Next Gen South awards grants to Zoë Ministries and Love Inc.
The Next Generation of Southern Delaware, a giving circle of the Delaware Community Foundation, announced it was able to grant $15,000 in funds during its 2020 cycle.
In a virtual ceremony held Jan. 19, grants were presented to Zoë Ministries Inc. and Love Inc. of Mid-Delmarva, whose missions fit within Next Gen South’s addiction treatment and family support services grant focus.
Next Gen South President Samantha Hemphill said, “We will pivot and continue working to support these groups that need our help now more than ever.”
Zoë Ministries Inc., based in Greenwood, was awarded $7,500 to continue its efforts to provide safety, healing and advocacy in Delaware for those impacted or potentially impacted by sex trafficking. Since it received nonprofit status in 2012, the organization’s members have spent countless hours pioneering the fight against human trafficking in the first state. They raise public awareness and provide training to better equip professionals to recognize signs of sex trafficking in victims.
The group also pushes for improved governmental infrastructure to prevent more victims from slipping through the cracks. Zoe Ministries Inc. founder Yolanda Schlabach said, “This past year, we have launched several different programs where we are working directly with human trafficking survivors.”
Love Inc. of Mid-Delmarva, based in Seaford, was also awarded $7,500. It will use these funds to further pursue the goal of educating the community to be part of the solution in helping identify addiction and encourage recovery. Love Inc. created its Not My Kid initiative that features a mock home space in a mobile trailer to show parents and guardians where teens or young adults may hide drugs.
In partnership with the Delaware State Police, Love Inc. has been able to introduce community trainings teaching advocacy and prevention. Susan Kent, director of Love Inc. Mid-Delmarva, said, “Many parents believe it’s not their kid; it’s always someone else’s. So, the trailer has been very successful.” The group offers virtual tours and trainings during this time.
Next Gen South is a philanthropic organization that was created and is directed by young professionals living and working in Kent and Sussex counties. Its mission is to develop young professionals into effective nonprofit board leaders. Next Gen South board members engage in fundraising, grant making, community outreach, education and more. Next Gen South currently has a grant focus of addiction treatment and family support services in Kent and Sussex counties. Since its inception, Next Gen South has awarded more than $91,000 in grants.
For more information, go to delcf.org.
