100 Women Who Care surpasses $100K in local support

Members of 100 Women Who Care Southern Delaware gathered April 28 in Georgetown to present a donation of $8,850 to Higher Ground Outreach Inc. Lou Hernandez and April Morehouse, co-directors, accepted the award. They were joined by several guests on hand that rainy day receiving support services, hot coffee and a little companionship.

Through an ongoing partnership with 100WWCSD, the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, based in Minnesota, will be contributing an additional $4,375.

The mission of Higher Ground is to support families and individuals in breaking free from homelessness and addictions, and becoming mentally, physically and spiritually healthier. It provides street outreach, street medicine and mobile response services as well as a safe haven in a historic home setting where vital resources are offered during daytime hours. These funds will be used to support expansion of those much-needed services.

“We’ve come a long way,” said Hernandez. “We started out of our car helping those homeless living in tent communities.” He describes them as good people in a bad place. He tells guests, “You are in ‘higher ground,’ watch out for each other.” His own face brightens as he says that hearing their laughing and joking is his greatest satisfaction.

This eighth round of giving completes the second year of 100 Women Who Care Southern Delaware providing financial support to organizations serving communities in Sussex County, to the tune of $100,411. Each member commits to donating $100 to the local nonprofit selected at each quarterly meeting. Local businesses are encouraged to partner in this initiative through matching funds. Participating businesses to date include Mariachi, SoDel Concepts and Irish Eyes.

For more information, go to Facebook for 100 Women Who Care Southern Delaware, email 100womencaresd@gmail.com or call Jeri Berc at 302-233-6897.