West End Neighborhood House

Exciting opportunity for young adults ages 18–24!

Our West End: Education and Employment Department (EED) is excited to partner with the U.S. Department of Labor, the
National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, and the Delaware Restaurant Foundation, to offer no-cost work-readiness training in the hospitality and culinary field for justice-impacted young adults.

This six-week program will help participants build job-readiness skills, complete hands-on work experience, and earn an industry credential as they prepare for new career opportunities in hospitality.

Training locations:

710 N. Lincoln Street, Wilmington
420 South Street, Dover
411 Kimmey Street, Georgetown

An official start date is coming soon. See the flyer for more information or contact Kyle at [email protected].

We are also hiring a Case Manager to support this initiative! This hybrid role includes case management, community outreach, recruitment, training support, data entry, and program marketing. Candidates near Smyrna, DE are encouraged to apply.

To learn more about the position or how to apply, contact Mia Harvey, Program Director, at [email protected].

Please share to help connect young adults with pathways toward stability, employment, and long-term success.

Congratulations to our Above Xpectations Track & Field! 🎉We’re very proud of this team, all their individual and collective achievements, but more importantly, for all their time and hard work to achieve their goals. 💚🖤

Kudos to our Coaches, along with the team’s family and friends, and our funders for all their help and support.

In observance of Memorial Day, our office will be closed as we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. We are grateful for their sacrifice and the freedoms they helped protect.❤️🤍💙

On this National Scavenger Hunt Day, it seems appropriate to celebrate Mike Bright, Maintenance Crew, on his 16th Workiversary 🎉 as he’s always looking for something for all of our staff to help with whatever they’re doing. 💙💚

Mike said he loves the staff , his team, and our customers. Now, if only we can get to find a few million dollars which he’s always looking for! 😉

Congratulations to our newest Launcher Entrepreneurship Cohort, for completing the 14-week program, along with receiving three credits to Wilmington University. 🎉 Our thanks to their families and friends who have supported them (and will continue to do so as their journey is just beginning).

We also bestowed some extra praise on Herminio Cornejo, who is our 1,500th Graduate, since the program’s start in 2017. He is a Party Planner, and his business is Lovely's by Hermi. 🧡

In addition, there were a variety of surprise accolades for our Executive Director,Paul F Calistro Jrr, who had the idea to get this program started from theBuild from Within Alliancee, on his last official graduation before his retirement later this year (after 35 years)! 💙💚

We are sincerely grateful to the following sponsors who continue to support the program and our customers:
Barclays Bank USS,U.S. Small Business Administrationn,New Castle County Governmentt, Arsht Cannon Fund,Fulton Bankn Forward Foundation,Discoverr,M&T Bankk, andDelaware Division of Small Businesss.

This has been a tough week for this community, but through it all, peace, love, joy, and hope have persevered. 🥰

Our friends at West Side Grows (Wilmington, DE) said it beautifully for our friend, Charlotte Miller-Lacy and MSK Community Center. May you continue to shine your light on all who knew and loved you. ❤️🕊️

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved founder, mentor, advocate, and community matriarch, Mrs. Charlotte Miller-Lacy.

Mrs. Lacy was more than a leader, she was a pillar in the Wilmington community whose impact reached generations of youth, families, and residents throughout Delaware and beyond. Through her unwavering commitment to service, empowerment, and community healing, she helped build spaces where people felt seen, supported, and loved. Her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched, the wisdom she shared, and the foundation she helped create through I Am My Sister’s Keeper and the MSK Community Center.

Known for her strength, compassion, honesty, and deep love for her community, Mrs. Lacy dedicated her life to uplifting others, especially young people and women. She believed in meeting people where they were, loving them through their struggles, and reminding them of their worth and purpose. Her presence was truly one of grace, resilience, and service.

During this difficult time, the family welcomes the community’s prayers, love, and support. The home is currently open to visitors for those who would like to stop by, pay their respects, share memories, and support the family.

We ask that everyone continue to keep the Lacy family, the MSK family, and all who loved Mrs. Lacy in your thoughts and prayers as we honor a woman whose legacy will continue to shape this community for years to come.

For any questions or for the home address, please contact Dr. Melody F. Phillips at (302) 304-1070.

“Her work was rooted in love, and her legacy will live on through the people she poured into.”

It’s time to celebrate another amazing staff member, who is celebrating 15 years , Renee Fortune! She is our Mental Health Counselor and Volunteer Above Xpectations Track & Field Coach.

She helps children and their families overcome life’s challenges by creating a safe space for them to communicate hard topics. What she “loves most is breaking the stigma regarding therapy in our community, and that children know to find me when they need to ‘talk’. “

Renee, keep on smiling and helping our community! 💙💚

Happy May 21st, aka Alethea Smith-Tucker 1 Year Work-iversary! 🎉 She is the Economic Development Manager for Cornerstone West CDC (aka West Side Grows (Wilmington, DE), and describes her job as "deeply rewarding." She loves how it allows her "to help transform vision into tangible opportunities that strengthen the West Side community. The greatest joy comes from building meaningful relationships, supporting local growth, and leading projects that create lasting impact, empowerment, and hope for residents and small businesses alike."

When all of those components interact precisely, it's like seeing a beautiful dance routine. Alethea, we thank you for all you do for our customers and the community! 💙💚

Our sincere thoughts and prayers are extended to the family and friends of our long-time Board Member and friend, Pat Quann. 🕊️

Another one of our Board Members, and her personal friend, Penny Marshall said, “Pat was a very special person and will be missed by her friends colleagues and her community. Her work as a Warden, Executive Director of Delaware Law, in Education, and as a West End board member (and many other endeavors), exhibited just how intelligent, personable and versatile she was. Her willingness to give to others and to always be available to do what was necessary to advance the lives of young people is her legacy.”

Our Executive Director, Paul F Calistro Jr said, “She was loyal and caring Board Member, always looking to help the community and contributed so much time, treasure, and talent, and she will be missed. Her legacy will live on.”
💙💚

We extend our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of the honorable Mayor Mike Purzycki, along with the entire City of Wilmington. Our Executive Director, Paul F Calistro Jr was a close friend of the Mayor, and said, "He contributed to this community and always cared about the least of us. He lead effectively and efficiently, while helping the homeless and disenfranchised. He provided a voice for all of his constituants."