The State of Delaware, Highmark Delaware, Nemours, and DuPont Invest in the
“Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being” Critical to Individual and Community Strength
Source: Healthy Communities Delaware
In collaboration with the Delaware Division of Public Health (DDPH), Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware (Highmark Delaware), DuPont, and Nemours Children’s Health, Healthy Communities Delaware announced today it is investing $2.29 million in Delaware’s most underserved neighborhoods. Each investment supports aspects of the “Vital Conditions for Health & Well-Being,” also promoted by the National Department of Health & Human Services.
“These funds directly empower resident-led solutions that break down systemic barriers and enable communities to thrive,” said Kate Dupont Phillips, Executive Director of Healthy Communities Delaware. “Our unique approach collectively works toward ensuring that all people in Delaware thrive, no exceptions.”
HCD is a network of communities and investor partners, managed as a collaboration among the Delaware Community Foundation, DDPH and the University of Delaware. The partners employ a long-term, multi-year approach to support communities to build capacity, improve the Vital Conditions, and create sustainable infrastructure.
“By prioritizing equity and aligning resources to address the Vital Conditions, our aim is to foster sustainable solutions that enhance well-being and diminish disparities across Delaware,” said Tesha Quail, Deputy Director, Delaware Division of Public Health.
As a public/private partnership, HCD supports its partners’ goals, such as Highmark Delaware’s objectives to foster resilience and equity for all individuals and families across the state.
“Highmark is committed to innovative solutions that address community health challenges. We believe in the power of public/private partnerships to drive sustainable change. This replicable approach fosters collaboration, supports evolving community needs, and ensures relevant and timely impact, reflecting our dedication to improving health outcomes,” said Nick Moriello, President, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware.
For Nemours, the focus underscores their focus on the health and wellbeing of children in Delaware.
“Through collaboration and collective funding, HCD enhances our efforts to address the conditions that significantly impact children’s lives, ensuring the next generation has the opportunity to thrive,” said Yvette Santiago, Director of Community Engagement of Nemours.
Investments in 15 Communities Across All Three Counties
HCD currently funds initiatives in 15 communities with 21 community-based organizations and coalition partners. Each community receives annual investment and support to advance their Vital Conditions goals. Organizations receiving investment include the following.
(Editor’s note: Plans for uses of these grants are in the addendum of this release.)
New Castle County
Be Ready Community Development Corporation – $134,246
Central Baptist Community Development Corporation – $76,250
Cornerstone West Community Development Corporation – $198,942
Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County – $100,000
Jefferson Street Center, Inc. – $164,684
Northeast Community Development Corporation – $301,714
Route 9 Community Development Corporation – $206,400
Southbridge Community Development Corporation – $197,800
Wilmington Alliance – $115,000
Latin American Community Center, Inc. – $77,352
Kent County
Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity, Inc. – $140,163
NeighborGood Partners – $277,496
Sussex County
Children & Families First Delaware, Inc. – $96,218
La Esperanza Inc. – $110,970
The Springboard Collaborative – $100,000
About Healthy Communities Delaware
Healthy Communities Delaware (HCD) is a network of community and investment partners working to improve health, well-being and equity across the state. HCD is managed as acollaboration between the Delaware Community Foundation, University of Delaware Partnership for Healthy Communities and the Delaware Division of Public Health. A public/private partnership, we connect investors who want to make a difference with a network of 15 communities and 21 community-based organizations and coalition partners. Our collective goal: improve the Vital Conditions for Health & Wellbeing so that all people and places in Delaware have the opportunity to thrive – no exceptions. Learn more: www.HealthyCommunitiesDE.org.
ADDENDUM: Healthy Communities Delaware Investment Details
NEW CASTLE COUNTY
Be Ready Community Development Corporation – $134,246 to continue the transformation of a church campus into a community hub. All supports developing housing that meets the recommendations of the West Side plan in the Fourth St. corridor and surrounding neighborhoods. Includes an expanding group of engaged Hilltop residents and partners.
Central Baptist Community Development Corporation – $76,250 to expand teaching and learning initiatives through the Eastside Career Development Center (ECDC) by redeveloping a vacant property to serve as a Trade School.
Cornerstone West Community Development Corporation – $198,942 to strengthen partnerships, leverage resources, and build momentum in the community to implement the next ten years of the West Side Plan.
Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County – $100,000 to support the 2019 Northeast Implementation Plan, repair 15 houses, facilitate two community clean-ups in Northeast Wilmington, and two “Rock the Block” community clean-ups.
Jefferson Street Center, Inc. – $164,684 to advance the Washington Heights Blueprint Revitalization Plan by creating a community steering committee, piloting a recurring farmers market in a food desert, and supporting the Baynard Boulevard bike lane expansion down Washington Street.
Northeast Community Development Corporation – $301,714 to drive community revitalization and support economic development in Northeast Wilmington through collaboration, enhancing public spaces, and providing critical service through initiatives like the development of a community-endorsed plan; organizing youth workforce readiness programs, and offering micro-grants to local businesses. Partnering with Collaborate Northeast, they will continue to host resident meetings and community workshops to increase civic engagement and ensure resident input.
Route 9 Community Development Corporation* – $206,400 toward the revitalization of the Route 9 corridor. Supports the creation of an economic development plan for New Castle Avenue, implementation of a hometown overlay to guide future growth, and the expansion of a Maintenance Co-operative to assist with home repairs. NCPC will also focus on beautification projects and engaging the community through public meetings and workshops. (*formerly known as New Castle Prevention Coalition.)
Southbridge Community Development Corporation – $197,800 to support Southbridge Neighborhood Action Plan (SNAP) initiatives of data collection, façade beautification, financial literacy workshops, and re-envisioning the SANKOFA Place housing project, a partnership between the Southbridge Community Development Corporation and Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County.
Wilmington Alliance – $115,000 to expand meaningful partnerships, provide year-round art and cultural programming and promote neighborhood revitalization through initiatives such as the Arts, Resilience, and Community (ARC) program, weekly Yoga, Caribbean Dance sessions, and Healing Through the Arts events. Supports maintenance of three revitalized spaces: the Art O Mat, The Rock Lot, and the 7th and West Streets Community Park.
Latin American Community Center, Inc. – $77,352 to convene a resident advocacy committee to advance the newly updated West Side Revitalization plan and other resident-identified issues related to immigration, housing, and education; and to support activities that increase voter registration and turnout.
KENT COUNTY
Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity, Inc. – $140,163 to advance the goals of the Restoring Central Dover community plan by hosting two Rock the Block events, installing a pollinator garden, completing five home repairs, hosting a two-day youth leadership workshop to engage and empower local youth, and participating in leadership training to develop resident-leaders.
NeighborGood Partners – $277,496 to undertake a planning effort to refresh the Restoring Central Dover plan and goals, convene neighborhood meetings, facilitate leadership training, conduct voter registration events, contribute to construction of a new community meeting space in a newly constructed pole barn, construct 4 affordable, energy-efficient “passive homes”, connect residents to workforce development trainings, and engage youth in leadership opportunities and other activities.
SUSSEX COUNTY
Children & Families First Delaware, Inc. – $96,218 to support the Seaford Community of Hope (SCOH) initiative and 40 community partners in fostering community engagement through ongoing Community Advisory Committee meetings, development of training sessions, the establishment of a Youth Advisory Committee, and a Chandler Heights Garden project.
La Esperanza Inc. – $110,970 to encourage resident leadership and community feedback throughout La Esperanza programming and initiatives, continue to develop the Opciones College and Career program model with DelTech Community College, build on the Pathways to Literacy project, and implement Cultivando Lideres, an after-school ESL youth leadership and engagement club.
The Springboard Collaborative – $100,000 for innovative and accessible housing solutions through initiatives such as the Low Barrier Navigation Center Villages and Springboard Cottage Communities that offer both interim and permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals and Extremely Low Income (ELI) and Very Low Income (VLI) households, and the integration of a community health worker (CHW) to enhance these initiatives.
