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5 Questions with Stu: Rita Landgraf, Director of Univ of DE Partnership for Healthy Communities

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Monday, November 4th, 2019

· 1 Comment

Rita Landgraf has a long and distinguished career serving Delaware. She is perhaps best known for her role as Secretary for the state Division of Health and Social Services (2009 – 2017). Yet her service is much broader and deeper, including previous service as executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and the Arc of Delaware, and as president of AARP Delaware. She currently leads the US Partnership of Healthy Communities.

What motivated you to get involved in public service?

I have a strong interest in working to promote the public good with an emphasis on advancing health and well-being. Most of my adult life, I have been focused on the most vulnerable populations that experience the poorest quality of life. It is so humbling to work in concert with others and honoring the ideal that the sum is greater than its parts. Public service and specifically leading the Department of Health and Social Services provided me with the platform to advance policy and service delivery to enhance the quality of life of all Delawareans. It was a huge honor to serve our state.

What community endeavors are you proudest to engage in?

This question is of particular interest to me since the word community has many connotations to it. A community can be a geographical location, or a community can be a specific grouping of individuals with a specified mission or characteristics. I have benefited from a multifaceted engagement with “community.” I am most proud of the work I have engaged in with individuals with disabilities, and in advancing the civil rights of this population. I am also extremely proud of the work I am engaged in with advancing health equity in place-based communities that experience high poverty.

How does your organization contribute to expanding opportunity for people in Delaware?

I am excited to bring what I have learned in the field to the classrooms of the College of Health Sciences to help grow the next generation of health and social services professionals. I am equally excited to lead the UD Partnership for Healthy Communities; a cross-college, cross-state initiative. This provides me with a platform to align the assets of this university with the needs of our community by advancing research, education and service. As a University of Delaware alumna, I have great pride in serving as faculty at the institution who provided me with a solid educational framework.

Is there a philanthropist or philanthropic organization that inspires you?

Since most of my career has been in nonprofit organizations, I have witnessed firsthand, the value of philanthropy. Individuals who have a passion to engage in the causes they believe in and invest in the sustainability of the work inspire me. I am very excited about efforts that align for collective impact, which generate a greater return on single investments. United Way, Delaware Community Foundation, Philanthropy Delaware and Healthy Communities Delaware are examples of this collective effort. Delaware is a true state of neighbors and our philanthropists value the ability to align for greater impact.

If you could do one thing to increase equity in Delaware, what would you do?

I would increase the knowledge of what equity really means since there is confusion between equality and equity. The World Health Organization defines health equity as the highest level of health and well-being possible for everyone. Healthy equity addresses differences in population health that can be traced to unequal economic and social conditions that are systemic, avoidable and are inherently unjust. Health equity benefits everyone because health is a public good necessary for a well-functioning society. If we are going to advance health equity, we must embed it in our overall values and commit to advancing equity where inequities continue to exist.

Tell Us What Makes Delaware Communities Thrive #OurTownsDE

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Monday, October 21st, 2019

· No Comments

#2. “You can pick out the local ‘patriots.'”

What makes a community thrive? What makes a community that has been down on its luck turn things around – become vibrant, exciting, and growing? How do communities grow in ways that include everybody?

The answers are not easy to come up with. But thriving communities do share many common features. Successful communities have people focused on local possibilities, rather than national bitterness. They work together across sectors, party lines, economic statuses and class. And they have local “patriots” – people who believe deeply in their communities.

These are the joyful and not-so-surprising findings of James and Deborah Fallows, journalists and authors of the powerful book Our Towns: A 100,000 Mile Journey Into the Heart of the America.

They sum up by outlining “10½ Signs of Civic Success,” defining the trends and themes they identified in towns that are thriving despite facing challenges. To name just a few: big ideas, well-supported community colleges, and at least one craft brewery (that’s the “half”).

What struck me is that I see every one of those 10 1/2 signs here in Delaware. Local patriots and big ideas are flourishing – from the new 12-step center in Seaford to the state’s public-private partnership for economic development, the Second Chances Farm project to the Downtown Dover Partnership. We’ve got thriving community colleges, cohesive downtown areas and more.

I have more to say about their work – and you can read it in this op-ed from the News Journal.

#10-1/2. There are local craft breweries?

And then tell us how you see Delaware towns moving forward. Post your thoughts and comments with the hashtag #OurTownsDE.

And then, you can learn even more by reading their book, and attending a presentation by the Fallows on Wednesday, Nov. 6. Click here to learn more

5 Questions with Stu: Greg Abbott, Section Administrator, Delaware State Parks

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Tuesday, October 8th, 2019

· No Comments

Greg Abbott has served Delaware through his work in Delaware State Parks for 24 years. He manages the Division’s Administrative Services Division. He is a 1985 graduate of Salisbury University, and is a graduate of the Indiana University Executive Development Program for Parks and Recreation Professionals. Prior to his work with the state parks, he spent ten years at PNC Bank.

What motivated you to get involved in public service?

My first ten years of work experience were in banking in the private sector. This experience gave me a great opportunity to engage with other professionals who were in the service industry in the towns we served. As professionally rewarding as that work was, I felt something was missing.

As a lifelong Delawarean, I had visited and used many of our beaches and open spaces, but it wasn’t until I went to work with DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation that I truly began to appreciate the importance and impact that public service can have on the citizens and visitors to Delaware. As I see how lives are enhanced and changed each day by the parks, programs and amenities managed by Delaware State Parks, it motivates me daily and provides a professional and personal satisfaction that is very rewarding.

What community endeavors are you proudest to engage in?

I am really proud of the partnerships that Delaware State Parks has formed with our friends organizations around the state. These 501(c)3 nonprofits are formed by incredibly passionate supporters of their state parks to provide volunteer engagement, fundraising and advocacy. They truly become an extension of the staff at our parks and part of the State Park family. The thousands of hours of volunteer support they provide annually make a profound impact on the programs and amenities that Delaware State Parks are able to provide and we simply couldn’t do it without them. I would encourage anyone who loves their local state park to join that friends group. I can assure you that it will be a great experience and a rewarding way to give back.

How does your organization contribute to expanding opportunity for people in Delaware?

Delaware has an award-winning state park system. These parks and open spaces are an oasis for people to relax and participate in activities that promote healthy lifestyles. Examples include participating in volunteer events or becoming a friends member, environmental education and living history programs, camping and overnight accommodations, providing convenient connections to state parks for walking, biking, hiking, bird watching, equestrian trail rides, fishing, summer concert series, recreation leagues, etc. The division continues to enhance opportunities for disabled visitors to use state parks for boating, fishing, trail and beach access. In FY19, Delaware State Parks hosted more than 5.8 million visitors.

What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities facing philanthropy today?

One of the major challenges facing philanthropy today is a societal desire for immediate results without consideration for providing the resources for protecting the natural, cultural and historical assets for future generations to enjoy. Delaware State Parks has worked diligently to establish funds for nearly every state park to ensure that private endowment funding is available to supplement and support day-to-day park operations, maintenance and programming.

If you could do one thing to increase equity in Delaware, what would you do?

I believe that providing safe and enjoyable recreational opportunities and open spaces for all Delawareans to enjoy is critical. Delaware State Parks works daily to ensure every citizen in Delaware is able to enjoy these precious jewels with no social, financial, racial or ability barriers. DNREC’s Division of Parks is proud to serve all of Delaware citizens.

The American Dream in Sussex County

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Wednesday, September 25th, 2019

· No Comments

Delaware’s Latino population is growing and it’s growing fast. And that’s a good thing.

On Oct. 7, the DCF will be releasing a new report entitled Perspectives on the Latino Population in Sussex County, Delaware.

What we find is encouraging and inspiring. Now exceeding 20,000 people, Sussex County’s vibrant and diverse Latino community is bringing new passion to the belief in the American Dream.

“I raised smart and determined kids who don’t give up,” said Julia Roque, who immigrated from Puerto Rico in the 1970s. “They make me happy.”

Her children are now pursuing careers in communications, the military and nursing. Julia and her family are just one example.

The Sussex County Latino community contributes more than $50 million in tax revenue to Delaware annually. There are more than 800 Latino-owned businesses in the county. Nearly 25% of Sussex County Latinos aged 25 or older have earned college credits – 75% of them are women. They are learning English at breakneck speed, buying homes, holding down jobs, going to school and church, leading local sports leagues, and building community.

This is what America was built on. While many of us are grappling with whether the American Dream is still possible, the Latino community in Sussex County is living it. I’ve long expressed my continued belief in idea of the American Dream. This report gives me even more confidence that it has not vanished.

The report will be posted soon. In the meantime, you can sign up here for the Oct. 7 community conversation in Georgetown, where the report will be discussed.

This report, which was written by Drs. Jennifer Fuqua and April Veness at the University of Delaware, would not be possible without the support of a grant from CFLeads; the partnership and inspiration of Dr. Christine Cannon and the Arsht-Cannon Fund; the community leadership of La Esperanza and La Colectiva; and members of the Sussex County community.

Book Circles! Libraries! Beer!

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Wednesday, August 14th, 2019

· No Comments

It’s time for the DCF’s 2nd annual Building Opportunity Keynote and Book Circles*! This year we’re moving from Our Kids to Our Towns. Here’s the story:

How can we strengthen communities? What have communities across the country done to make themselves stronger, more resilient, more exciting places to be? How do communities address economic dislocation, loss of hope, opioid problems, and other challenges?

Those are the questions at the center of Our Towns, the new book from James and Deborah Fallows. On Nov. 6, the Fallowses will be the speakers at DCF’s 2nd annual Building Opportunity Keynote. The couple traveled over 100,000 miles across America – from Eastport Maine to Duluth, Minnesota; Ajo, Arizona and Demopolis, Alabama. Their answers involve art, libraries, entrepreneurialism, active citizens, beer and more.

(Yes, beer. Breweries turn out to have a big place in this book – the Fallowses are clearly my kind of people. As for libraries, well just read the book and you’ll see more.)

It’s a book about optimism and opportunity and hard work and hope. You’ll be able to buy tickets for the event soon.

But right now, sign up your book group, or form a book group, so you can read it in advance. With help from the Delaware Humanities Council, we have 500 copies of the book we’re giving away, so that the audience for this event will be ready to engage. Last year we gave away over 450 copies of Robert Putnam’s Our Kids. Join the discussion, and help us think about solutions for Our Towns.

(By the way, the event this year will be simulcast in several locations across the state. Watch for more information about that, too.)

*This program is partially funded by a grant from Delaware Humanities, a state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Winners of the DCF and Mikva Challenge's Project Soapbox competition on stage

“Project Soapbox” Inspires Wilmington Students

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Tuesday, June 18th, 2019

· No Comments

We’re in a kind of civics education revival in America.

For too many years, civics education has in too many circles been seen as a kind of quaint afterthought. We’ve cut back the time and importance of civics in our schools. And we thought it wouldn’t really matter.

But what we’re all finding is that the core value of democracy is losing some hold. In a 2018 survey, the bi-partisan Democracy Project asked a series of questions about democracy and Americans’ attitudes toward it. While the overall numbers remain extremely strong, young adults feel less strongly about the importance of democracy than adults over age 29. Meanwhile, more than 70% of Americans think America’s system of democracy as “weak.”

We clearly have work to do.

Not surprisingly, this is leading to broad and diverse calls for more civics education – from the political right, the political left to everywhere in between, Americans want more civics education and more commitment to American democracy. It seems the topics of civics education, civility and civic engagement are on the agenda of most of the national conferences I’m attending these days. At DCF, we’re looking for more civics education, too.

There are some great programs in Delaware. The long-standing Boys State and Girls State programs – sponsored by the American Legion – continue to inspire high school students to get involved. (I attended Buckeye Boys State at Ohio University many many years ago – and still remember it fondly.) The YMCA Youth in Government program does the same. The University of Delaware continues to run a first-rate training program for high school civics educators in the state.

Now, there’s a new entrant on the scene. Project Soapbox is a creation of the Mikva Challenge – a Chicago-based nonprofit committed to strengthening civics education. DCF and the Rodel Foundation were pleased to co-sponsor the project this year – in which eighty Red Clay School District middle school students stood up and spoke on issues that mattered to them – from net neutrality to human trafficking to animal welfare and more. A few dozen interested adults helped judge. We’re thrilled that the Red Clay teachers wanted to bring it here, and thrilled we could be part of it. You can read more about it here.

Going forward, we will be looking for more opportunities to help strengthen civics education in Delaware. If you’re interested in helping, let me know.

Libraries – Our Community Places

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Wednesday, March 13th, 2019

· 2 Comments

Libraries Rule!

This week, we learned the following:

New Castle County’s Route 9 Library and Innovation Center was named a finalist for the 2019 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. This prestigious award, given annually by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, is the nation’s highest honor recognizing museums and libraries for service to their communities. Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester nominated the library for this recognition.

The Route 9 library rocks. But not just that one. Libraries up and down the state provide incredibly important services and incredibly valuable community building functions. Libraries host financial literacy classes, job search seminars, public briefings, art shows, children’s time, computer classes, movie screenings, nonprofit board meetings, knitting sessions; they serve as a place for children to go after school, for seniors to meet during the day.

To pick just one, the Lewes Library last year hosted over 1,000 free programs (including 6 for children each week) with over 20,000 attendees; and hosted over 100 organizations and groups conducted over 800 meetings in their community rooms. Check out the website of your library. You’ll be amazed who is there.

Libraries are the quintessential small-d democratic community institution. It’s where we all meet, where we socialize, where we learn and where we relax.

I just finished a tremendous book called Palaces for the People. It’s by Eric Klinenberg and it’s a discussion about the increasing polarization in America, and the need to find common purpose. To do that, Klinenberg emphasizes the importance of shared places. Front and center are libraries. The name of the book comes from a term used during the construction of the hundreds of Carnegie libraries in the country in the early 20th century. Palaces for the people.

One of my favorite quotes from that book is from a young man named Andrew who works at the New York Public Library. He’d previously worked at Starbucks, and here’s what he said: “At Starbucks, and at most businesses, really, the assumption is that you, the customer, are better for having this thing that you purchase. Right? At the library, the assumption is you are better. You have it in you already. You just sort of need to be exposed to these things and provide yourself an education. The library assumes the best out of people. The services it provides are founded upon the assumption that if given the chance, people will improve themselves.”

Here’s what the Delaware state libraries say: “When community social infrastructure including libraries – is strong – individuals AND communities flourish!”

Hear hear.

While many of our long-time infrastructures are struggling, libraries continue to be strong.

So congratulations to New Castle County and the Route 9 library. And congratulations to all the libraries in the state and elsewhere – which strengthen our communities and strengthen our democracy.

And if you haven’t been to a library lately, stop by. It’s where we can be our best selves. And it’s where America meets.

Going Far Together

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Wednesday, February 27th, 2019

· No Comments

It’s long been said that if you want to go quickly, you go alone. But if you want to go far, go together.

Yesterday’s Focus on Wilmington showed the power of going together. It was DCF’s first community engagement session this year, and brought together 14 collaborative programs in the city, with a hundred citizens, leaders and activists – to share innovative work and break down silos.

Dorrell Green, recently named superintendent of the Red Clay School District, spoke about the Dual Generation Center at Stubbs Elementary School, a partnership between the state and Christina School District – a new center that will focus on early education but provide support for a broad range of family issues. Said Green to WDEL. “No one entity can do it alone. I just think this [event] is a good example of folks coming together to support, as a whole.”

From the Stubbs project to the comprehensive plans of REACH Riverside to break the burdens of inter-generational poverty in the Riverside Community, to the work of the Wilmington Leaders Alliance and Generations to reinvent employment pipelines, we heard from many of Wilmington’s most inspiring collaborative efforts. You can read about the programs that were highlighted here.

During the event, participants said things like, “I heard about things I’ve been wanting to do and learned they are already happening, and being done better,” and “This was a great way to learn about how funding aligns with community needs and a great way to connect with leaders.” And “I just didn’t know about this program, and it’s exactly what I’m looking for.” Collaboration is indeed well practiced in Wilmington and Delaware, with leaders like the Wilmington Community Advisory Council and United Way doing heavy lifting.

DCF organized this event as one of many activities to build on the work of our fall 2018 community leadership lecture from Bob Putnam, talking about his book Our Kids and about the opportunity gap in America. During the lead up to that event, and afterward, we heard repeatedly from friends and colleagues that folks wanted to know more about what’s going on and how to plug in. Even those of us most involved keep finding new programs that we didn’t previously know about, and which are great opportunities for partnerships.

There is so much tremendous work going on. And everybody knows that we need to work together. Most of us are working together. This program tried to broaden the connections. And it’s not the end. DCF is committed to helping bring people together to strengthen partnerships up and down the state. Watch for more about future focus conversations.

about the American Dream … book circles and a talk

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Tuesday, September 18th, 2018

· No Comments

I want to believe in the American Dream. I want to embrace the idea that with hard work and diligence, and a little help from others, we can all succeed and thrive. I want to stand behind the idea that wherever you are from, you can come here and you will have a chance to live a good life. I want us all to embrace that idea, and that reality.

And in parts – in places – it remains true. Unfortunately, in too many places and communities it’s just not the case. Robert Putnam’s book Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis is the best description of the fraying of that dream that I’ve ever read. I grew up not far from where Putnam grew up, in an Ohio that was an industrial power. Even twenty years after he grew up in the 1950s, the industrial heart of Ohio was still real. The jobs were real, the communities

Robert D. Putnam

were strong, the opportunities existed.

But where his classmates and mine could get good jobs in factori

es, those jobs no longer exist. Where his classmates and mine were embraced by a community and provided opportunities to learn and grow, to participate in activities and build their futures, it’s just that much harder now.

Many things led to this change. His book – Our Kids – talks about them, and tells the stories of families in America today, and what they are doing to strive for opportunity. In his books he tells about families in Port Clinton, Ohio; Bend, Oregon; Atlanta, Georgia; Orange County, California; and Philadelphia. He talks about families, parenting, schools, jobs, race, and religion.

It’s an important book, and worth reading. And we are giving away copies of the book. Thanks to the Delaware Humanities Council, we have 500 copies of the book to give to folks who want to host their own book groups. It’s one of the most important books I’ve read in recent years, and I urge you to check it out. Sign up – and get up to 10 copies for your book group. You can find out how here.

And then, once you’ve read it and discussed the book, come hear Dr. Putnam talk about the book and what he’s been thinking about since he wrote it. On November 14, we are hosting his presentation at the Baby Grand in Wilmington. Click here to get a ticket.

At the DCF, we believe that opportunity for all enhances the common good. Join us in a book group. Join us at the event. Let’s double-down on the American dream.

Better Together – Happy Fourth of July

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Monday, July 2nd, 2018

· No Comments

Happy Fourth of July week, and congratulations to this country and its audacious effort to combine deeply community-minded principles with a strong commitment to individual liberty, and the celebration of both.

As I write this, I’m considering the deeply disturbing shooting at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis. Every one of these shootings is a tragedy, in ways that are the same and in other ways that are different.

In this case, especially during this holiday when we celebrate our American freedoms, we should add a concern about the explicit attack on our deeply held commitment to free speech – and to a free press. I’m reminded of Thomas Jefferson’s observation – “were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” The news media has taken a beating in recent years. It’s not always perfect, but in the pursuit of a more perfect union, we need strong journalism to inform our society, to explain the news, and to present a variety of voices.

And that leads me to a point I deeply believe about the importance of the community foundation. Central to our work is the idea that we are and need to be an umbrella for the wide diversity of people in our communities. If you look at the many types of funds and people and activities with which the DCF is involved, you will find a little bit of everything that Delaware has to offer.

We are

Rural, urban, suburban
White, black, Hispanic
Conservative, liberal, moderate, apolitical
Male, female
Gay, straight
Christian, Jewish, Muslim, non-religious
Young, and old

And we are an organization – DEDICATED TO A PLACE – where all people are welcome and encouraged and celebrated. And in this strange time on the national political scene, we need organizations like the community foundation to step up and be counted.

We need to learn again how to make it safe for all of us to be part of our community, and how to celebrate our commonalities, understand our differences, and disagree without demonizing others.

I know that this work matters. It’s not easy and there’s no simple solution. But it matters, and it’s a big part of why we’re here.

Thanks for being our partners in this work.

* * *
You can click here to read more of my thoughts on this topic, and my annual year-in-review presentation.

State of the Foundation FY 2018

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