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This article originally appeared in Delaware’s Cape Gazette.
Hispanic families in Delaware are benefiting from increased access to education and healthcare with the support of $677,841 in grants from the Arsht-Cannon Fund, an endowed fund at the Delaware Community Foundation. This year, more than $350,000 was awarded to organizations serving Hispanic communities in Sussex County.
Some of the 2017-18 grants were awarded in June, and the remainder were in November. Over the past 13 years, the ACF has invested nearly $9 million in Delaware nonprofits focused on education, healthcare and youth, with a particular focus on improving the lives of Hispanic Delawareans. As Hispanic communities benefit, the quality of life for all Delawareans improves.
Award recipients include the organizations and projects listed.
Lutheran Church of Our Savior’s English as a Second Language Program will receive $50,000 over two years. Program volunteers help approximately 150 adults and their children learn to read, write and speak English.
Friends of Milton Public Library and Friends of Garfield Park Library received $5,500. In partnership with the Delaware Hispanic Commission, the libraries hold the annual celebration of Latino culture and community at the Milton Public Library in Sussex County. For the first time this year, the celebration will be held at the new Route 9 Library and Innovation Center in New Castle County.
Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council Inc.’s ESL and Low Income Tax Clinic received $25,000. The clinic helps Latino immigrant families statewide resolve tax issues.
Sussex Tech Adult Education’s Healthy Snacks for 21st CCLC received $8,500 to provide snacks and food for its after-school programs and field trips.
Summer Learning Collaborative Inc. was awarded $36,000. This successful summer camp program, which focuses on reducing the summer learning gap for middle school-aged children in low-income families, expanded to Sussex County during summer 2017.
La Esperanza Community Center’s Youth Immigration Advocacy Program received $20,000. A youth advocacy program is being planned to support the development, academic success and rights of Latino youth in its surrounding Georgetown community.
Leading Youth through Empowerment received $12,000 to expand capacity to recruit, enroll and engage Latino eighth- through 12th-grade students in its college access, after-school and summer programs.
TeenSHARP Inc.’s College Access Ambassador Program received $20,000 to recruit additional Latino high school students into its program, which expands college access for students of color.
TeenSHARP Inc.’s Delaware Goes to College Academies received $34,000 for providing academic advising and coaching for college admission for up to 600 Delaware qualified youth during the 2017-18 school year.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness Delaware’s Hispanic Services Initiative received $75,000 over two years. The funds will be used to expand outreach to the Hispanic community to increase knowledge of mental illness and reduce barriers to access of care in Kent and Sussex counties.
Ronald McDonald House of Delaware’s Housing Program for Delaware’s Hispanic Families received $10,000 to expand support services for Latino families staying at the Ronald McDonald House while their child is receiving care at a local hospital.
Sussex County Health Coalition received $50,000 to facilitate an environmental health assessment focused on behavioral health and expanding school-based mental/behavioral programs to Latino students.
Rodel Foundation’s Social Emotional Learning Landscape Study received $20,000. The study provides critical information on Delaware’s SEL efforts, student needs, evidence-based practices, evaluation measures, and advice to scale up successful efforts and align with needs.
Rodel Foundation’s English Learners in Delaware was awarded $20,000. In partnership with the Delaware Hispanic Commission’s Education Committee, the program conducts data collection and analysis to address educational disparities and secure state funding for English learners.
Delaware Campaign for Achievement Now received $60,000. The program engages students, parents, communities, teachers, and organizations to urgently advocate for educational policies for student success – higher graduation rates, test scores and college enrollments for Latino students.
UnidosUS (formerly National Council of La Raza) received $5,000: In partnership with the Rodel Foundation, developing advocacy and awareness plans for English learners in Delaware.
The Arsht-Cannon Fund was created in 2004 from the estate of the Hon. Roxana Cannon Arsht and S. Samuel Arsht. Roxana Cannon Arsht was the first woman to be appointed to serve as a Delaware judge, while her husband S. Samuel Arsht was well respected for overhauling Delaware’s General Corporation Law. Their daughter Adrienne Arsht said, “My parents’ desires to invest in the needs of the times – supporting the best interests of a civil society – are actualized by supporting this newest wave of immigrants.”
“We’re honored to partner with a growing number of Hispanic-serving nonprofits that provide life-changing opportunities for integration, learning and health,” said ACF Executive Director Dr. Christine Cannon. “Our Hispanic families face unique challenges that require understanding, culturally sensitive approaches, and expert program bilingual staff and volunteers who care deeply.”
“We’re proud of the impact of the Arsht-Cannon Fund,” said DCF President and CEO Stuart Comstock-Gay. “The focus on Hispanic families fosters a community where everyone can feel welcome and succeed. Supporting a diverse and healthy community is at the core of the DCF’s mission.”
The mission of the Delaware Community Foundation is to build a shared vision for Delaware, grounded in knowledge, inspired by the common good and advanced through philanthropy. As a facilitator, information resource and manager of charitable funds, the DCF helps communities and philanthropists focus charitable resources for the greatest community benefit statewide. For more information, go to www.delcf.org or call 302-571-8004.