Let Me Be Blunt: Bright Spots

Dear Friend, I was back in Delaware this week, and I had a packed schedule. From classrooms to conference rooms, I saw it all and had the chance to connect with many of you. As we approach the midterm elections, these conversations are an especially powerful reminder of the importance of staying grounded in the communities we serve. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the chaos and divisiveness we read about in the headlines, especially during election season. But visiting communities across our state filled me with hope as I saw the many ways we show up for one another: investing in the next generation, giving back to those who have given so much, celebrating the trailblazers who have shaped our state, and taking time to reflect on all that unites us. These experiences reminded me that we have far more in common than what sets us apart. Keep reading to see the amazing work our neighbors are doing across the state. Children at Work Junior Achievement of Delaware works to give our youngest Delawareans every tool to succeed. From teaching financial literacy to career readiness, they provide critical lessons that will help Delaware thrive for generations to come. I’ve been proud to support their work in Washington through congressional funding awards. This week, I saw this work up close during a morning at JA Biztown. “Biztown” is a simulation where students become “adults for a day,” taking on jobs, collecting paychecks, and experiencing what it’s like to work and contribute to the economy. I spoke with 6th grade students about my own experience in the workforce, and it was a joy to hear their perspectives and future goals. These students put in hard work while on the job, and I know we’ll be in good hands with these future leaders coming up in the First State. A Legacy of Service The success of our youngest Delawareans would not be possible without a long line of educators invested in their development. Teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, and more have dedicated their lives to serving generations of students, and we must continue to support them long after they leave the classroom. Delaware Retired School Personnel Association (DRSPA) does just that by advocating for the needs of former educators to improve their social, educational, economic and recreational welfare status. They primarily focus on protecting their pension plan, pension adjustments in accordance with inflation costs, and maintaining medical benefits.  My dad was a proud member of DRSPA, so I’ve seen the direct impact of their work for years! I attended DRSPA’s 70 th annual meeting to discuss some of the most pressing issues affecting retired school personnel. We discussed the state of affordability and federal actions that have weakened access to healthcare. I was proud to share information about efforts to tackle these issues and increase healthcare access through my Medicare Cost Cap Act and No Surprise Bills for Seniors Act . Together, we will continue to push for policies that support retired school personnel and all seniors across the state. Supporting our Seniors This has been a monumental year for housing! From passing the first comprehensive federal housing legislation in three decades to developing new affordable housing units across the First State, we are putting in the work. Delaware and our country are still facing a housing shortage, but this week we took another step to addressing this challenge. I was honored to join our entire congressional delegation and local leaders for the ribbon-cutting at Flats V Apartments in Wilmington. This project revitalized 53 units to support seniors and incorporates new amenities to meet their needs, including a library, fitness center, physical therapy space, and more. I’m proud to have led legislation, now law, like the Community Investment and Prosperity Act, which will support similar projects and increase affordable housing development. Delaware is making great strides to ensure affordable housing is a reality for all of us. United in Faith The Delaware Leadership Prayer Breakfast has brought together Delaware elected officials, clergy, and community leaders for almost 4 decades. This annual event unites our state through the power of community connection and faith, urging us to recognize we are more alike than we are different. I was honored to join fellow Delawareans for the 39th annual event. At a time when our country feels more divided than ever, the event was a welcome reminder of our shared values and of our collective work toward the same goal. Leading Ladies For 45 years, the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame has celebrated the achievements of women trailblazers in our state. It celebrates artists, athletes, community advocates, public servants, and any woman who’s had a meaningful impact. I was honored to be inducted in 2018. This year, we celebrated the induction of four remarkable Delaware women who have changed the state for the better. From educators to community servants to successful businesswomen, these ladies are showing young women across the state what they can become. Inductees included Mary C. Dennison, an educator and community leader, Judie Drexler, the first director of the Delaware Division of Services to Children, Youth and Their Families, LaVerne Harmon, President of Wilmington University, and Terri Kelly, former President and CEO of W.L. Gore & Associates. To Mary, Judie, LaVerne, and Terri, congratulations on this honor; it is extremely well deserved. Celebrating Culture The Culture Restoration Project (CRP), founded by AliShah and Richard Watson, has served Wilmington for over a decade, working to build a unified identity for the city’s youth. Through cultural education and experiences driven by the arts, CRP helps develop our young people rooted in the shared values of integrity, accountability, community, order, justice, and truth. I was proud to join CRP to celebrate the groundbreaking of its new community culture center and soon-to-be headquarters. This facility will be an amazing addition, amplifying CRP’s efforts to support our youngest Delawareans and the city at large. A Conversation on Civic Engagement With less than 20 days until the midterm elections, it’s more important than ever to encourage civic engagement, especially for our youngest voters. I sat down with 12th-grader Jeremiah Clancy and fellow students at William Penn High School for an interview as part of their annual government series. We discussed local Delaware favorites, my journey to public service, the importance of early civic engagement, and how students can prepare to participate in their first election. It was a pleasure to be a part of such a powerful conversation! In this week’s How May We Serve You , I want to highlight how my team has been working to serve the needs of Delawareans across the state. My team has officially recouped over $2 million for Delawareans! From recovering tax refunds to securing delayed benefits, our casework team is working to ensure your families have everything you need. Never hesitate to reach out to my office for help. CLICK HERE to learn more. This week’s Constituent Corner honors Retired Major Linda Leggett of the Delaware National Guard. Major Leggett is a devoted public servant who has served our state and country for 21 years. In 1977, she became the first African American woman to complete Officer Candidate School in the Delaware National Guard. Last year, she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer, but she has not let this setback define her. With the help of her son, Jimmy, her achievements have been celebrated through the “Leggett Legacy Project,” which shares her story and raises awareness for blood cancer. Because of her landmark achievements and enduring strength, Major Leggett has been named the “white lantern” by Blood Cancer United, a symbol of hope for other patients and survivors. I had the privilege of personally congratulating her on this honor and joining her in celebrating two months in partial remission. Major Legget, thank you for being a symbol of hope and all that is possible in the First State. Making Ends Meet Resource Fair Join my team on Monday, November 16 th at DelTech Wilmington for our “Make Ends Meet” Resource Fair. We’ll share information on how to access federal, state, and nonprofit resources, including housing assistance, senior services, employment resources, veterans’ services, and much more. CLICK HERE to RSVP. Breast Cancer Awareness Month October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. An estimated 321,910 women will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year, but when caught early, 99% of patients survive at least 5 years. Delaware’s incidence rate ranks second nationally. Be sure to consult with trusted healthcare providers to get a screening schedule that’s right for you. Free PFAS Testing for Delawareans Delawareans who rely on private wells for drinking water can now request free testing for PFAS and a variety of other contaminants through a statewide program. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is partnering with the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, on the drinking water sampling initiative. CLICK HERE to learn more. See the World! The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange is a joint exchange program offered by the U.S. and German governments that offers opportunities to study or work abroad for high school students, recent high school graduates with a vocational interest, and young professionals. Applications are open until November 3. CLICK HERE to learn more. Please head to my website’s Resources for Delawareans page for information about lowering your energy costs, scheduling passport appointments, finding emergency housing, accessing food assistance, paying for prescription drugs, connecting with mental health resources, and more. CLICK HERE FOR MY RESOURCES PAGE.