This Ties That Bind Us is sponsored by Matt The Carpet Guy.
GEORGETOWN, Del. - First State Community Action Agency is celebrating 60 years of service after serving more than 8,000 families across Delaware over the past year through programs including case management, afterschool homework help, and a food pantry that has assisted more than 450 families so far this year.
The organization was formed in 1965 as Sussex County Community Action Agency and is now the only community action agency in Delaware. Later in 1993, they expanded their services to Kent and New Castle County.
Bernice Edwards, who began working with the nonprofit in 1978 as a community development specialist and is now going into her 20th year as executive director, said the agency's focus remains on helping families in need across the First State.
"We are an anti-poverty program, and our mission is to work towards the elimination of poverty and lessen the effect of poverty on people of low income," Edwards said.
Edwards added that they administer over 20 different anti-poverty programs. Edwards says they also have a senior companion and community development programs.
"What we do is work with both individuals and communities, helping them to become self-sufficient," Edwards explained.
"If a person comes in to us with emergency food cases, we provide them with the food, but also...we look at what, when we do the intake, what are the services that we have here that could help those individuals and families and communities, move from crisis to stability," Edwards said.
Edwards added that they have a housing counseling program.
"I really have enjoyed over the years that we have been able to help people and see a difference. When you see someone who comes up and says, 'You helped me 20 years ago to buy a house,'" Edwards said.
Edwards added they are also working with the Department of Corrections and the Restaurant Association.
"We train inmates prior to their release back into the community with our Culinary Arts Program," Edwards noted.
Edwards said that they begin working with inmates six months to a year before they return to the community.
"We want them to be viable citizens making a decent living and be able to be successful," Edwards added.
She said the Culinary Arts Program is also for those unemployed or underemployed.
Douglas Curry Jr. of Bridgeville said he visits the Georgetown food pantry, which is a partnership with the Delaware Food Bank, once a month.
"It helps me out very well because I'm not realizing that prices have gone up. So, this really helps everything for me to be able to feed myself," Curry said.
Edwards said partnerships with other nonprofits allow the agency to expand its reach and better serve families.
"That's what community action is all about. How do we partner with other nonprofits working with families, helping families to become self-sufficient? Sometimes... we can't be everything to everybody," Edwards explained. "If it's mental health, we partner with a mental health agency because we don't have that expertise."
As it marks six decades of service, the agency, which is one of the 1,000 community actions throughout the country, continues working to provide support and resources to communities across Delaware.
