April 1, 2025 – The Delaware Bar Foundation is proud to announce the allocation of grants to several impactful programs aimed at uplifting and empowering individuals and communities across the state of Delaware. These grants highlight the Foundation’s continued commitment to fostering justice, education, and opportunities for all Delawareans.
Grant Recipients and Initiatives:
- ILYA/DSBA Backpacks for Graduates ($6,500)
In collaboration with the Independent Living for Young Adults program, operated through the First Unitarian Church, the Delaware State Bar Association (DSBA) is filling backpacks with essential items for young adults graduating and aging out of the foster care system. This initiative provides tangible support to these individuals as they embark on their journey toward independence. - Delaware Center for Justice ($4,980)
Funding will support expungement applications for eligible Delawareans who cannot afford the application expenses required to clear their records. This crucial initiative enables successful and productive reentry into the community, transforming lives through second chances. - La Esperanza ($5,000)
Supporting citizenship education for eligible individuals in Sussex County, La Esperanza is helping 50 students complete their course this spring, sit for the citizenship test and become United States citizens. - West End Neighborhood House ($5,000)
Launching a pilot program, "Enhancing Entrepreneurial Success through LLC Operating Agreements," West End Neighborhood House is supporting low-income residents through their Launcher Entrepreneurship Program. With legal assistance from volunteer attorneys, this initiative ensures aspiring business owners can successfully formalize their businesses in two targeted cohorts in Bear and Wilmington. - The Teen Warehouse ($5,000)
This grant contributes to the salary of an Out-of-School Youth Mentor, who provides critical job training, GED preparation, and other support for young individuals who are unable to return to school. The program ensures these youth are on paths to becoming contributing and successful adults.
The Delaware Bar Foundation is honored to support these innovative programs. The Delaware Bar Foundation’s mission is to improve the administration of justice in Delaware by 1) providing legal services for the impoverished, 2) promoting study and research in the field of law, 3) fostering knowledge of citizenship rights and responsibilities and 4) enhancing public respect for the rule of law.
Download the press release: document Community grant press release March 2025 (24 KB)