IMMEDIATE RELEASE | July 15, 2024
Contact: Sarah Fulton (302) 401-1114
WILMINGTON — Senator Darius Brown hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the new community center at the Peoples Settlement Association Monday morning.
“Peoples Settlement Association has faithfully served the Eastside of Wilmington for more than a century, providing our children with opportunities to grow, our seniors with resources they need, and our families with a place of community and fellowship,” said Senator Brown. “We secured $12 million in funding in this year’s bond bill for construction on this new community center. I’m honored to stand beside so many giants from our community today as we break ground on this new project and reaffirm our commitment to Wilmington’s eastside.”
The ceremony featured remarks from past and present leadership of the Association, including Mrs. Sandra Ballard, Mr. Keith Lake, Councilman Jea Street Sr. on behalf of the family of Arthur Boswell, Mayor James H. Sills, Jr., and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester, who was there with her family in honor of the Honorable Theodore “Ted” Blunt.
“Today, surrounded by residents; elected and community leaders; and three generations of the Blunt Family, we broke ground on a new beginning for the Peoples Settlement Association,” said Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester. “Our roots in Wilmington began in 1969 on the East Side, when our dad – Ted Blunt – moved the family here to take a job at the Peoples Settlement Association. Through uncertain times, Peoples Settlement has remained resilient and resolute, providing services and culture. We are grateful to all the partners who made this announcement a reality – especially State Senator Darius Brown and Governor John Carney for their leadership. We were honored to join former Wilmington Mayor Jim Sills and the family of the late, executive director, Art Boswell to the Peoples Settlement Board and Executive Director Sandra Ballard. We know that Dad is looking down on all of us beaming with pride as we carry on the legacy of Peoples Settlement into the future by investing in our young people, our families, and our seniors in this impactful way.”
Students from the Christina Cultural Arts Center performed a dance number ahead of remarks from State Representative Stephanie T. Bolden, Mayor Mike Purzycki, and Governor John Carney.
“When Mayor Sills was my thesis advisor in graduate school he pushed me to not only point out problems when I see them, but figure out ‘what I’m going to do about it.’ That’s continued to be a guiding principle for me in my years of public service,” said Governor Carney. “We’ve worked together to make sure federal and state investments are going directly into organizations helping families. We’ve invested millions in affordable housing. We’re about to open the first school in Wilmington in 50 years with Maurice Pritchett Sr. Academy. And this investment in Peoples Settlement Association will benefit so many families on the East Side.
I want to thank Senator Brown for his leadership and members of the General Assembly who serve on the Bond Bill Committee who made this a priority. I’m looking forward to the ribbon cutting.”
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