Things worth knowing PRINCIPLES OF UNDERSTANDING
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s part of its ongoing strategy to increase public awareness, Delawarebased Last Stop to Freedom has released five Principles of Understanding. The Principles continue the organization’s efforts to help establish concrete policies and activities that foster racial equality. “To do so, we must first agree on some initial facts,” says a recent release by Last Stop to Freedom. The five Principles: • Understand who built America • Rewrite American colonial history • America needs Truth and Reconciliation • Don’t hate your relatives • Expand Public Law 105-203 (Network to Freedom Act of 1998) For details on the five Principals or learn more about Last Stop to Freedom’s efforts, visit LastStopToFreedom.org
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ilmington Alliance and JPMorgan Chase have launched the Second Chance Employment Collaborative to connect justice-involved locals with stable career pathways in high-growth sectors like IT and healthcare. The Collaborative brings together Wilmington Alliance, Delaware Volunteer Legal Services, Wilmington HOPE Commission, Delaware Center for Justice and Project New Start, and has received a $1 million philanthropic investment over two years from JPMorgan Chase. The Collaborative will provide justiceinvolved individuals with legal aid and workforce development resources to connect them with in-demand and stable jobs. It will also work directly with employers and connect people with arrest and conviction records with digital skills assessment and training, career coaching and mentorship, as well as apprenticeships for hands-on jobs training. Currently, nearly nine of 10 employers use a past conviction to screen applicants for job opportunities. "There are roughly 80,000 Delawareans who have a criminal record for low-level crimes,” said Renata B. Kowalczyk, CEO of Wilmington Alliance. “That means they are unnecessarily shut out from accessing sustainable employment to support themselves and their families. Meanwhile, many employers in our state are growing rapidly and in need of qualified talent. Our goal is to close that gap.” Visit WilmingtonAlliance.org
BRANDYWINE ZOO SPRINGS FORWARD
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SECOND CHANCE EMPLOYMENT COLLABORATIVE
he new-and-improved Brandywine Zoo welcomes spring with an abundance of activity. Spring Break Zoo Discovery will take place April 3-11, offering kids age six to 12 a tour of the zoo with learning stations positioned along the way. Scouts Days are set for April 17-18 enabling Scouts to lead their own adventures and earn badges. An Earth Day Celebration will take place on site on April 24 (10am-1pm) and on May 5 the Zoo will host Sip & Stroll (5-7pm), in which adults can enjoy a beer with animal encounters and other activities available for all ages. Visit BrandywineZoo.org
Delaware artist Leah Beach with her new mural.
DISCOVERIES TRAIL CONTINUES TO GROW
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he Delaware Discoveries Trail has added an 11th location with the introduction of a new interactive piece of artwork at the Delaware Botanic Gardens in Dagsboro. Designed and painted by local artist Leah Beach of Developing Artist Collaboration, the new location’s artwork was inspired by the bright naturalistic landscapes and colorful plant life that is found throughout the botanic gardens. “The Delaware Discoveries Trail is a one-ofa-kind experience,” said Liz Keller, Delaware Tourism Director. “As we continue to develop and enhance innovative ways to keep the state top-of-mind with travelers, the trail has increased awareness of destinations among younger travelers and helped drive off-season visitation.” While exploring the locations along the trail, travelers can submit four of their #DelawareDiscoveries photos at DelawareDiscoveries.com for a chance to receive a limited-edition prize.
UPDATED DOWNTOWN BUSINESS DIRECTORY
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owntown Visions has created an updated directory for Downtown Wilmington businesses that reflects the changes due to COVID-19. The directory includes retail shops, restaurants and bars, attractions, fitness centers, galleries and event spaces, salons and barber shops, and professional services. Visit DowntownWilmingtonDE.com/blog
Photo courtesyBrandywine Zoo
APRIL 2021 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM 11
