Population: Estimated 2,000-2,800
County: Mobile
About: Coden, AL, is an unincorporated community located in southern Mobile County. The community is situated on the bayou that is connected to the Mississippi Sound and the Gulf of Mexico. Coden is located approximately three miles away from Bayou La Batre, and both communities share many of the same characteristics. The name comes from Coq d’Inde, the French word for “turkey”. Coden has also always been a successful seafood and fishing community. In addition to the seafood industry, Coden had a boom in its economy during the 1800s as the Mobile area became a popular tourist destination. The area was known for its resorts until a hurricane in 1906 destroyed the area and all of the businesses within it. Although the tourism industry was no longer in Coden, the town was still able to rebuild its economy with the thriving and consistent seafood industry. The area has a large Asian American population. Many Asian Americans in the area immigrated from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos for the seafood and boat building industries that provide similar opportunities to the Vietnamese seafood and boating industries.
Fun Fact: The Rolson Hotel was built in Coden after a hurricane in 1906 destroyed most other lodging and tourist spots in the area. The hotel was popular with fishermen and helped revitalize the area until 1927 when it burned. Today, where the Rolson Hotel once stood, Bayou La Batre has installed a bayfront park and historic marker to remind visitors of the area’s history in tourism.
Bayou La Batre and Coden’s joint Advisory Group provides advice, guidance and recommendations for advancing health equity in their communities. 
With funding from the Mobile County Health Department’s Health Equity Office, Bayou La Batre & Coden community liaisons hosted a senior food distribution event. 
At an event to provide utility bill assistance, Bayou La Batre and Coden Community Liaisons collaborated with community partners to offer COVID-19 testing and shared vaccine education.
Resources
News and More
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What is Mental Health First Aid? | May 1, 2023
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“They like to be included:” Understanding Unincorporated Communities | November 17, 2022
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How to Engage Youth to Lead Change | September 19, 2022
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Living in America when English isn’t your first language | August 17, 2022
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Celebrating the Lao/Thai/Khmer New Year | May 19, 2022
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Bayou La Batre & Coden, AL Welcomes ENI | March 26, 2022
Meet the Coden Community Liaison, Stephanie Khat
ENI is a community-focused, community-shaped initiative. Community Liaisons act as a resource to help communities shape ENI to fit their needs and wants. If you want to learn more or get involved with ENI, reach out to your Community Liaison.
Stephanie has been a freelance interpreter and is a bilingual speaker of the languages English and Khmer. She has been through many trainings and certifications, including certified as a peer advocate and an independent life & health agent. She works alongside people of various diversity and various ages. Stephanie is a Community Health Worker under Southern Alabama Area Health Education Center.
During her childhood, Stephanie recalls her parents taking turns carrying her on their waist for extended periods of time while they were seeking refuge. She remembers being terrified and worried about her siblings at the same time because there were hidden bombs, and they would have to hide in dug out holes. Stephanie says she is still haunted by these memories. She and her family were fortunate to have been sponsored to the United States by members of the Church of the Apostles located in Atlanta, GA. Now, we have resided in the U.S. for over 40 years, and Stephanie has received her United States citizenship.
251-508-8555
Meet the Coden Community Liaison, Khiaw Srihanouvong
ENI is a community-focused, community-shaped initiative. Community Liaisons act as a resource to help communities shape ENI to fit their needs and wants. If you want to learn more or get involved with ENI, reach out to your Community Liaison.
Khiaw Srihanouvong was born in Savannaket, Laos. During the Vietnam War, his family escaped to Thailand, where they stayed in a refugee camp. A church group sponsored Khiaw’s family, and at the age of five he arrived in America. A family of German Mennonites from Pennsylvania took them in and quickly became like family. Eventually Khiaw moved with his parents to live near his mother’s family in Ohio.
Khiaw graduated from Shawnee High School and took some college courses at the Ohio State Branch in Lima, OH. He eventually moved to Mobile, AL, where most of his family currently resides. As he got to know the community, Khiaw became someone people reach out to for help. He frequently helps with translations, assists with filling out paperwork, and brings community members in need to doctor visits. Khiaw enjoys the happiness he sees in them because it makes him feel good inside, too.
251-533-8033