Friendship House Newsletter
Summer 2021 | A Way Home
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Uniting people facing homelessness with loving, supportive communities they can call home. |
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THE TOP DOG AND JAMES - A FINES AND FEES STORY |
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"He is the Top Dog," James, a Hope Center resident, said about his dog Scruffy (pictured left). James and Scruffy moved into the NCC Hope Center in December and have been a welcomed presence. The two are frequently seen in the lobby interacting with staff and other residents. James has been chronically homeless most of his adult life and has had an ongoing relationship with Friendship House for over 20 years.
As the country shut down in response to COVID-10, many individuals found themselves presented with obstacles they have never had to deal with before, James was among them. He found himself without a job, without an ID, and facing barriers he didn't even know existed.
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Dear Friends,
We survive terrible circumstances because we have each other. This is the heart of community and what helps us feel at home. This was evident in so many ways these past 18 months. You assisted your neighbors by bringing them groceries while they quarantined. You supported local restaurants and businesses. You gave to agencies like Friendship House. This kind of support was also seen throughout the nation, and additional benefits were given to millions of Americans to avoid complete devastation.
People managed to maintain their housing and keep their families fed because of the financial aid offered through the COVID-19 Cares Act funding (read previous article about those without enough benefits here). With this additional funding people focused on how to make it through the worst pandemic we have ever faced. Shelters like the New Castle County Hope Center were able to open, while businesses and nonprofits continued serving. However, as the urgent response to the pandemic ceases, so do the benefits millions have relied on to keep them afloat.
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The support the Hope Center has received has assisted hundreds of individuals and families, and this includes several pets like Scruffy (read Jim and Scruffy’s story here). Friendship House has partnered with Faithful Friends to ensure all guests with an animal companion receive the care they need. Sarah Granda, Marketing and Public Relations Manager for Faithful Friends, shared, “By providing basic and urgent veterinary care, pet food, and care packages that include treats, blankets, sweaters, and toys, we are keeping pets out of local animal shelters and with the families they love.”
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For some individuals and families, these pets are their service or companion animal. “We understand that pets provide emotional support to their owners and enrich the lives of those around them,” Sarah added.
“In spite of everything they have been through, [the animals] are certainly loved and in good shape,” said Nancy Correll (pictured left), a Faithful Friends volunteer. Nancy shared with us the joys of what she does, recalling an individual who had been living in his car with his two dogs. Nancy, along with our staff walked with them on their journey. They are now in permanent housing and Nancy recalled, “the dogs maintained their well-being the whole time [they] were here.”
"We feel strongly that accessible services are vital for an equitable community and we enjoy working alongside the Friendship House team to support pets and people in our community" - Sarah Granda
Thanks to you, our loving supportive community, we have been able to provide families, individuals, and their animal companions with the attention and resources that they deserve.
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And because of your loving support, we are one step closer to that goal. |
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The Friendship House Clothing Bank School Uniform Initiative was developed out of an identified need in our community as the many impacts of the pandemic began to surface. One of these impacts is the barrier for families to provide their children with the necessary items to be successful in the classroom due to their financial situation. The consequences can be significant when they show up to school out of dress code. In some instances they can miss class time or face disciplinary actions to rectify the issue. We are working hard to ensure that students have access to proper dress code items, like school uniforms, regardless of their financial situation. No child should be singled out because they do not have access to a basic need. |
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There are students in Delaware public schools who are struggling to obtain the required dress code uniform: solid color polo shirt and khaki/navy pant. In collaboration with school district personnel, principals, resource counselors, and other administrators we are working to meet the needs of the community. For the upcoming school year, we will be providing 2,000 students, throughout 5 targeted schools in the Red Clay Consolidated School District, with uniform items.
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One of our participating schools for the 2021-2022 school year is Emaela P. Warner Elementary School. They are a Title I Community School within the City of Wilmington, serving a large population of students and families on the North and West sides of Wilmington. Jolisa Baker, Site Coordinator for Warner Elementary, explained that, “For Warner, the [School] Uniform Initiative will help several families send their children to school in their uniform at the beginning of the year and throughout the year.”
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Because of you, we have 2,500 uniform items in our inventory! These items will be distributed to the schools at the end of August. But this is just the start! Each year our initiative will grow, and we will continue expanding our reach until we are able to ensure every student in Delaware has a school uniform. Our vision is large, but we are committed to do what it takes; your loving support is what will help us reach this goal.
For more information and ways to help, please click here.
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HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE |
Since the Delaware State of Emergency is ending, we brace for additional hardships our community will face. We are asking for your help! Did you know it costs $4,600 dollars a day to run Friendship House? Your donation of $100 dollars could provide 2 residents in our Transitional Housing program subsidized housing for a day. Your donation of $250 could keep a household’s electricity on for a month. Your donation of $1,000 could support 25 families staying at the Hope Center for a day. |
Did you know most individuals give a one time donation at the end of the calendar year?
A monthly donation is the best way to help us sustain our mission.
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT |
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Because of you, we raised over $73,000 for the Highmark Walk! |
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Thank you so much for walking, fundraising, and donating to the 2021 Virtual Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community. Because of your dedication, this year’s walk was a huge success! We had 29 walk teams, registered over 500 walkers, and raised over $73,000. On June 5th, you came together in virtual community to support our life-changing, life-saving programs. We are so grateful for the turnout we had and we hope you felt part of our virtual walk family. You walked in 16 different states! You walked in parks, on beaches, in neighborhoods, while mowing the lawn, to the mailbox and back, or with other FH supporters. |
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Your walk for #AWayHome helps us fill the gaps in New Castle County. $73,000 can keep our Clothing Bank running for 6 months. This includes supporting our Job Training Program and School Uniform Initiative. $73,000 can provide financial assistance to nearly 300 households. Our Financial Assistance program helps Delawareans keep their electricity running.$73,000 can support our residents in our Transitional Housing program for 6 weeks. Our housing program supports up to 35 individuals at a given time. You make our programs possible! Our Financial Assistance program helps Delawareans keep their electricity running. $73,000 can support our residents in our Transitional Housing program for 6 weeks. Our housing program supports up to 35 individuals at a given time. You make our programs possible! |
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SAVE THE DATE
ANNUAL PARTY
OCTOBER 7, 2021
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Help us better connect with you — our loving, supportive community! Click the link below and that will take you directly to our survey.
It will take approximately 5 — 10 minutes to complete and all questions are optional.
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YOUR INVESTMENT MAKES AN IMPACT |
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- THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVING SUPPORT - |
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Friendship House Inc | PO BOX 1517, Wilmington, DE 19899
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