City of Wilmington Announces FREE Youth Recreational Programs for the Fall and Winter Seasons

Post provided by The City of Wilmington

Free recreational, educational and cultural activities are being offered
at nine locations around the City for youths aged 8 to 17 through next April
 
Mayor Mike Purzycki and Department of Parks and Recreation Director Kevin F. Kelly, Sr., today encouraged Wilmington’s younger people between the ages of 8 and 17 to partake of free recreational, educational and cultural activities being offered during the fall and winter at nine sites around the City. Activities include tutoring, homework assistance, aerobics, basketball, tennis and board games among others. Programming at the nine locations will be offered from now through next April.

“Our younger citizens need positive activities to help them mature and learn how to deal with various life circumstances,” said Mayor Purzycki. “Our Parks and Recreation staff engages with youths and teens to provide positive alternatives in a safe and nurturing environment. We want to offer as many programs as possible and to keep those programs going throughout the year. We know that Wilmington’s young people and their families appreciate these opportunities.”

Mayor Purzycki and Director Kelly today thanked the schools and other agencies that have worked with the City to provide sites for the fall and winter programming. They include:

Bancroft Elementary School
700 Lombard Street
Tuesday and Thursday
5:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
 
Bayard Middle School
200 South DuPont Street
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
5:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
 
Elbert-Palmer Elementary School
1210 Lobdell Street
Monday and Wednesday
5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
 
Kingswood Community Center
2300 Bowers DuPont Street
Monday through Thursday
5:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
 
Police Athletic League of Wilmington (PAL Center)
3707 North Market Street
Monday through Thursday
 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
 
P.S. DuPont Middle School
701 West 34th Street
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
5:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
 
Sarah Pyle Academy
501 North Lombard Street
Monday and Wednesday
5:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
 
Southbridge Neighborhood House
1218 B Street
Monday through Thursday
5:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
 
Warner Elementary School  
801 West 18th Street
Monday through Thursday
5:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The Grow Delaware Fund Provides $5 Million in Support Loans to Small Businesses in Delaware!

There is a new initiative to support small businesses in Wilmington and throughout the State of Delaware! The Grow Delaware Fund – will provide $5 million to support loans to small businesses in Delaware that are seeking to strengthen their operations and grow jobs.

The new program, the Grow Delaware Fund, will offer loans from $150,000 to $4 million, subject to guidelines and loan fund availability. Loans can be used for things like: 

• *Working Capital - to be repaid over 10 years
• *Machinery and Equipment - to be repaid over 10 years
• *Real estate acquisitions/renovation of owner-occupied businesses - to be repaid over 25 years
• *Tenant improvements - to be repaid over the life of the lease
• *Refinancing existing debts

Press on the project can be found below. Join us in congratulating The West End Neighborhood House, The Longwood Foundation, Discover Bank, Department of State Division of Small Business Development and Tourism and the National Development Council and all those who worked so hard for this project that will play a major key in economic development.

http://www.wdel.com/news/video-state-looking-to-recreate-wilmington-s-success-launches-grow/article_a499cbb2-c337-11e7-b7fe-4f3e86329dab.html

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/money/business/2017/11/07/grow-delaware-fund-aims-help-small-businesses-grow-and-create-jobs/837156001/

Just Three Meetings Left! Join Us & Make an Impact on Your City!

Mayor Mike Purzycki and City Planning Director Herb Inden announced that Wilmington is moving into the second phase of its year-long, community-driven process to develop a new citywide comprehensive plan. The new comp plan, which is entitled “Wilmington 2028,” will guide growth and development across the City for the next decade. The next phase involves a series of five public meetings throughout the City at which citizens are invited to drop by and offer additional comments and ideas about the comp plan. There are only three meetings left, so be sure to join in to make an impact on your city!

• Where: Woodlawn Library, 2020 West 9th Street

When: Tuesday, November 14, between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

• Where: Southbridge Neighborhood House, 1218 B Street

When: Tuesday, November 21, between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

• Where: Mt. Carmel United Church, 800 North Walnut Street

When: Thursday, November 30, between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

10 Places to Give this Holiday Season and Make a Difference in Wilmington!

One of the greatest things you can do to get into the holiday spirit is volunteer and make a difference in the community around you. Here are just a few incredible organizations within Downtown Wilmington, that could use your help this holiday season. Whether it is a donation of your time, or financial resources, you can be sure that your generosity will go to a good cause. 

1.  Our Youth Inc. 35th Annual Turkey Giveaway: For 35 years Nor Enterprises and Our Youth Inc. has provided food to thousands of seniors and families in our community who might otherwise have gone hungry on Thanksgiving Day. In the past 10 years alone they have fed in excess of 75,000 people. 

2. Reed's Refuge: Reeds’ Refuge Center is a community-focused non-profit organization committed to the holistic development and well-being of the children and financially afflicted families of the inner city of Delaware. 

3. Sunday Breakfast Mission: The Sunday Breakfast Mission serves the homeless, addicted and impoverished.

4. Neighborhood House: Neighborhood House provides informational programs that impact low to moderate income individuals, families and communities.

5. Ronald McDonald House: Keeping families with sick children together and near the care and resources they need.

6. Delaware Humane Association: Delaware’s premiere nonprofit no-kill animal care and adoption center, serving a four-state area. They are committed to providing for the needs of homeless and owned dogs and cats in our community.

7. The Ministry of Caring: The Ministry of Caring is a vibrant community of staff, volunteers, donors and diverse supporters united by a passion to serve the poor. 

8. St Patrick's Center: St. Patrick's Center provides emergency food, meals, respite for the homeless, clothing, transportation, and recreational activities for people in need on Wilmington's east side.

9. The Food Bank of Delaware: The Food Bank of Delaware, a member of Feeding America, formerly America’s Second Harvest, is a statewide nonprofit agency whose vision is a community free of hunger.

10. Friendship House: Based in New Castle County, Delaware, Friendship House is a non-profit, faith-based corporation serving individuals and families that are or are at risk of becoming homeless. Welcoming to all, Friendship House strives to serve as a sanctuary and stepping stone to those in need through the traditional spiritual ministries of hospitality, education, empowerment, and community.

To support Downtown Visions fiscally or through volunteering, click here. 

Post by Julia Mason of Enthusiasm Lab

Martin Hageman, Executive Director of Downtown Visions Sees Progress and Hope in The City of Wilmington

Curious what "The Vision" is in Downtown Visions? Downtown Visions is proud to devote an overwhelming share of its resources to highly visible and effective on-street programs such as the following:

• Business Marketing and Education
• Historic Building Preservation
• The Wilmington Farmer's Market
• Signage and Facade Improvement Programs 
• Security Gate Removal
• Cleaning Ambassadors
• Safety Ambassadors
• Small Business Saturday
• & Much More! 

Downtown Visions is a private, non-profit organization that manages the Business Improvement District in Wilmington. Our Main Street® program not only saves historic buildings, but also focuses on small business recruitment, business marketing and promotion, all of which work towards the greater effort of creating new jobs.

To support Downtown Visions fiscally or through volunteering, click here. 

 Video Directed and Produced by www.mosaiceaststudios.com

Post by Julia Mason of Enthusiasm Lab