The CenDel Foundation awarded more than $17,000 in grants to two organizations supporting workforce programs in Central Delaware last week at its “Excellence in Education” luncheon. The recipients were NeighborGood Partners and the Biggs Museum of American Art.
NeighborGood received $12,500 for “The Scoop” – an ice cream shop on Loockerman Street in Dover. Students help to run the shop and get the opportunity to experience teamwork, financial literacy, entrepreneurship and soft skills. The Scoop opened in 2022 as part of the Restoring Central Delaware initiative. Up to 20 students are expected to work at the shop under a manager and other staff members.
The funding to the Biggs will be used for a new Visual Arts Workforce Pathway, providing students insight into the business side of the arts. Students will learn about possible careers as a museum curator, museum educator, conservationist or cultural preservationist, and art and historical researcher. The Museum says students would meet with artists and museum staff members as part of the new pathway in hopes of encouraging Delaware students to remain in the area and fill arts-related roles. The CenDel grant will help support mentor costs and transportation for the students.
Founded in 2019, the Excellence in Education Fund began as a partnership between the Kent Sussex Leadership Alliance, the Kent Economic Partnership and the Daily State News. Read full coverage about the program from the Daily State News HERE.
