A $2M collaborative aims to improve vital conditions in neighborhoods across Delaware

Wilmington Alliance, Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project and the La Esperanza are among the 35 organizations in the Healthy Communities Delaware (HCD) network that will receive grants to support placed-based, community-driven priorities — including basic needs for health and safety, housing, work and economic development, lifelong learning and education, parks, transportation and more in priority neighborhoods across all three Delaware counties.

The grants will come from a $2 million collaborative investment from HCD and five investment partners: The State of Delaware, Discover, Nemours, DuPont and Highmark. The investment is targeted at initiatives that are place-based and community-driven, with the aim to improve the vital conditions in neighborhoods that need more support to thrive. Health.gov lists the seven vital conditions necessities for health and safety, humane housing, meaningful work + wealth, lifelong learning, reliable transportation, thriving natural world and belonging + civic muscle. 

“Our zip codes have a greater impact on our health and well-being than our genetic codes,” said Kate Dupont Phillips, executive director of Healthy Communities Delaware, in a press release. “For that reason, it is critical to invest in creating healthy, safe and vibrant communities to support healthy people.” 

Neighborhoods up and down the state set vital conditions and goals through the community organizations that will receive the grants. Of the 35 organizations, 14 are geographic communities and 21 are community-based organizations and coalition partners. Other network organizations include Cornerstone West, Jefferson Street Center, Central Baptist Community Development Corporation, Be Ready Community Development Corporation, Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity, The Springboard Collaborative, Southbridge Community Development Corporation, Wilmington Alliance, Collaborate Northeast, New Castle Prevention Coalition, NeighborGood Partners, Greenbridge Community Development Corporation, Latin American Community Center and Seaford Community of Hope.