Co-sponsored by UUSD’s Social and Environmental Justice Committee
Over 25 people showed up at UUSD on Sunday April 6 to assemble 100 backpacks for distribution to people leaving Sussex Correctional Institution with little or nothing. Each backpack contained socks; laundry detergent; a folder with information about resources; a wallet; a bus pass; toiletries including hand sanitizer, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razor, shaving cream, etc.; ear plugs; and a water bottle. Some volunteers also wrote notes of encouragement that were added to the pack.
In addition to UUSD, volunteers came from Seaside Jewish Community, the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice, and the Psi Iota Chapter of the Omega Psi Psi fraternity, Inc. Donations from UUSD’s share the plate, the groups already mentioned, the Lifer’s Group from Sussex Correctional Institution, M & T Bank, PIRCOD (Partnership in Reentry Coalition of Delaware) and many caring individuals made the purchase of backpacks, plus most of the included items, possible. Teach a Person to Fish Society, TruEarth Detergent, Inc., and Mack’s Earplugs donated items for inclusion as did some individuals.
The organizers were UUSD, Seaside Jewish Community, The Way Home, the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice, PIRCOD, and the Delaware Center for Justice. This was truly an example of a many groups collaborating to care for others — with the Delaware Center for Justice and The Way Home providing staff support. The completed backpacks went to The Way Home, a transitional housing and support nonprofit for people leaving prison in Georgetown, for distribution to those in need upon their release.
To learn more about the experiences of those returning to society after serving time in Delaware’s prison, come to the Reentry Simulation on May 10 from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. at DelTech Georgetown. Register for that event by clicking here.