8:31 a.m., Aug. 14, 2014--Public Allies Delaware, a program of the University of Delaware Center for Community Research and Service, has won the National Impact Award, the highest honor awarded among the 23 regional networks.
The Delaware chapter was recognized for its ongoing and consistent
effort to help program participants turn their 10-month apprenticeship
experiences into long-term community contributions.
Tina Morrow, Delaware director, said was pleased to be recognized but
quickly turned the attention back to the Allies, noting that one of the
key lessons she has learned is to get out of the way.
These young leaders are highly self-motivated, Morrow said. Our
job is to hold them accountable to their dreams and aspirations and
support their creativity, energy and passion."
The state organization also was presented with the Alumni Engagement
Award for model programming in communications, professional development
support. Shefon Taylor, of the Public Allies Classes of 2011 and 2012,
was on hand to accept the award.
Both awards were given during the farewell celebration for national
Public Allies CEO Paul Schmitz, who announced his intention to end his
21-year tenure with the organization earlier this year.
Delaware Public Allies co-founder Tony Allen, a UD alumnus and member
of the Universitys Board of Trustees, joined the festivities, as
well.
"What a great night, Allen said. A dear friend and colleague [Paul]
and my first love [Delaware] were honored for the same things --
giving voice to leadership, service and young people who can quite
literally, change the world. That's love in action."
Examples of work by the states Public Allies include the following:
Browntown
Partnering with the Browntown Civic Association to create a youth-led
civic association, the group started a basketball league that drew the
attention of the Philadelphia 76ers organization, which hosted a clinic
for the league in the summer of 2013.
A Public Allies-led collaboration between community leaders,
residents and local law enforcement helped to facilitate discussions
about civic participation in reducing the incidence of crime.
Downtown Wilmington
A Public Allies project centered on an affordable live/work rental
community for artists in downtown Wilmington that includes a tenant
association responsible for shows in the Lofts' gallery space, setting
ground rules for tenant use of community space, and building community
between resident artists.
North Brandywine Village
A partnership was developed with the city of Wilmington to work with
the North Brandywine neighborhood to create Friends of One Love Park, to
put in place an effort to maintain the park, and to work with other
entities in the city to help revitalize the neighborhood.
Simonds Gardens
A partnership was developed with the Rose Hill Community Center to
develop of a Youth Caf??. The caf?? helps youth develop entrepreneurial
skills and provides a valuable service to the community through the sale
of T-shirts and healthy snacks.
Westside
Public Allies was involved in creating a community garden and the
neighborhood farmers market, which has since evolved into the West Side
Grows initiative. This project received the 2011 City Life award for
partnership of the year.
About Public Allies
In April, Public Allies Delaware celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Since its founding, the AmeriCorps program has graduated more than
400 Public Allies who have contributed more than 750,000 hours of public
service to communities throughout the state.
Its longstanding partnership with UDs Center for Community Research
and Service is a model for young adult service organizations throughout
the country.
Originally published by UDaily
