Delaware Mentor expands in Millsboro
People with disabilities who would benefit from day care may now attend a new Delaware Mentor facility in Millsboro.
Nancy Biel, area director for Delaware Mentor, last year leased a small space on Route 113 outside Millsboro. The location had three participants at first, but after four months of work, the program has expanded into more space and can now accommodate 26 people.The new rooms opened last week.
"We saw a need in Sussex County, and now we have a waiting list," Biel said. "This location has been open for a year, and we plan to hold a grand opening for the expanded rooms in about a month."
The new space features brightly painted walls, a kitchen and medical area with washer and dryer and beds, as well as a sensory-stimulation room where participants can enjoy colorful lights and a place to relax out of their wheelchairs.
"We tried to make it as state-of-the-art as we could," said Biel. "We have six more participants coming between July and August; many are from the Howard T. Ennis School in Georgetown. All but two of our participants are Sussex County residents."
The participants range in abilities, but most are in wheelchairs. They are medically-fragile, requiring tube feedings or are experiencing significant issues that limit their ability to be engaged in full-day work activities. Several nurses and program supporters help on a daily basis. Participants take part in activities during the day, both in the building and outside where they enjoy field trips around the county.
Max Twigg, a registered nurse who previously worked at the Stockley Center and as an emergency medical technician, now works with Delaware Mentor in Millsboro.
"This is an excellent program. There are only two like it in the state," said Twigg. "This new space allows us to do so much more and offer more."
Delaware Mentor is funded through state and federal funding. The participants arrive either via DART buses or by ambulance from their homes.
Jessica Holden participated in the Mentor program and now lives in group housing in Millsboro. When she went looking for a job, she contacted Biel at the Millsboro location. Biel was more than happy to give her a job cleaning the building.
"I get great support at Mentor," said Holden. "It's like family."
The expansion to the new rooms was funded through the national Mentor network. Founded in 1980, the Mentor network is a national network of local human services providers offering an array of quality, community-based services to adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain and spinal cord injuries and other catastrophic injuries and illnesses, and to youth with emotional, behavioral and medically complex challenges as well as their families.
The program provides social development, communication development, nursing care and assistance, skills training programs and medical assistance. The center is located at 28417 Dupont Highway, Millsboro. For more information about the program, call 302-934-0512.
