| Dear Friends and Advocates,
June is Pride month and an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of our LGBTQ community members. We are so fortunate to live and work in the state of Delaware where there are legal protections for LGBTQ individuals.
There are also federal protections such as the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). This federal statute, originally passed in 1994 and reauthorized by Congress, includes anti-discrimination protection for LGBTQ persons. VAWA recognizes that domestic violence can impact anyone, no matter their age, race, gender, sexual orientation, or economic status, and that services should be available and provided to all victims of domestic violence.
In addition to legal protections, there is also a commitment throughout Delaware’s victim services community to offer trauma-informed services, that is recognizing the impact of the trauma and offering victim-centered help. At DCADV’s training and networking event held in early May domestic violence advocates shared trauma-informed best practices and tips for sustaining ourselves in the work.
DCADV is so grateful to our member programs and community partners for the work that they do every day! As we move into the summer months, we hope that everyone has an opportunity to take time to rest, enjoy the weather, spend time with family and friends and importantly, remember that we do this work together and together we will end domestic violence.
Finally, we want to remind everyone about the gift of membership. You can give a family member, friend or colleague a DCADV membership as a gift! To learn how, please visit: www.DCADV.org/membership. These funds help sustain our work!
In gratitude,
Sue Ryan
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| It's time to shine a spotlight on the incredible individuals and businesses making a real difference in the lives of domestic violence survivors.
DCADV is gearing up for its annual Purple Ribbon Celebration, and we need your help to honor those who go above and beyond in advocacy and support!
Know someone whose dedication deserves recognition? Nominate them today and be part of this unforgettable evening! Together, we can make a lasting impact.
Nominations are due by June 30th, 2025.
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What an amazing time at the Advocates' Training and Networking event! Huge thanks to all the passionate attendees and inspiring presenters who made it unforgettable. We’re already counting down the days—see you next year for our 25th anniversary celebration! 🎉
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| It's been a busy time for the Advocacy & Policy team! Here are a few of the highlights.
In May:
Collaboration continued with the DVTF Joint Legislative Subcommittee and working with the DVCC Legislative Committee to review and provide recommendations for bills regarding Advocate’s Privilege, Sexual Assault Testing Kits, and Stalking. DCADV had a positive introduction meeting with a member of Representative McBride’s legislative staff, Monica Luna, to introduce ourselves and get her acquainted with the work that DCADV does throughout the state. We hosted a successful Advocacy Day down in Dover at Legislative Hall on May 14th, where we shared resources with community members and legislators!
DCADV continued advocacy efforts on behalf of People’s Place and CHILD, Inc. so they can receive their requested Grant-In-Aid funding. This is important for them to keep providing services to the community.
The Advocacy & Policy team participated in the Housing Alliance of Delaware’s Day for Housing, and shared housing and domestic violence resources with members of the community.
Upcoming in June:
The Advocacy & Policy team will continue advocating for the passage of the following bills: Advocate’s Privilege, Probation Reform, No-Contact Order Violations, Sexual Assault Testing Kits, Housing Protections, and more.
Our Policy and Advocacy team, along with a member of our WEAVER and WOCTF, will be in Washington, DC to learn from NNEDV and meet with our legislators to educate them on the importance of domestic violence prevention and service funding.
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| DV- Community Health Advocates are available to help here in Delaware. EVERYONE deserves a safe and healthy relationship. Please call if you or someone you know is in a dangerous or abusive relationship.
New Castle County: 302-757-2137
Kent/Sussex Counties: 302-422-8058
Did you know the DV- Community Health Advocates supported 166 new clients in 2024 and 210 of their children? The program continues to thrive statewide, providing participants with services within their communities.
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WOCTF continues holding monthly meetings and also presented in Sue Ryan's class at the University of Delaware speaking about DV and Women of Color. They also attended several events in the area including the DEBBC 2nd Annual Minority Health Fair, United Way Minority Student Summit, DSU Student Health Fair and Delta's Empowering Our Sisters Health Fair.
Chair, Carolyn Morgan, and task force coordinator, Diane Postell attended DSU's Coordinated Community Response Team's initial "North Star" meeting noting that while sexual assault numbers are down on campus, DV has increased. Diane also attended a meeting of UD's SW Community Advisory Board.
WOCTF once again hosted "Fun at Five" at DCADV's Advocates Training and Network event and much fun was had by all!
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WEAVER welcomed Courtney Winkler and Deianna Tyree-McDuffy to the April Task Force meeting, where they led a valuable training to help members better support DV survivors in outreach efforts. The session was recorded for those who couldn’t attend and for future members.
Dee shared her story and spoke with students at the University of Delaware, continuing her ongoing advocacy through visits to Dr. Miller’s and Angela Hattery’s classes. Denise also visited Sue Ryan’s class to discuss her survivor journey and the WEAVER Task Force’s mission, inspiring future DV advocates with her insights.
Denise later joined a student dinner at Sean’s House in Newark, speaking to Gamma Phi sorority members about DV awareness, healthy relationships, and advocacy. She left resources for students and hopes to return soon.
In May, WEAVER members attended DCADV’s Advocate Training and Networking event in Rehoboth Beach, thanks to scholarships provided by Sue Ryan and Courtney Winkler. Denise, Lois West, Pam Brooks-Grimes, and Dedra Handy appreciated the learning and connection with fellow advocates.
Denise also spoke on a panel at the MHA Symposium in Dover on May 7th, sharing her experiences and offering resources at the DCADV table.
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Hit the Links for Civil Justice! Register now for the 10th Annual Combined Campaign for Justice Cup on Monday, August 4, 2025 at the DuPont Country Club in Wilmington! This golf outing raises funds for the Combined Campaign for Justice (CCJ), which supports Delaware’s three civil legal aid organizations and their work on behalf of vulnerable and underserved communities, including survivors of domestic violence statewide. Learn more and register here: https://delawareccj.org/our-events/
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Since 1997, the Sparrow Run Family Resource Center, located at 148 Flamingo Drive in the Newark area of New Castle County, has been a vital hub for programs and services for the community of Sparrow Run and its surrounding neighborhoods. The Resource Center serves as a central access point offering services including an emergency food closet, home-school liaison services, information and referral through Project Assist and Unite Us platforms, and case management services for families. The Resource Center also offers counseling services for families dealing with domestic violence, and offers access to a computer lab and various office equipment.
The Resource Center staff strive to engage families in a variety of ways including the publication of a monthly newsletter, The Community Voice and through annual family events including the Annual Killens Pond excursion and the Sparrow Run Community Day. Other important efforts in the community include Financial Literacy classes for both children and adults, the expansion of the Community Garden and the development of an audio/visual studio for children and youth.
Expanding its commitment to community enrichment, CHILD, Inc. established Kids Place in 2014, a dedicated center for children and youth in Sparrow Run. Designed to support community children and youth, Kids Place is designed around the three pillars of education, recreation, and community service. The afterschool programming offers academic assistance to children ages six and up throughout the school year. Additionally, staff members actively collaborate with other community organizations to enhance educational and recreational opportunities youth in the community.
With a legacy spanning decades, the Sparrow Run Family Resource Center and Kids Place continue to foster growth, stability, and opportunity for individuals and families in the community.
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Isabel Velasquez and Xochi Martinez, Financial Literacy students
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Sparrow Run Family Resource Center
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Sparrow Run Community Garden
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| Team Kids Place at the 2025 CHILD, Inc. 5K Race Against Domestic Violence
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DCADV staff attended the NNEDV Economic Justice Summit in Philadelphia
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| DV-CHW testifying on behalf of Senate Joint Resolution 2 which advocates for insurance coverage for Community Health Worker services by Medicaid providers
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| DCADV's Advocacy Day at Legislative Hall
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Thanks to all the advocates and sponsor Sen. Bryan Townsend for their work on the revision to the Victims' Bill of Rights
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DCADV staff attended Housing Day 2025 hosted by Housing Alliance Delaware
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| DCADV staff attended the resource event at the Hope Center
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Ama Amponsah, DV & Community Health Program Manager
Elaine Ansah, Policy Coordinator
Shaina Collins, Administrative Coordinator
Joe Myers, Director of Prevention
Jacqueline Greenidge Nix, Director of Finance & Operations
Sue Ryan, Executive Director
Deianna Tyree-McDuffy, Director of Advocacy & Policy
Jen Uro, Communications & Fundraising Manager
Courtney Winkler, Training & Outreach Coordinator
www.dcadv.org
100 W. 10th Street, Ste. 903
Wilmington, DE 19801
302-658-2958
800-701-0456
302-658-5049 (fax)
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| April L. Lyons-Alls, Chair
Blanche Creech, Co-Chair
Susan Miller, Secretary
Kathrin Schmalzing, Treasurer
Ann Altemus
Rene Baldrey
Kim Blanch
Nancy Castellanos
Cierra Hall-Hipkins
Dedra Handy
Megan Mahle
Elizabeth McCourt
Jennifer Naccarelli
Tia Tucker
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100 W. 10th Street Suite 903 | Wilmington, DE 19801 US
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