In the City

THE CITY

BoA GRANT SUPPORTS YOUTH CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Wilmington’s 2022 Youth Career Development Program (YCD), which helps younger City residents develop valuable work skills and prepare them for a successful career and future, received a $100K grant from Bank of America to help employ 275 young people in numerous professions and internships this summer.

In addition to the financial support, BoA provides Better Money Habits® financial literacy sessions, run by bank employees, to all YCD participants. The sessions break down Bank of America representatives present a $100,000 check to the Parks and Recreation 2022 Youth Career Development Program at an event at financial topics like budgeting, building credit, borrowing, the Stubbs Early Education Center in Wilmington on Thursday. investing, and more in a fun and interactive way. As they earn Photo by WITN 22/Stimpson their first paychecks they are learning and receiving tools they -can use to set goals for future financial success.

“The continued financial commitment over the past seven years and financial literacy programming from Bank of America has been impactful for the program and our teens,” said Mayor Purzycki. “We appreciate Bank of America’s generosity and continued support of the future of the City of Wilmington and our residents.”

The grant is part of Bank of America’s philanthropic giving efforts in local communities. Recipients were selected for their commitment to addressing basic needs and workforce development for individuals and families.

ETHICS COMMISSION TRAINS CITY WORKERS

Mayor Mike Purzycki has announced that every full-time City employee in City—more than 900 in all—completed extensive ethics training in FY 2022 as offered by the City’s independent Ethics Commission.

“At the start of my Administration in 2017, we reconstituted the Ethics Commission so that as we strived to achieve excellence in public service, we would conduct ourselves and the business of City government with the highest standards of accountability, principle, integrity, and values,” said Mayor Purzycki. “Thanks to the work of the Ethics Commission and the Department of Human Resources we have embraced ethics and the importance of ethical practices in government as never before.”

The employee ethics training included topics like conflict of interest, prohibited political activities, the receiving of gifts, abuse of office, and an understanding of the City’s Code of Ethics. The training was offered both live and virtually over the first part of 2022. For more info. about the Ethics Commission, visit: www.wilmingtonde.gov/government/boardscommissions-and-committees/wilmington-ethics-commission.

LONG TIME CITY DIRECTOR STEPS DOWN

Wilmington said goodbye to a long-time City employee in July when Director of Constituent Services Jen Prado stepped down after a 16-year career assisting constituents to maneuver through City government programs and services.

Jen became Constituent Services Director in 2017, but long before then had been known throughout the City as a person residents and businesses could turn to when they needed City government guidance. Jen provided valuable assistance to three Mayors and numerous members of City Council over nearly two decades as she interacted daily with the public. Not only was Jen able to help the public understand what the City had to offer them, but she also informed City administrations what wasn’t working properly within the government and how to fix it.

Jen begins a new chapter of her career with the City of Newark, where she’ll supervise tax and utility billing services. We wish Jen and her family the very best and thank her for her many years of dedicated service.

Mayor Purzycki and outgoing Constituent Services Director Jen Prado

YOUTH POLICE ACADEMY GRADUATES 24

Mayor Purzycki and Police Chief Robert Tracy congratulate the 24 young men and women who graduated from the WPD’s annual Youth Police Academy on July 1. The participants, who were joined by parents and family members, were awarded certificates of completion during a ceremony held at the Chase Fieldhouse, along with members of the Wilmington Police Department’s command staff, Honor Guard, and those officers who assisted during the academy program.

Academy staff also recognized several participants with special awards recognizing leadership, physical fitness, and sportsmanship during the twoweek program held at the Police Athletic League of Wilmington from June 20 - July 1. One special honor awarded to a participant was the Terrence Newton Positive Impact Award, recognizing consistent effort and positive engagement and carrying the namesake of the late principal of Warner Elementary School. Youth Police Academy 2022 graduates.

“It is wonderful to see how much these young men and women gained from participating in this program, and to hear how much they have learned about law enforcement and community service,” said Chief Tracy. “It is also rewarding to see the friendships they have built with our police officers, who served as their mentors and role models for the past two weeks.”

“The WPD Youth Academy is a fantastic opportunity for young people who are interested in law enforcement, or who may simply benefit from positive interactions with our police officers, to gain first-hand experience about the challenges and rewards associated with police work,” said Mayor Purzycki. “I congratulate all of the graduates and thank the many WPD officials who put this program together each year, as well as JPMorgan Chase for their continued support.”