BLOG

Summer's almost here, and for kids it means freedom from homework, early alarms, and rushing out the door to catch the bus. For parents, it's a little more complicated than that. Between mid-June and late August, there's a long stretch of open time to fill — along with the very real concern that your child could lose ground academically. That concern is justified. When kids spend the summer disengaged, the effects show up in the fall. Educators call it the summer slide, the g

On Tuesday, May 5, the Neighborhood House Board of Directors approved the appointment of Jeffrey E. Benatti to serve as Interim Executive Director.

After careful consideration, the Neighborhood House Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to consolidate our operations at our community center in Wilmington’s Southbridge neighborhood. This means closing our satellite office in Middletown, where we have served families since 1992. This was not a reactive decision. It was a deliberate one, made with the long-term health of the organization in mind. Why We're Making This Change After nearly a century of service, w

For months, Jay and his wife Barbara had been living without electricity. After a series of serious medical issues landed them in the hospital, the bills piled up faster than their fixed income could handle. Their electric bill climbed past $2,900, and eventually the power was shut off. Think about what that means. No lights. No heat through the winter. No way to cook a meal. Barbara, who depends on a CPAP machine, couldn’t use it. For six months, they lived like that. When t

On Saturday, May 2, Neighborhood House is joining nonprofits from across the Wilmington area for the 2026 Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community at Tubman Garrett Riverfront Park. If you're not familiar with the Highmark Walk, it's an annual fundraising walk that brings communities together to support local health and human service organizations. Highmark underwrites all event costs, which means every dollar raised by participants goes directly to the nonprofit they choose to

More than three decades. That's how long Cynthia Williams has been showing up for the youth of Neighborhood House — not just as our Youth Program Coordinator, but as a steady source of compassion and wise counsel. "After 31 years, what I love most about my job is the opportunity to serve and inspire young people," Cynthia says. "The greatest joy for me is watching the youth grow, learn, and succeed." For Cynthia, the real wins are the moments of connection and growth that hap

Each spring, we release an Impact Report that provides a snapshot of how Neighborhood House made a difference during the previous calendar year. The numbers matter, and they always will. But numbers only tell you what happened. They don’t tell you who made it happen or why it matters so much. So this year we wanted to pull back the curtain even further and give you greater insight into the work that's happening across New Castle County. Our 2025 Impact Report still has th

If you’re struggling to pay your utility bill, help is available. Our community has been hit hard by rising energy costs, and no one should have to choose between heating their home and putting food on the table. Start with the resources below, and if you need more support, we’re here. Delmarva Power Customer Relief Fund One-time assistance up to $500 for eligible Delmarva Power electric and gas customers; available to households up to 350% of the federal poverty level ($54

Once a year we come together to celebrate the good work that's both behind and ahead of us, and this year’s Annual Meeting comes at a unique time in our organization’s history. It’s our last gathering before we celebrate 100 years of serving our neighbors. Join us on Thursday, March 26th, from 11 AM to 2 PM, as we look back at the moments and milestones that defined 2025 and look ahead to our centennial year. “Our Annual Meeting is one of my favorite days of the year," says B