West Side New Beginnings services set to resume Oct. 8

A few weeks after the death of co-founder Diaz Bonville, his two daughters are resuming services at West Side New Beginnings in West Rehoboth. The first day is Tuesday, Oct. 8.

“We got some work to do,” said Dilinda Deshields, as she walked into the facility. “But there’s a need. I can’t see the center closing. The kids need it. The community needs it.”

Diaz Bonville and Brenda Milbourne started West Side New Beginnings in 1990. A little more than a decade later, 2002, the West Rehoboth Children and Youth Program was established. Bonville died Sept. 14.

Deshields, a teacher in the Cape Henlopen School District, said she took over a lot of the operational duties when her dad began working for Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester.

“You can do it. Just keep on doing it,” Deshields said were her dad’s words of encouragement.

In the days immediately following Bonville’s death, Milbourne said she was putting her full support behind Deshields.

She’s in charge now, said Milbourne.

It’s important to have Milbourne on board because she lives in the community and is trusted, said Deshields. Also, she’ll walk around and make sure kids are showing up like they’re supposed to, she said.

The biggest challenge will be the grant writing and paperwork-related obligations, said Deshields.

Helping Deshields with those challenges will be her sister LaToya Bonville, who works in the Milford School District.

“She’s going to help me. I’m going to need the help,” said Deshields, laughing.

LaToya said she’s helping out because WSNB was her dad’s baby. Being in the service of others is something she likes to do, she said.

Deshields was 17 years old when her dad opened WSNB. She said she can remember thinking that she’d never want to be around so many children. Years later, she said, she realized the program’s importance.

“It’s about making a difference,” said Deshields. “My dad never liked to say a child was bad. He would always say they needed guidance and structure to set them on the right path.”

For more information on West Side New Beginnings, 19801 Norwood St., Rehoboth Beach, call 302-528-2265.