Fall Harvest Issue

Success Story: Shanae

Bright Spot Ventures (BSV) welcomed Shanae Irby as a Sales Associate in mid-July 2012. Despite aging out of foster care, struggling to find employment and dealing with other personal issues, she learned to work well with the team and even took on a leadership role.

An avid writer, she read an original poem to First Lady Carla Markell during her visit to the Cool Spring Farmers' Market. Now living on her own and beginning an externship at Fresh Thymes Café, she plans to return to college in the spring. In her own words: "Everything is a challenge, the winners are the ones who keep striving."

Success Story: Quetzy

Quetzy, 17, is a current participant in West End's Lifelines program for foster care youth, and recently completed coursework in the agency's Employment & Education department. Despite an unstable home environment, Quetzy has made amazing progress - advancing 7 grade levels and earning a GED in only 3 months!

Quetzy successfully completed an internship this summer, is actively seeking employment and will apply to start college in the spring after the birth of her baby. Her dedication and hard work is truly inspiring, and we are so proud of her!

Backpack Donation

Many thanks to Fox & Roach Charities for their generous donation of nearly 90 backpacks full of school supplies...and
just in time for the back to school rush!

Mayor & City Council Support West Side Revitalization Plan

On Friday, Sept. 28th at 10:00 a.m. in Mayor Baker's office, the City of Wilmington hosted a signing ceremony celebrating the joint release of an Executive Order by the Mayor and a Resolution by Wilmington City Council in support of the West Side Revitalization Plan.

Many thanks to everyone who has worked so hard to bring this about. By gaining the official support of both the legislative and executive branches of City government, West Side Grows Together has achieved a major step in aligning resources toward the implementation of the plan.

Cornerstone Featured in Affordable Housing Publication

Affordable Housing News Magazine's Summer 2012 edition included a feature on Cornerstone West's Pavilion and Link projects, both located in the city of Wilmington and part of the larger, 10-year West Side Revitalization Plan. Click here to read the article (located on pg. 36).