LIVING UNITEDOctober - November 2010

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Call (302) 573-3700 or visit www.uwde.org

HOW TO LIVE UNITED IN DELAWARE:OPEN YOUR HEART. LEND YOUR MUSCLE. FIND YOUR VOICE.

GIVE 10%. GIVE 100%. GIVE 110%.GIVE AN HOUR. A DAY. A WEEKEND.

THINK OF WE BEFORE ME.

GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER.

LIVE UNITEDTM

A message fromMichelle A. Taylor

Dear Friends,United Way of Delaware

(UWD) jo ined Vis ion 2015partners for the Annual LeadershipForum on Sept. 28.The day-longseminar, Delaware’s Race toDeliver, focused on Delaware’sprogress toward building a betterpublic education system. Leadersfrom the government, nonprofit andcorporate sectors joined togetherto discuss implementation of the

state’s public education plan.Although most people believe that all children

need and deserve an equally stimulating andhigh-quality education, this is not yet the reality inDelaware.Thousands of our children still fall throughthe cracks in our schools, and it’s often the childrenwho are compromised in other ways – either theycome from families with lower incomes or live incommunities that are struggling with drugs orviolence. These children illustrate Delaware’s criticalneed for an education system that refuses to let ourchildren fail.

When our children do not succeed in school, theyare more likely to participate in risky behaviors and lesslikely to become healthy, self-sufficient adults. And thataffects everyone in our state.

UWD is proud to be part of the discussions to levelthe playing field for our state’s children. Education isone of UWD’s three primary priorities, in addition to Incomeand Health, because we know how critical education is fora good quality of life.We also know that equal opportunityfor children starts with a healthy pregnancy and thatthe first five years of children’s lives are critical to putthem on the track for success.

UWD just launched our own Education goals aspart of our five-year strategy, Live United 2015: A Planto Improve the Quality of Life in Delaware. Our maineducation goals are to increase the quality of earlycare and education services and to help close the literacygap between low and not low-income populations.

The Annual Leadership Forum reinforced to Delawarethe power of collaboration. Everyone has a role to play,to support our children and our state’s future, whether it’ssupporting an initiative that’s making a difference,spreading the word about a program you believe in, orvolunteering to share your time and your skills.As MahatmaGandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Join us. Give. Advocate. Volunteer. Live United.

Sincerely,

Michelle A. Taylor

UW2 United Way of Delaware October - November 2010 www.uwde.org

CHAIR OF THE BOARDConnie Bond StuartPNC Bank, Delaware

PAST CHAIR OF THE BOARDDr. Robert J. Laskowski, MD, MBA

Christiana Care Health System, Inc.

TREASURER Edmund L. Green

KPMG LLP

AUDIT COMMITTEE CHAIRTom Josiah

Tom Josiah Consulting

SECRETARYRodger Levenson

Commercial BankingWSFS Bank Center

STRATEGIC STEERING CHAIRTimothy J. Constantine

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware

CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIRGary R. StockbridgePepco Holdings, Inc.

CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIRTed Becker**City of Lewes

HUMAN RESOURCES CHAIRMaritza Poza-Grise

DuPont

COMMUNITY IMPACT CHAIRGeorge GuidoAstraZeneca

LABOR CHAIRGwendolyn Lane

Delaware State AmericanPostal Workers Union

MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONSCHAIR

Joseph L. Yacyshyn Wilmington Trust Company

KENT COUNTY CHAIRDr. Michelle R. Brown*

Catalyst Enterprises International

SUSSEX COUNTY CHAIRSandra Ware**

Grubb & Ellis Company

GENERAL COUNSELBarry M. Willoughby, Esquire

Young, Conaway, Stargatt & Taylor LLP

MEMBER-AT-LARGEPhilip Reese

Delaware Public EmployeesRetirement System

MEMBER-AT-LARGELloyd WirshbaBarclaycard US

PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVEOFFICER

Michelle A. TaylorUnited Way of Delaware

Executive Committee

Tony AllenBank of America

Chris BucciniBuccini/Pollin Group, Inc.

Tabatha L. Castro, EsquireThe Castro Firm, Inc.

Linda Chick*Chick’s Harness & Supply, Inc.

Dr. Maxine ColmCommunity Leader

Chris FrysztackiCommunity Leader

Donald R. GagnonAAA Mid-Atlantic, Inc.

Diane GulyasDuPont Electronic and Communication

Technologies

Wayne Holden*Community Leader

Dr. William N. Johnston*Wesley College

Antoine OakleyCommunity Leader

David OwenBank of America

Douglas R. PhillipsHorty & Horty, P.A.

Gerald RochaElizabeth House Family Life Center

Paul C. Seitz CPA, CVASeitz Consulting, LLC

Timothy P. SheldonInternational Union of Bricklayers and

Allied Craftsmen

Tom ShoemakerTD Bank

Helen M. StewartJPMorgan Chase

Dr. Jack P. VarsalonaWilmington University

Marietta “Peaches”WhalenDelaware State C.A.P. Council UAW

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERSMuriel Gilman

Community Leader

Robert V. A. Harra, Jr.Wilmington Trust Company

Fred C. Sears IIDelaware Community Foundation

Patrick W. SterrettBoy Scouts of America, Del-Mar-VA Council, Inc.

Board of Directors

John AllenPepco Holdings, Inc.

Diaz BonvilleWestside New Beginnings

Ritchie FranciaDelaware National Bank

Patti GrimesJoshua M. Freeman

Foundation

Billy JohnsonHermann Financial Services

Kim TephabockDagsboro Church of God

Sussex County Committee

* These board members are also members of the Kent County Committee. ** These board members are also members of the Sussex County Committee.

Dr. Kevin FitzgeraldCaesar Rodney School District

Charles “Chuck” D. GarrisonDover Air Force Base

Rev. Lonnie HarrisEcclesia Family Worship Center

Dave HillClear Channel Radio

Nelson HillCommunity Leader

Alan KovitzElevations Unlimited

Janie LibbyDover Downs, Inc.

Seandra SimsSims Media & PR

Barbara SmithBurris Logistics

Harold E. StaffordThe Stafford Partnership Firm

Reuben SaltersCity of Dover

Kent County Committee

President and Chief Executive Officer,United Way of Delaware

www.uwde.org October - November 2010 United Way of Delaware UW3

Look whosupports

United Wayof Delaware

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UW4 United Way of Delaware October - November 2010 www.uwde.org www.uwde.org October - November 2010 United Way of Delaware UW5

Last fall, Tyche Harris, then 15, went to the Dennison branch of Girls Inc., a United Way of Delaware partner agency, in Wilmington’sBrowntown area. She was looking to earn volunteer hours for school. She discovered Aim High, a program for girls ages 12 to 18 that discussestopics such as self-confidence, education, and healthy lifestyles, including sexual health.

Impressed, Harris enrolled in the program. “It changed me a lot,” she says. “It helped me control my emotions and deal with situations.”Harris, now 16, promotes the organization. “Girls Inc. programs create a lot of opportunities,” she says. “They open so many doors for young

girls, and it’s something they can put on their college applications.”Girls Inc., which also has a Claymont branch and an outreach initiative, has a variety of programs that aim to mold girls into responsible,

educated and aware women. Operation SMART, for instance, encourages an interest in math, science and technology – fields where women arestill underrepresented. Project Bold teaches girls to defend themselves, and My Girlfriend Zelda! introduces girls ages 7 to 8 to basic anatomy.

Brenda Algar, Girl Inc.’s Executive Director, says the girls-only programming gives girls the freedom to speak their mind and ask questions. “In acoed environment, girls have traditionally deferred to boys,” she says. “They’re not as confident. In a safe environment, they can take positive chancesand master physical and intellectual challenges.”

Harris agrees. “You can express yourself; it’s a breath of fresh air,” she says.Female-focused programs are also critical because old stereotypes die hard, Vickery says. The media often portrays unhealthy female role

models. Even today, some girls report that science teachers tell them not to worry about mastering the subject since they may never need it.Meanwhile, adolescent pregnancy remains a pressing concern.

In addition to cultivating healthy and responsible young women, Girls Inc. also nourishes friendships. Harris calls her Girls Inc. friends “sisters.”“I will have these people in my life forever,” she says.

For more information on Girls Inc., call (302) 575-1041.

Reese Scott, 64, had nearly given up on learning computer skills. He’d tried three classes but quit eachtime. So when he registered for the eight-week Introduction to Computers class offered by One VillageAlliance (OVA), he told the instructor, “You have a problem child on your hands.”

“I didn’t think I was going to last,” recalls Scott, a shuttle driver for Union Park/BMW. But he found theinstructor easy to understand. “I finished the class and earned my certificate,” he says.

The class is part of One Village Alliance’s workforce development ini-tiative, which is supported by United Way of Delaware. The program’s mis-sion is to put families and individuals on the road to self-sufficiency.

OVA, founded by Chandra Pitts in 2009, is located in the Southbridgeneighborhood in East Wilmington, where there is a high unemploymentrate. Nearly 40 percent of residents did not graduate high school. “You arecrippled without a high school diploma,” Pitts says. “There are peoplewith white-collar degrees now who are competing for blue collar jobs.”

Basic computer skills are a must. Even retail stores like Target andHome Depot use onsite computers to take job applications, Pitts notes. Soif people don’t know how to use a computer, they cannot even apply.

OVA’s Workforce Development Initiative also includes Adult Basic Ed-ucation and GED classes. Employment development sessions help adults set career goals, write resumes, andlearn interview skills.

Suitable Men, an OVA mentoring program, provides professional attire to young men and offers sessionson finding employment or starting a business. “If you’re out of a job, fresh out of high school or just out of thepenal system, we can be your first stop,” Pitts says.

Scott says development programs like OVA’s are essential. “You have to adapt with the times to survive,” he says.

For more information on OVA, call (302) 656-2021 or visit www.iamthevillage.org.

Making girls strongby Pam George

Getting back to workTiana Russell is well aware of the violence that afflicts struggling Wilmington neighborhoods. But the seriousness of theproblem became painfully real when she joined the 15-member Participatory Action Research (PAR) Team, a group led bythe Wilmington HOPE Commission to reasearch the root causes of crime in Wilmington.

Russell was astounded at the high crime rate per capita. “You wouldn’t believe itbecause it’s such a small place,” she says of the state. To date, Wilmington’s homiciderecord is 26 murders in 2008, which is approximately 35 homicides per 100,000people, says Dr. Yasser A. Payne, the academic project leader. Payne is also an assis-tant professor of Black American Studies at the University of Delaware.

PAR is part of the HOPE Commission’s Safe Communities Employment andTraining Project, which seeks to create a safer community with residents’ input.PAR is a partnership with United Way of Delaware, Christina Cultural Arts Center,the University of Delaware, Delaware State University, Wilmington University andthe Metropolitan Urban League and is supported through a generous American Recovery and Relief Act grantadministered through First State Community Action Agency. The 48-week project, which started in Nov. 2009, ends Oct.31. The team members, the majority of whom are Wilmington residents, received rigorous training about research methodsand data collection.

“By using residents, we were assured the HOPE Commission and our partners would get a perspective from thepeople who are closest to and most affected by the crime and violence that continue to plague our community,” saysCharles A. Madden, Executive Director of the HOPE Commission.

Russell has learned about the low graduation rates and high incarceration rates on the East Side of Wilmington versus the WestSide and how this may be related to crime statistics. The data that the team members gathered will be used to develop solutionsand resident programs to make the communities safer. For Russell, it has been an eye-opening experience. “A lot of people don’trealize what’s going on in their surroundings,” she says. “We get also get a chance to tell people what we want.”

Participants have also gained marketable research skills, which may improve their job opportunities.“One of our goals was to provide the PAR team with relevant training that translates into improved career options beyond

the life of the PAR experience,” Madden says. “Several of the PAR members have accepted research positions in academiaand the nonprofit sector.” He says he’s confident the members will exit the project with marketable skills and valuable contacts,in addition to an increased perspective on the causes of violence, a renewed sense of empowerment and the toolsnecessary to advocate on behalf of our communities.

For more information on PAR Team and the Wilmington HOPE Commission, call (302) 573-3735 or visitwww.wilmingtonhopecommission.org

Creating HOPE for the future

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Team researches causes of local violence

Agency encourages education and health

Wilmington program teachesadults essential job skills

“If you’re out of a job,fresh out of high school

or just out of the penalsystem, we can be your

first stop.” – Chandra Pitts,

founder of One Village Alliance

The team members, themajority of whom are

Wilmington residents,received rigorous training

about research methods.

Ray Jones Avery (second from left), Executive Director of Christina Cultural Arts Center; Yasser A. Payne (third from left),PAR academic project leader; Deborah Wilson (fourth from left), President and CEO of the Metropolitan WilmingtonUrban League and Charles Madden, Executive Director of the Wilmington HOPE Commission stand with the PAR Team,which has been researching local violence. Tiana Russell is seated on the left.

Tyche Harris

Reese Scott

UW6 United Way of Delaware October - November 2010 www.uwde.org

THANK YOUto our 2010 Pacesetter contributors!

CompaniesAllstate Insurance CompanyArthur Hall InsuranceAstraZenecaAutoTeam DelawareBank of AmericaBarclaycard US -- DelawareBayard, P.A.Burris LogisticsC & S Wholesale GrocersCameras Etc., Inc.Cole, Schotz, Meisel, Forman & Leonard, P.A.Delmarva PowerDuPont CompanyFinocchiaro Landscape Company, Inc.Fraunhofer CMBGracelawn Memorial ParkJCPenneyKnotts, Inc.LF, LLCMorris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLPNew York LifePepcoPepper Hamilton, LLPPotter Anderson & Corroon, LLPPPG Industries, Inc.Proctor Heyman, LLPPublic Service Electric and Gas Co.Reed Smith, LLPRichards, Layton & Finger, P.A.Rosenthal, Monhait & Goddess, P.A.Saul Ewing, LLPStewart Management CompanyThe Stewart Law Firm, P.A.

TargetUnited Parcel ServiceUS AirwaysWalmartWholesale Janitor Supply CompanyWilliam N. Cann, Inc.Wilmington Trust CompanyWomble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLCYoung Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLPZenker & Styer, P.A.

Agencies / SchoolsAlzheimer’s Association - Delaware Valley Chapter American Lung AssociationAmerican Red Cross of the Delmarva PeninsulaThe Arc of DelawareBoy Scouts of America, Del-Mar-Va Council, Inc.Brandywine Community Resource CouncilCatholic CharitiesCHEERChildren & Families FirstChildren’s Advocacy Center of Delaware, Inc.Claymont Community Center Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. Delaware Adolescent Program, Inc.Delaware Center for Justice Delaware Financial Literacy Institute (The Money School)Delaware Guidance Services for Children and Youth

Delaware Volunteer Legal Services, Inc.Edgemoor Community CenterGenerations Home CareGirl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay CouncilGoodwill Industries of DelawareJessie Ball duPont FundKent-Sussex IndustriesLake Forest School DistrictLatin American Community Center Legal Services Corporation of DelawareLewes Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, Inc.Limen House, Inc.Mental Health Association in DelawareMilford Senior CenterThe Ministry of Caring, Inc.Modern Maturity Center MOT Senior CenterNeighborhood House, Inc.People’s Place II, Inc.Planned Parenthood of DelawareRead Aloud DelawareRonald McDonald House of DelawareThe Shepherd Place, Inc.Bernard and Ruth Siegel Jewish Community CenterSussex County CouncilUnited Negro College FundUnited Way of DelawareWest End Neighborhood HouseWilmington Head Start, Inc.Wilmington Senior Center

IndividualsMr. Jason A. BetzO. Francis Biondi, Esq.Mrs. Georgina M. BissellMrs. Joan R. Bolling, Jr.Mr. William J. BordasMrs. Margaret A. Bucciarelli-AndersonMr. and Mrs. Charles M. CawleyMr. Lawrence Coker, Jr.Gail and Bill DaigerMr. James DavidsonMr. J. Simpson Dean, Jr.Dr. and Mrs. Lanny EdelsohnDuncan and Linda FarquharMr. Charles L. FretzMs. Ann E. FullertonMrs. Muriel E. GilmanMr. and Mrs. John C. HaasMr. Bruce L. HammondsMr. and Mrs. George H. HopkinsMs. Janis C. NesterakMr. Edward J. NewmanMr. Norman M. OliverMs. Margaret PerkinsMr. Michael G. RhodesMr. Joseph M. SchellMr. Earl L. SwettMr. Howell F. Wallace, Jr.Ms. Doris WeaverMr. Samuel WenzerMr. Leonard J. Young, Sr.

By our Sept. 10 kickoff, the 2010 Campaign had raised $4.7 million toward our $21-million goal — nearly double what we had raised by this time last year! Thank you for your generous early donations. Together, we are improving the quality of life for all Delawareans.

GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER. LIVE UNITED.

A special thank you to the Tocqueville Society for their participation in the 2010 Pacesetter Campaign.

Donors who participate in the more than 1,000 statewide corporate campaigns are not recognized individually, but your gifts are critical to the success of our mission. Thank you for your support.

*List as of 9/23/2010

*

www.uwde.org October - November 2010 United Way of Delaware UW7

UWD depends on its Loaned Executives to assist with thefundraising campaign. Pictured, from left to right: JohnMcMahan from Delmarva Power, Teri Quinn Grayand Linda Micallef from DuPont, Lisa Oberdorf fromDelmarva Power, and Sally Harrison, Kyle Poyta andBibiana Vazquez from DuPont.

Governor Jack Markell, at right, joins United Way Worldwide(UWW) President and CEO Brian Gallagher and UWD’sJohn Moore. Gallagher visited Delaware on Sept. 8 for aVIP breakfast hosted by Barclays. He met with UWDleadership and invited guests and spoke about UWW'sstrategic direction and its evolving communityengagement strategies. Governor Jack Markellwelcomed the group and spoke about the state'scommitment to education.

UWD kicked off its 2010 Campaign on Sept. 10. Tocelebrate the kickoff in Kent County, UWD joined theDover Interfaith Mission for Housing (DIMH) at theribbon cutting for its new shelter. Here, Ted Becker,Lewes City Councilman and UWD Campaign Co-Chair, speaks to the more than 200 attendees aboutthe importance of giving back.

John Moore, UWD’s Vice President, ResourceDevelopment and Strategic Partnerships,speaks at the start of the Wilmington Blue Rocksgame on Sept. 4. The Blue Rocks promotedUWD at this game, rocketing Live United shirtsinto the crowd and playing a UWD video on thebig screen.

2010 CampaignKickoff

President of United WayWorldwide visits Delaware

UWD at the Blue Rocks!

Loaned ExecutivesSupport Campaign

Local Girls ScoutsLive United

Jeanine Kleimo, Chair of DIMH, cuts the ribbon forthe new shelter, with DIMH Board member WalterWagley, Dover Mayor Carleton Carey and DIMHBoard member Herb Konowitz. In the past two years,the DIMH has provided shelter and meals to morethan 300 homeless men.

Thank you to the ladies of Girl Scout Troop 42, who recentlyrepainted UWD’s Born Learning Trail at Iron Hill Park inNewark! Here, they are pictured with co-leader MichaelMitchell, who is dressed as a Thin Mint. UWD has created threeother Born Learning Trails in Delaware: in Glasgow Park, in SilverLake Park in Middletown and in Big Oak Park in Smyrna.

United Way of DelawareThe Linden Building, Third Floor625 North Orange StreetWilmington, DE 19801

Non-Profit Org.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPermit #194

Wilmington, DE

UW8 United Way of Delaware October - November 2010 www.uwde.org

AFL-CIO Community Services698 Old Baltimore PikeNewark, DE 19702

Sussex County Office206 Academy StreetSuite #2Georgetown, DE 19947

Kent County OfficeGreater Dover Foundation Community BuildingSuite #2B101 West Loockerman StreetDover, DE 19904

Fast Forward Your Financial Future at the National Save for Retirement Week Kickoff ConferenceOctober 16, 2010Chase Center on the Riverfront9 a.m. – 2 p.m.Learn about financial issues related to retirement at this conference, presented by the Office of the State Treasurer as part ofthe National Save for Retirement Week. This event is open to the public. Register by calling 1-877-307-6858 or logging on towww.delawaremoneyschool.com

Upcoming events

Do you have any questions or comments about “Living United?”Contact our editor at (302) 573-3751 or editor@uwde.org.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Purses to Portfolios ConferenceOctober 23, 2010Chase Center on the Riverfront8 a.m. – 2 p.m.More than 14 financial workshops, tailored for women. Includes workshops on credit, entrepreneurship, budgeting and homeownership. This event is free, but registration is required! Register at http://register.dfli.org or call 1-888-846-4220. Free bustransportation will be available from central locations in Georgetown and Dover. Call for more information.

College Night 2010October 28, 2010Howard High School of Technology401 East 12th Street, Wilmington(Parking is available at the school)5:30 – 8:00 p.m.Meet with representatives from local colleges and universities as well as schools outside of the region, to learn which one may be right for you.Wilmington Trust is pleased to serve as the premier sponsor for this event.