Category Archives: Announcement

Friendship House is now statewide!

Friendship House is excited to announce that our Empowerment Program has moved into Kent County. Our Case Management Services are now also available statewide! This is thanks to a partnership with Code Purple Kent County Delaware.

Our Empowerment Program services include clothing referrals, financial assistance for birth certificates, transportation, IDs and medical expenses, access to computer, phone, and PO box, and funds holding Escrow account.

Our program is located at the Code Purple Site – People’s Community Center (46 S Bradford St, Dover, DE 19904). We are there on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 am – 3 pm. 

Anyone looking to volunteer or donate items to support our program should contact volunteer@friendshiphousede.org.

Contact: (302) 416-2343

Helpline: (302) 482-2271

Marc Marcus Announces His Retirement

“It’s a ‘make something happen’ kind of day!” Friendship House employees’ often say, and Marc has taken this saying to heart. “I think every day at FH is an opportunity for our staff and our guests/clients to make something happen. That’s what we’re there for,” says Marc Marcus, our Assistant Executive Director. After changing lives and bettering the community for 30 years through his service at FH, it is with mixed emotions we announce Marc has decided to retire.

Marc initially served FH as a volunteer before entering onto our board for several years and was even elected as the Vice President after exhibiting tremendous commitment to our mission. When his term on the board ended Marc was offered a position on staff and soon after was named the Assistant Executive Director, a position he continues in today. Marc was, and continues to be, instrumental in FH’s operation, growth and fulfillment of our mission.

Part of Marc’s legacy is the expansion of our Code Purple program to the community. This program has always been a centerpiece to FH’s mission and Marc’s heart. “When it’s super cold out and you’re providing someone a place to stay who has nowhere else to go, it’s really moving to be involved with the impact,” Marc said. On Code Purple nights Marc would often drive around to assist those who were outside with nowhere to go and bring them to one of our Code Purple locations. He was always willing to help folks in need.

He touched the lives of more than just the folks we work with, but our staff and supporters as well. We are so grateful to have had Marc’s support for FH all these years. He is one of the most calm, compassionate, loving, caring, and thoughtful people we have had the pleasure of knowing. In reference to our mission, Marc said, “I just really love the FH philosophy, and how we treat the people we work with.”

While Marc has meant so much to us, FH has in turn touched Marc’s heart. “FH means a place where folks can come when they feel they have no other choices. We meet people where they are. We are not limited by parameters, we can stretch the limit and fill the gaps,” he said. “Being part of an organization that is a place for people to come when they feel they have nowhere to turn is extremely rewarding. I am so grateful and honored God gave me this option through FH.”

Marc has impacted FH in so many ways and will be missed as he enjoys his time in retirement. His superpower is his ability to see the incredible beauty of every person. Whether you are staff, client, or volunteer – Marc sees what you are capable of and doesn’t let you forget how amazing you are.

From all of us here at Friendship House, we wish him the very best and congratulate him on his retirement. Marc, we hope you never forget how amazing YOU are. Thank you for all you have done for FH!

COVID-19 Update | November 11, 2020

Friendship House has been hard at work this year ensuring safe delivery of services during this pandemic. So far, we have ensured our guests experiencing street level homelessness, who had life lines shut down when the state went on lockdown back in March, had access to the most urgent things like bathrooms, hand washing stations, food, water and even emergency shelter through hotel vouchers. During this time, we were able to give 100 people hotel rooms, serve over 20,000 meals and countless cups of coffee!

We have seen significant increases in financial assistance requests. With support from businesses and foundations we have been able to provide more than 1,000 people directly affected by COVID-19 with additional financial assistance to prevent homelessness and lack of utilities.

We have continued to provide clothing, job training and transitional housing throughout this pandemic, too. Although never easy, FH continued to find a way in connecting people facing homelessness with loving, supportive communities they can call home.

Now, we face winter. FH is committing to providing winter shelter this season. Due to COVID-19, it will not be the same as previous years. We are working in collaboration with the state, county, our dedicated Code Purple partners, and many other agencies to ensure safe and effective options. Please make sure to follow us on Facebook and sign up for our electronic newsletters for updates.

Code Purple Update

We are pleased to share Friendship House is committed to providing Code Purple winter shelter for New Castle County this season. Due to COVID-19, it will not be the same as previous years. We are working in collaboration with the state, county, our dedicated Code Purple partners, and many other agencies to ensure safe and effective options. We are anticipating Code Purple to include day and night-time shelter this winter. More information will be shared as we know more. #AWayHome

School Uniform Drive

We are so excited to announce a new Friendship House initiative aimed at helping local students! Our Clothing Bank has been collecting school uniforms to be donated to students across New Castle County. In Mid-October, we made the first school uniform delivery to Evan G. Shortlidge Academy. We provided them with 235 tops and 160 pants that will go directly to their students. This delivery was possible because of organizations, faith communities, and individuals who donated new or gently used polo shirts and khaki pants to our Clothing Bank. Our goal is to one day provide free school uniforms to students in need who attend public schools across New Castle County. FH is gearing up to deliver to more schools for the 2021-2022 school year. To help us in this initiative, donate new or gently used school uniforms to the FH Clothing Bank.

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