Peoples Settlement Association participates in Christina School Disctrict's after school program PSA/ UHELP informs public about community PSA Endorses the National Housing Trust Fund Get Help with Housing Issues  PSA receives grant from Delaware Community Foundation...click Cory Curtis talks about youth Baketball days at PSA...read In Memory of Evelyn Doncaster PRESS RELEASES Vision 2015 Transforming Delaware’s Education System   Imagining the Schools of the Future: Vision 2015 Announces Winners of “THINK BIG, DELAWARE” Contest   Peoples Settlement Preschool and Marshall Elementary  to share $200 prize   Wilmington, Del. (July 13, 2006) — Vision 2015 today announced the winners of “THINK BIG, DELAWARE,” a contest that challenged Delaware citizens to write inspirational newspaper headlines about public education in Delaware that they would like to read in 2015.       With the creative headline, “All Delaware Preschoolers Prepared for Kindergarten,” Sherlynn Aurelio was one of seven winners from across the state. She chose Peoples Settlement Preschool in Wilmington and Marshall Elementary School in Newark to receive $100 prizes for supplies and materials.     The “THINK BIG” contest is one part of a much larger initiative focused on creating a world-class public education system that can serve the needs of every student in every public school in Delaware. Vision 2015 is a dynamic private/public/civic effort, launched in November 2005, that has been examining the policies and practices that support public education in Delaware, analyzing student achievement, assessing best practices from around the world, and actively seeking input from educators, parents, students, business and community leaders. It is focused on creating a public education system that can serve as a model both within the United States and around the world. Its report will be issued in Fall 2006.   “The Vision 2015 coalition has benefited enormously from the creative thinking of citizens throughout Delaware,” said Marvin N. “Skip” Schoenhals, chair of Vision 2015 and co-chair of the Delaware Business Roundtable Education Committee.   “We have held more than 30 focus groups, as well as several large Work Group meetings in which we asked hundreds of people to imagine what’s possible. The “THINK BIG” campaign has helped us raise our aspirations, and we appreciate the time that people have taken to add their voices.”   The six other winning headlines, their authors, and school recipients are:     ·         Newsweek ranks all Delaware High Schools in Top 50 – Katie Hegedus, Shue-Medill School.   ·         Vision 2015 Blueprint blazes trail for national educational reform – Travis Moorman, Allen Frear Elementary School.   ·         Delaware leaves no one behind—all students achieving above standard…President says new model for US – M.J. Stewart, Mt. Pleasant Elementary School.   ·         University of Delaware graduate and Johannesburg scientist find cure for AIDS – Wanda Lopez, R. Elizabeth Maclary Elementary School.   ·         Ferris School closes: opens as 85th Community School – Ann Case, The Ferris School.   ·         It takes a coalition: Delaware’s education system is transformed – Oluwatoyin Moore, the Achievement Matters program at Bancroft Intermediate School.         About Vision 2015:   Vision 2015 is a private/public/civic effort dedicated to developing a world-class public education system in Delaware that can serve the needs of every student in every public school — not just pockets of excellence here and there. In so doing, Delaware has an unprecedented opportunity to serve as a model for the rest of the United States and nations of the world.     Vision 2015 is led by a 28-member Steering Committee composed of education, business, and community leaders. A series of Work Groups with broad community representation — including teachers, parents, community leaders, and students — is providing counsel on the most important issues. Two international consulting firms are assisting Vision 2015: the Boston Consulting Group, which is providing research, analysis, and recommendations based on priorities established by the Steering Committee, and Cambridge Leadership Associates, which is facilitating the decision-making process.   Steering Committee members have contributed invaluable time and in-kind services to planning Vision 2015.  A national foundation, The Broad Foundation (Los Angeles), is co-investing with the Rodel Foundation of Delaware in the development of the blueprint plan.     Vision 2015 plans to release a blueprint of its recommendations this fall.  For more information, visit www.vision2015delaware.org.   Peoples Settlement Association recevies EPA grant for Asthma and Arsenic Intervention Wilmington DE- August 22, 2005 Peoples Settlement Association's Executive Director Keith Lake announced today UHELP's partnership with UD's Center for Energy and Environmental Policy (CEEP), Tau Eta Chapter of Chi Eta Phi, and Henrietta Johnson Medical Center on a grant from the EPA. The group has combined resources to initiate Community Action for a Renewed Environment --- CARE project.   Lake said, "We know that it is well documented that there are serious health concerns that exist in this city and we believe that this is a good beginning. This project will hopefully set a precedent in addressing the environmental injustices that plague these neighborhoods, not just in Wilmington but throughout the state." CARE has an intervention-style strategy for reducing the effect of asthma, arsenic, lead, and other illnesses related to exposure to environmental contaminents. The target groups for this project are children and families living in the Eastside and Southbridge communities of Wilmington.   UHELP applied for the EPA grant after the results of a survey revealed residents of these communities suffered from asthma at twice the rate of state and national levels. Constant exposure to landfill gasses, lead paint, arsenic laced land (brownfields), and other environmental hazards have many Wilmington residents at risk. This project will focus on educating the target populations through an action plan combining information, referral, testing, and treatment.   "Asthma kills," stated Priscilla Murphy, president of Tau Eta Chapter of Chi Eta Phi (nurses) Sorority. "No one should die from asthma -- it's treatable. We want to teach people to not just survive but learn to live with it. 'In home' assessments, for people who are currently surviving with asthma, are available."   C.R.E.W. ENVIRO EDUCATION PROJECT ANNOUNCED   Peoples Settlement Association adds another Green Feather to Cap      Wilmington DE, May 10, 2005 On Thursday, May 12 at 6:30 P.M. Peoples Settlement Association, located at 408 E. 8th Street in Wilmington, announced the start of a new environmental education project. The Community Recycling for Eastside Residents, dubbed C.R.E.W., is a pilot project designed to educate community residents, business owners, and church members on the value of recycling. ‘We will use the 3 R’s approach: Recycling, Re-Using, and Reducing the amount of waste going to the local landfill.’ Said Richard L. Thornton recently appointed C.R.E.W. project manager. ‘Our goal is to educate and raise awareness of the need and value of adding recycling to our daily lives. In 2001 Peoples Settlement Association entered the environmental education field with the Urban Health & Environment Learning Project (UHELP) under the direction of Ms. Brenda Gunter. UHELP serves as the umbrella for a number of community based environmental programs. The C.R.E.W. pilot is the latest UHELP component.   Refreshments will be served following the introduction of Mr.Thronton to community members, elected officials, and enviro group representatives and a brief overview of the C.R.E.W. project. The festivities are open to the public.     Local 1694-1 ILA, PEOPLES SETTLEMENT ASSOCIATION SPONSORS TURKEY GIVE-A-WAY     November 22, 2004 – PSA and Local 1694 of the International Longshoreman’s Association have teamed to provide over 180 turkeys to needy families for this Thanksgiving. “It’s a major undertaking and we’ve done it so long, I can’t imagine us not doing this give-a-way for the holiday season.” “ With a slow economy and decline in contributions, we were fortunate to have community support from the Local ILA, who has also stepped forward to fill the void in assisting needy families this year,” states Alberta Ponzo, coordinator for PSA’s crisis department. As contributions dwindled, the Local was able to assist financially and fully understood that their gifts would be paramount this year in helping needy families.   The effort was totally community based and we applaud all the volunteers and contributors that allowed us to fulfill this year’s request.      PSA SHOWS DEBTORS HOW TO GET OUT OF ECONOMIC PRISON   Agency Sponsors Home Buyers/Credit Repair Workshop     Wilmington DE November 9, 2004  Peoples Settlement Association is proud to present a Home Buyers/ Credit Repair Workshop on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 at 6 p.m.   “This workshop will cover purchasing and financing of homes and the process followed by a new buyer.” said Mr. Keith Lake, Executive Director of the Association. “There’re a number of great housing opportunities available right now and we want to prepare folks to strike while the iron is hot.”  The workshop will target potential first-time homeowners and mortgage lenders with creative financing.   The workshop will advise participants on the ins and outs of repairing bad credit and how to improve their credit score. “Credit card debt has created a new form of debtor’s prison for many folks. This workshop will help people on the road to regaining control of their finances—regardless of their income level.” stated Mr. Lake.  also see   PEOPLES SETTLEMENT ASSOCIATION HONORED BY THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS Peoples Settlement Association (PSA) of Wilmington, Delaware was recently awarded the prestigious “Veterans Braintrust Award” by the Congressional Black Caucus. The honor was presented by U.S. Congresswoman Corrine Brown, 3rd District, Florida, at the 15th Annual Congressional Black Caucus Veterans ceremony on Friday, September 26th. The Braintrust Award was established by General Colin Powell in 1990, in recognition of outstanding national commitment and community service to further validate the role and contributions made on behalf of African American veterans’ interest. Over the past thirteen years, the Veterans’ Braintrust has publicly acknowledged and recognized more than 300 outstanding veterans, veteran supporters and organizations from around the country. PSA is a not-for-profit comprehensive service agency located on Wilmington’s eastside. The agency has existed for the past 102 years and serves 7,500 low income citizens yearly. With over 40 programs offered yearly the agency has been instrumental in assisting veterans with various services including-- substance abuse treatment, temporary shelter, utility assistance, computer training, etc. Last year, the agency assisted 1,750 needy veterans. The agency was commended by the Braintrust for its outstanding administrative support with the creation of the African Medal of Honor Monument that now sits at the corner of 18th and Broom streets in Wilmington. This monument is recognized as one of the first in the U.S. and will serve as the prototype for others to be erected across the country.   PSA was also applauded for its outstanding work with the Delaware Association of Blacks Veterans, in establishing a transitional house for disabled veterans. “This award of caught us by surprise, we didn’t realize that officials in Washington were aware of our commitment to local veterans.” “Although the agency has received many awards throughout the years, I think this award ranks very high on our list of accomplishments,” states Keith Lake, the agency’s Executive Director. Last year, PSA was also recognized by President George Bush for its long standing community service.