industries.

One student from El Salvador, who is spending his third summer working in South Baldwin, shared how much he enjoys returning to the area.

“This is my third season here, and I love it. I enjoy exploring the area, and events like this help me learn about new places and resources that make my stay even better.”

Stories like this reinforce the importance of creating opportunities for students to engage with the community beyond the workplace. Whether it’s learning where to access healthcare, open a bank account, find recreational activities, or explore local attractions, Community Compass helps international students feel more connected and confident during their stay.

To extend the impact of the event, the Community Workforce team also collected brochures, maps, and informational materials from each participating vendor and distributed them to both the IRH Living Hall and Lewiston Hall. This ensures that even more Summer Work Travel participants have access to important community resources throughout the season.

Community Compass is part of the South Baldwin Chamber & Foundation’s ongoing commitment to strengthening our workforce through collaboration and community partnerships. By connecting employers, local organizations, and international students, we are helping create a more welcoming South Baldwin while supporting the businesses that rely on seasonal talent each year.

Thank you to every vendor, community partner, employer, and volunteer who helped make this inaugural event a success. We look forward to growing Community Compass in the years ahead and continuing to build meaningful connections that benefit our students, businesses, and the entire South Baldwin community.

View more event photos HERE.