In the News

Delaware Health and Social Services introduces a new pilot program that helps seniors along the Route 9 corridor in New Castle repair and upgrade their homes.

The Healthy Homes program will help older residents make minor repairs and improve safety and accessibility.

It’s a partnership with Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County that addresses everything from mold, to yardwork or accessibility ramps.

State Rep. Franklin Cooke represents much of the Route 9 corridor. He said upgrades like this are key to help older Delawareans stay in their homes.

“They need help. Contractors sometimes take advantage of folks, especially those who are aged. This is a way we can get things done for our seniors,” Cooke said.

Cooke said the partnership with Habitat for Humanity ensures seniors get quality work done from trustworthy contractors.

[read more on Delaware Public Media]

Healthy Homes Program Will Begin in Route 9 Corridor

NEW CASTLE (May 19, 2022) – During Older Americans Month, the Department of Health and Social Services’ (DHSS) Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD) on Thursday announced a partnership with Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County to support its Healthy Homes Program as a way to support older Delawareans to age safely in their own homes.

DSAAPD will provide funding to allow Habitat for Humanity to expand Healthy Homes to older Delawareans as part of a pilot in New Castle County. Healthy Homes addresses home health hazards in order to keep homes dry, clean, ventilated, pest-free, contaminant-free and maintained. The program helps low-income homeowners impacted by age, disability and family circumstances reclaim their homes with pride and dignity.

The pilot, which will begin in the Route 9 Corridor just south of Wilmington, was announced Thursday during an event at the Rose Hill Community Center near New Castle. Officials said the pilot will help gauge the need for funding for similar services in central Delaware and Sussex County. A state senator who represents the pilot area was instrumental in bringing the possibility of such a partnership to Delaware.

“Our progress as a state can be measured by how we treat our most vulnerable residents,” said state Senator Darius Brown, D-Wilmington. “With 1 in 5 Delawareans over the age of 65, we have a responsibility to make sure the people who raised us, who provided for us and who worked hard to create a better world for us to inherit are well taken care of in their senior years,” he said. “I want to thank the Delaware Division of Aging and Habitat for Humanity for answering the call with a creative, community-focused partnership that will provide direct care to our most vulnerable seniors where they need it most – right in their own homes. I look forward to seeing older residents in the Route 9 Corridor get the helping hand they deserve, and I hope to see this program expanded to other deserving seniors elsewhere in our state very soon.”

[read more at Delaware.Gov]

Introduction
New Castle County Habitat for Humanity (NCCHFH), Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity (CDHFH), and Sussex County Habitat for Humanity (SCHFH) invite proposals to complete a statewide, data-driving housing needs assessment with an emphasis on health outcomes.

Background
Healthy, stable homes are the key to improved health, economic, and social outcomes. Unfortunately, environmental hazards in the home cause millions of preventable injuries and complications from disease each year. In Delaware, nearly 47,000 households have at least one severe housing problem. Substandard housing and poor indoor environment are linked to increased indoor allergen exposure and greater morbidity and mortality. Additionally, trip and fall hazards pose serious problems and are especially problematic for older residents. More than 26% of adults over the age of 65 reported falling in the past year. Approximately 1 in 5 of these falls caused serious injury resulting in restricted activity, loss of independence and premature death. These issues are especially prevalent in low-income and minority households.

The true extent of housing needs by community in the State of Delaware is unknown. Currently, all three Habitat for Humanity affiliates base housing needs assumptions on years of experience and community relationships and partnerships but are undocumented by a citable study. We believe we can build a stronger case for funders to support this important work with a citable needs assessment – increasing our capacity to complete healthy home repairs in the state.

[read more about our Healthy Homes Assessment here]

[click here for more information about the Healthy Homes Assessment]

WILMINGTON — The Delaware Business Times is excited to announce the 2022 honorees of its second annual CEO of the Year program.

The awards program honors the efforts of Delaware’s top-ranking business leaders in both for-profit and nonprofit sectors. The winners, chosen by an independent judging panel, will be honored at a July 14 charity golf outing, dinner and awards presentation at Deerfield Golf Club in Newark. Tickets are available here.

The Medium Nonprofit CEO of the Year honoree is Anthony DePrima, executive director of Dover-based Energize Delaware, which provides energy-efficiency grants, loans and training to low-income residents and organizations that serve the public. DePrima oversees millions of dollars that have been disseminated to residents and nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity, Wilmington Senior Center, Kingswood Community Center, and more. DePrima is also a former city manager of Dover, and he currently serves on Capitol School District school board, as well as the boards of NCALL, the Dover Library Foundation and the Kent County Conservancy.

[read the full article here]

Supporting national partners – At Home, Carrier Global Corporation, Rocket Mortgage, and U.S. Bank Foundation – join to help raise awareness and support

ATLANTA, April 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — In March 2020, home took on a new and powerful meaning. It became the first line of defense against disease, our refuge and haven, and the place where people found hope during times of uncertainty. As the world contends with year three of the pandemic, rising inflation, and economic volatility, access to safe, stable, and affordable housing continues to play a critical role in the lives of millions of families around the world.

Today, Habitat for Humanity kicks off its sixth annual Home is the Key campaign to increase awareness around the need for affordable housing and raise funds to help families achieve stability through shelter. Four partners – At Home: The Home Décor Superstore, Carrier Global Corporation, Rocket Mortgage, and U.S. Bank Foundation – are joining the campaign to support Habitat’s mission of building homes, community and hope in the U.S. and around the world.

[read more on PR Newswire]

WILMINGTON, Del. (CBS) — A Delaware nonprofit, sponsored in part by Exelon, is giving $800,000 to support building climate smart homes. Eyewitness News was in Wilmington Thursday morning.

Money from Energize Delaware is going to the nonprofit New Ecology Inc. It will collaborate with developers on all-electric homes.

[read more on CBS Philly]

Habitat for Humanity volunteers will meet to work on a special community build project later this month. The First Baptist Panel Build will be on Saturday, March 12 in the Habitat parking lot.

Over 100 volunteers are expected to show up and help build the panels of a new home. The volunteers are from First Baptist Castle Street and First Baptist Main Street of Murfreesboro.

The walls that are being constructed on March 12th are for “Amber’s” house, a future Habitat for Humanity homeowner in Rutherford County. Volunteers plan to build “ALL” the walls of the home in just 5-hours.

Amber, the future homeowner,  has been attending Habitat’s Financial Literacy and Homeowner Education program and will complete 300 hours of sweat equity, working on the construction of her house as well as other Habitat houses and the Habitat ReStore.

The young mother works at Nissan in Smyrna, but is currently living in Columbia, Tennessee. She’s excited to soon be living be closer to work!

Amber’s son is 14-years-old and is very excited to have his own bedroom and a neighborhood to that will feel like a real home.

Meanwhile, Amber’s 3-year-old daughter was born with Coffin Siris Syndrome. The young child faces health issues daily. Her mother, a future homeowner, is looking forward to having more healthcare and a variety of services for her daughter in Murfreesboro.

[Read more on WGNS Radio]

*MEDIA ADVISORY*

 Sen. Coons joins AmeriCorps CEO Michael Smith for AmeriCorps Swearing-in Ceremony, Habitat for Humanity site visit

WILMINGTON, Del. – Today at 1:30pm, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) along with Michael Smith, CEO of AmeriCorps will host a swearing-in ceremony for participating AmeriCorps programs in Delaware at Wilmington Public Library. Participating AmeriCorps programs may include Economic Mobility Corps, National Health Corps–Delaware, Public Allies Delaware, Reading Assist, and Teach for America–Delaware. Events will conclude following a site visit from Senator Coons and Michael Smith at New Castle County Habitat for Humanity welcoming a new homeowner.

Sen. Coons, a long time AmeriCorps champion and inductee into the National Service Hall of Fame in 2021, helped to secure $1 billion for AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors in the American Rescue Plan. As the lead author of the CORPS Act, Sen. Coons has led the charge to grow AmeriCorps to 250,000 members annually and advocated for an increased federal investment to make that goal a reality.

WHO: U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), Michael Smith, AmeriCorps CEO

WHEN: AmeriCorps ceremony, 1:30pm-2:50pm; Habitat for Humanity site visit, 3:00pm-4:00pm

• 1:30pm-2:30pm: AmeriCorps Service Community Gathering, Wilmington Public Library
• 2:35pm-2:50: Sen. Coons, Michael Smith press availability
• 3:00pm: New Castle County Habitat for Humanity site visit
• 3:00pm: Introduction by Habitat leadership NCCC team
• 3:10pm: Remarks from Sen. Coons, Michael Smith
• 3:25pm-4:00pm: Tour of Habitat site, conversations with Habitat leadership team

 WHERE:

• AmeriCorps Swearing in Ceremony: Wilmington Public Library, 10 E 10^th Street, Wilmington, DE
• New Castle County Habitat for Humanity visit: 800 block of Bennett Street, Wilmington, DE

Sunlight shone through the glass door of a building Charly “Evol” Bass knew well, the light kindling the warm hues of oranges and yellows that enveloped the walls of her restaurant, Jerry Deen’s.

A patchwork of wooden planks, multicolored signatures and yellow neighborhood street signs covered a pillar in the middle of the establishment, complemented by the various black-and-white pictures of Bass’ parents that adorned the walls. The frigid winter air often seeped into the restaurant as patrons came inside to pick up their food, stopping often to greet Bass on their way to the counter.

Behind Bass, on a sunny windowsill slightly obstructed by the drapes, sat a collage of photos showing her and a group of children she had mentored through Game Changers, a community organization focused on addressing issues within Wilmington’s neighborhoods.

The canvas, which was gifted to Bass by one of the children, included a small inscription typed in orange cursive font next to the photos.

“Ms. Evol, they say it takes a village to raise a child. Thank you for being part of my village,” the message read.

Continue reading on Delaware Online