Living United: August/September 2011

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photo by: Captured Concepts

Learn how $tand By Me is helping Delawareans reach their long-term financial goals!

August - September 2011

A message from Michelle A. Taylor

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United Way of Delaware

August - September 2011

President and Chief Executive Officer, United Way of Delaware Dear Friends, The 2011 Campaign season is upon us! Through our annual campaign, United Way of Delaware (UWD) funds more than 100 community programs that make meaningful, measurable improvements in our communities.

Our focus on Education, Income and Health ensures that your contributions are invested wisely and with an eye on long-term impact, as these three areas are the building blocks to a better quality of life. Over the past year, for example: We invested in early care and education by funding centers enrolled in the Delaware Stars quality improvement program and advocating for the increased funding recently allocated to these centers

by Governor Jack Markell. UWD continues to work cooperatively with the Department of Education to make sure that this additional state funding is used as efficiently as possible, with the greatest impact on Delaware children.

We launched the $tand By Me™ ($BM) program in partnership with the State of Delaware. This issue and previous issues of Living United have highlighted this unique financial coaching model. The first $BM center, located in the Hudson State Service Center in Newark, officially opened in May 2011 with a ceremony led by Governor Jack Markell. Within six weeks of opening, the center was already serving more than 120 people, putting us on pace to exceed our goal of conducting 500 sessions in the first 12 months of operation.

We connected more than 6,000 uninsured Delawareans to healthcare services, through the Healthy Delawareans Today & Tomorrow (HDTT) coalition. Convened by UWD with support from AstraZeneca, HDTT has connected nearly 45,000 uninsured Delawareans to services, such as transportation and patient navigation, since the program’s inception in 2007.

In our five-year strategic plan, Live United 2015: A Plan to Improve the Quality of Life in Delaware, we outline several important community goals to reach by 2015.

These goals are ambitious, but achievable through continued partnership and collaboration .

As the 2011 Campaign kicks off, I urge you to show your support for these community programs and be generous.

Please Live United with us and support the 2011 Campaign.

Thank you!

CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIR

SUSSEX COUNTY CHAIR

Dr. Robert J. Laskowski, MD, MBA Christiana Care Health Care System, Inc.

CHAIR OF THE BOARD

*Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald Caesar Rodney School District

**Ted Becker City of Lewes

TREASURER

HUMAN RESOURCE CHAIR

GENERAL COUNSEL

Edmund Green KPMG LLP

Maritza Poza-Grise DuPont

Barry M. Willoughby, Esquire Young, Conaway, Stargatt & Taylor LLP

AUDIT COMMITTEE CHAIR

COMMUNITY IMPACT CHAIR

MEMBER-AT-LARGE

Tom Josiah Tom Josiah Consulting

George Guido AstraZeneca

Philip Reese Delaware Public Employees Retirement System

SECRETARY

LABOR CHAIR

Rodger Levenson WSFS Bank

Gwendolyn Lane Delaware State American Postal Workers Union

Joseph L. Yacyshyn Wilmington Trust Company

MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAIR

PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

David Owen Bank of America

Michelle A. Taylor United Way of Delaware

STRATEGIC STEERING COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR Timothy J. Constantine Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware

MEMBER-AT-LARGE

CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIR KENT COUNTY CHAIR

Gary R. Stockbridge Delmarva Power

*Michelle R. Brown Catalyst Enterprises International

Board of Directors Presiding Elder Winton Hill Delaware Conference, Dover District African Methodist Episcopal Church

Tom Apple University of Delaware Jason Betz Betz & Associates, a Private Wealth Advisory Practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Chris Buccini Buccini/Pollin Group, Inc. Tabatha L. Castro, Esquire The Castro Firm, Inc. Dr. Maxine Colm Camden County College Diane Gulyas DuPont Performance Polymers

Tom Shoemaker TD Bank Helen M. Stewart JPMorgan Chase

*Wayne Holden Community Leader *Dr. William N. Johnston Wesley College

Dr. Jack P. Varsalona Wilmington University **Sandra Ware Grubb & Ellis Company

Betsy Lee AAA Mid-Atlantic

Marietta “Peaches” Whalen Delaware State C.A.P. Council UAW

Antoine Oakley Evraz Claymont Steel

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS *Douglas R. Phillips Horty & Horty, P.A.

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

Paul C. Seitz CPA, CVA Seitz Consulting, LLC

Fred C. Sears, II Delaware Community Foundation

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

Kent County Committee

Kenneth R. Anderson Delaware Economic Development Office Linda Chick Chick’s Harness & Supply, Inc. Rev. Lonnie Harris Ecclesia Family Worship Center Dave Hill Clear Channel Radio Nelson Hill Community Leader

Michelle A. Taylor

Executive Committee

www.uwde.org

Sussex County Committee

Erica L. Howell Student United Way at Wesley College

John Allen Pepco Holdings, Inc.

Jeanine Kleimo Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing

Gene Dvornick Town of Georgetown

Janie Libby Dover Downs Hotel & Casino

Ritchie Francia Fulton Bank

Barbara Smith Burris Logistics

Patti Grimes Joshua M. Freeman Foundation

Eleanor Vernice Siyon Inner City Cultural League, Inc.

Kim Tephabock Dagsboro Church of God

Miguel Wallace Procter & Gamble / Dover Wipes Company

Seandra Sims Sims Media & PR

United Way of Delaware is pleased to introduce three additions to its Board of Directors by Pam George www.uwde.org

August - September 2011

United Way of Delaware

Betsy Lee

Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Distribution AAA Mid-Atlantic

Betsy Lee has long supported United Way, so when the opportunity came to serve on the board, she was eager to participate. “My hope is that the professional experience and perspectives that I have from being a leader in the Wilmington business community will allow me to make a meaningful contribution,” she says.

Prior to AAA, she worked for MBNA America and Bank of America in such areas as business lending, customer satisfaction, consumer finance, credit and Human Resources. “Any role I can play supporting UWD fundraising and the organization’s effectiveness will be a privilege.”

Jason Betz

Private Wealth Advisor / President

Betz & Associates, a Private Wealth Advisory Practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Jason Betz, a financial advisor since 1998, was an ideal choice to chair United Way of Delaware’s investment committee. Now the board will benefit from the certified financial planner’s background. “If I can lend my experience as a small business owner and a financial consultant to help forward the progress of what’s already a great organization then I’d consider that a great accomplishment,” he says. Betz, also a Salvation Army board member, appreciates UWD’s ability to identify and address Delawareans’ needs. “It’s very comforting as donors to know the resources we entrust to UWD are effectively utilized,” says Betz.

Rev. Winton M. Hill III

Presiding Elder of the Delaware Conference, Dover District African Methodist Episcopal Church No stranger to United Way, Rev. Winton Hill has been involved with the organization for more than 40 years. “It’s one of the most efficient charity organizations that I know about,” he says. “It helps a lot of people.” Hill, who grew up in Newark, N.J., began preaching at age 17. He’s been a university pastor, a VA hospital chaplain and a U.S. Army chaplain. In 2004, he became presiding elder of the New Brunswick District of the New Jersey Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

In 2005, he moved to the Philadelphia District, and in 2008, he was transferred to Dover. As a board member, he wants to address community impact issues related to education, income and health, particularly in Kent and Sussex counties.

photo by: Paul Pruitt

How I Live United

I’m Gordon DelGiorno, producer at Film Brothers Productions in downtown Wilmington. I often say that people should help others without expecting anything in return.

This can be difficult. We are all busy, and we all have different priorities. But all people -family members, loved ones, coworkers, perfect strangers -- need and deserve to feel valued. And I think the old adage is true -- you get what you give. So I try my best to give my time to others. And I find that when I do, the people I’ve helped always seem to reappear in my life and help me in some way. Compassion comes full circle. So, every day, I do my best to live and work selflessly. And that’s how I Live United.

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Program “Stands by” Delawareans in Financial Need

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United Way of Delaware

August - September 2011

www.uwde.org

Volunteer coaches help customers work toward long-term financial goals

offers o n e - o n - o n e c o n s u l t a t i o n o n t o p i c s i n c l u d i n g budgeting, saving strategies, and college and financial aid applications. Administered by West End Neighborhood House, the free program is available to everyone, regardless of income level.

Salomon, who had been through bankruptcy and a foreclosure, told the onsite financial coach that she was determined to rebuild her life, but she was too frightened to find out her credit score. But with her coach’s encouragement, she found out the information she needed and was relieved that her score was not as bad as she thought it would be.

The coach gave Salomon tips on how to raise her score even higher. “It really boosted my confidence,” she says. “She was very positive; I felt like she truly was standing by me.”

The center is already serving more than 120 people. “Clients have all kinds of issues and challenges pertaining to money,” says Mary Dupont, Director of Financial Empowerment for the State of Delaware. Some want to save for a goal, such as moving out of their parents’ home or starting a business. Salomon and her coach talked photo by: Captured Concepts about starting a college fund for her children.

“Zita demonstrates the powerful effect of having a coach to Zita Salomon (left) and her financial coach, Irma Rodriguez, discuss Zita’s goals, which include talk to about financial issues,” starting a college fund for her children.

Dupont notes. “She’s moving on

by Pam George to identify goals with a positive feeling about her future.” one year, Zita Salomon lost her job and her home in Florida. $tand by Me partners plan to expand the program She relocated to Delaware because she saw the state as a good to include new sites such as grocery stores, hotels and place to raise her three children. student-oriented sites on college campuses and to She discovered the $tand by Me Financial Empowerment Center while target specific populations, including youth who are visiting the Hudson State Service Center in Newark, looking for help aging out of foster care. To volunteer as a coach or for getting back on her feet. A partnership between United Way of Delaware, more information, go to www.standbymede.org or call the State of Delaware and a coalition of community partners, the free program (302) 283-5562.

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United Way supports these others like it

EDUCATION INC

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August - September 2011

www.uwde.org

United Way of Delaware

UW5

Putting Youth to Work

photo by: Captured Concepts

photo by: Captured Concepts

Christopher Minor puts together an order for Bright Brittany Houghton, Amanda Zurlo and Shantee Handy assist a customer at the Cool Spring Farmers Market – another program run by Bright Spot Ventures to teach youth marketable skills.

Spot Ventures’ online book-selling business.

Multifaceted program helps adolescents in foster care

by Pam George

When it comes to breaking ground in business, Bright Spot Ventures is on the cutting edge. It’s the first Delaware business run by employees who are in foster care situations or who have recently “aged out” of foster care (reached age 18).

It’s unique in other respects. Bright Spot Ventures runs both an online book-selling business and a farmers market.

Bright Spot Ventures is part of West End Neighborhood House, a United Way partner agency whose Life Lines initiative helps foster-care youth become self-sufficient via mentoring, advocacy, life-skills training and housing. And now, employment training.

Employment was a missing link. “How can you learn to budget when you can’t afford the next meal?” says Carolyn Gordon, program manager. “How can you save when you have no job and no bank account? We plugged in a social enterprise. The best job training is a job.”

Bright Spot Ventures, which receives support from Barclays Bank, can employ up to 15 youth, ages 16 to 24, at any give time during nine-month cycles. In space donated by Wise Power Systems in New Castle, the employees sell donated books, DVDs and CDs online.

The Rockford Center and Barclays have held book and media drives to collect donations and the Delaware River & Bay Authority and John Carney’s Congressional office are slated to hold drives in August.

The program also runs the Cool Spring Farmers

of Delaware e programs and as part of its

COME HEALTH

lar. rectly to a pillar ke a donation!

Market at 10th and North Van Buren streets, which runs Thursdays, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., through Sept. 15.

The program’s goal is to transition the employees into the next job, college or a trade program. Bright Spot Ventures provides site visits and externships to companies so that the youth can discover the skills required for a chosen career. “If they want that career, it may take college,” Gordon says. “It’s a way to spark an interest in higher education via employment. We want to get them on the right track and help them stay on the right track.”

For more information regarding Bright Spot Ventures or to schedule a donation pick-up, contact Carolyn Gordon at (302) 658-2800.

To donate books, DVDs and CDs to Bright Spot Ventures, drop items at: West End Neighborhood House 710 North Lincoln St. Wilmington (302) 658-4171 or Bright Spot Ventures 43 Harbor View Dr. New Castle (302) 658-2800

photo by: Ashley Randolph

Local farms provide produce for Cool Spring Farmers Market.

United Way of Delaware

August - September 2011

www.uwde.org

photo by: Tom Nutterlives

UW6

Elizabeth Campbell and Nelson Hill volunteer at the National Day of Action in Washington, D.C. These Kent County volunteers helped stuff backpacks with children’s books, along with other volunteers from across the country.

UWD staff take a moment with children from First State School in Wilmington Hospital, after giving them backpacks full of books. From left to right, the children are: Heniah, Madison, Kiara, Samsan, Zie and Maura.

United Way Assigns Summer Reading!

Throughout the summer, United Way of Delaware (UWD) has been distributing backpacks full of summer reading books to agencies throughout the state.

UWD acquired 4,000 of these backpacks during United Way’s National Day of Action on June 21. On that day, more than 30 Delaware volunteers went to National Mall in Washington, D.C., joining thousands of others from across the country, to pack 50,000 backpacks for distribution across the country.

The Delaware State C.A.P. Council UAW coordinated this volunteer opportunity, from mobilizing the volunteers to arranging for transportation to unloading the books once they returned to Delaware.

Did you know?

• Studies have shown that children can lose what they have learned during the school year, if their minds are not engaged over the summer months. So keep your children reading over the break!

• On-time reading comprehension is critical. Children need to “learn to read” early, because for the rest of their lives, they need to “read to learn.” So, encourage your children to read!

New Campaign Co-Chair will focus on Kent and Sussex

by Pam George

Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald

Caesar Rodney School District has made working with United Way of Delaware a top priority, says Dr. Kevin R. Fitzgerald, Superintendent of the district. “As an administrator, I saw its importance… and as a resident of Delaware, I witnessed the positive impact it has on the community in general and specifically our children,” says Fitzgerald, who joined the district in 1991 as the high school assistant principal.

This year, he’ll have a chance to help boost that impact. He’s chairing the 2011 fundraising campaign, along with Gary Stockbridge, President of Delmarva Power, who also served last year.

Fitzgerald, who served on UWD’s Kent County Committee, hopes to build on the foundation established by 2010 Co-chair and Lewes City Councilman Ted Becker and continue to increase downstate participation.

“We’re moving forward,” Fitzgerald says. “We understand how important it is for those who depend on us to meet our goal.”

www.uwde.org

New Castle County Get-Together

Giving on the Greens Golf Tournament

August - September 2011

United Way of Delaware

UW7

photo by: Paul Pruitt

UWD’s Annual Giving on the Greens golf tournament benefits the Community Impact Fund, which supports health and human service programs statewide. UWD would like to thank all of the golfers and sponsors who made this year’s tournament — held at DuPont Country Club — a success!

UWD’s Shawn Stevens catches up with Ted Van Name, President and CEO of Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County.

Michelle Taylor, President and CEO of United Way of Delaware, and Dr. Bob Laskowski, President and CEO of Christiana Care Health System, thank Connie Bond Stuart, President of PNC Bank, Delaware for her service on the Board of Directors.

Kent County Get-Together

Janie Libby, Vice President of Human Resources at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, talks with Kevin Fitzgerald, Superintendent of Caesar Rodney School District.

Walter McLain and Hafez Rozati accept their first-place awards from UWD’s Sandi Bowe.

Matt Haley, Co-Founder of SoDel Concepts, talked about how community involvement is critical to his business.

Bill Wade, Cindy Pendergrast (green sweater), Bob Hackett and Dave Stevens receive their awards for their second-place finish from UWD’s Sandi Bowe. Bob Hackett is Senior Vice President of Arthur Hall Insurance, the tournament sponsor.

United Way of Delaware Upcoming Events

2011 Kent & Sussex Campaign Kickoff / Ferry Excursion Saturday, August 6 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Cape May-Lewes Ferry 43 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, DE We’re setting sail on a special campaign kickoff. Although tickets are sold out, you can still participate by donating an item for the silent auction. All proceeds will benefit UWD’s 2011 Campaign. Call Michael Shockley at (302) 856-7884 or Debbie Armstrong at (302) 734-4779 for more information.

Sold Out!

2011 New Castle County Campaign Kickoff & AFL-CIO Community Services Golf Classic Friday, September 9 Check-in/Registration: 7:15 a.m. - 8 a.m.

Tee-off shortly after 8 a.m.

Back Creek Golf Club 101 Back Creek Drive, Middletown To register, contact UWD’s Robin Lichtenfels at (302) 573-3769 or Tom Callahan at (302) 456-3506.

UW8

United Way of Delaware

August - September 2011

www.uwde.org

United Way of Delaware The Linden Building, Third Floor 625 North Orange Street Wilmington, DE 19801

Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID Permit #194 Wilmington, DE

Kent County Office Greater Dover Foundation Community Building Suite #2B 101 West Loockerman Street Dover, DE 19904 Sussex County Office 206 Academy Street Suite #2 Georgetown, DE 19947 AFL-CIO Community Services 698 Old Baltimore Pike Newark, DE 19702

Wilmington attorney takes on major gifts initiative

by Pam George

William D. Johnston became aware of United Way at an early age. “I saw firsthand the results of the support United Way provided to organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America,” he says. The Eagle Scout later became a leader of his former troop.

As an adult, he witnessed United Way of Delaware’s support of nonprofits such as Children and Families First of Delaware.

Already a contributor, the attorney decided to join the Tocqueville Society. Now, he is the newly selected chair of the Society.

Founded in 1991 to deepen individual support of United Way’s work, the Tocqueville Society is made up of philanthropic leaders who give $10,000 or more to United Way each year.

This is not Johnston’s first hands-on role with UWD. In 2010, he was the Legal Sector chair on the Campaign Cabinet. And at his firm, Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP, he’s taken the

lead in encouraging campaign contributions.

He acknowledges that the economy has affected giving across all levels. But, as the Society’s chair, he plans to work with UWD staff to thank current members for their participation and to promote their continued involvement. He also will work to increase Society membership, both on his own and by encouraging current members to recruit other philanthropic community leaders.

“Tocqueville Society members are eligible for programs like the Personal Giving Fund, which is a great way to coordinate the charitable giving that they’re likely already doing,” he explains. “And, with that coordination, they not only relieve themselves of administrative headaches, but — as lead givers in the community — they encourage others to give to the benefit of all.”

William Johnston, Esq.