Our mission is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to increase literacy and achieve economic independence and family stability.

Description:
For the past fourteen years, Reflections has been committed to providing youth with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and the skills necessary to achieve economic and personal independence and an enhanced quality of life for themselves and their children. The program enables these youth to better provide for their families' needs by focusing on the skills and attitudes necessary to increase literacy, enhance employability, promote personal and family growth, and encourage community involvement. Participants of Reflections achieve self-sufficiency through activities that allow the practical application of newly acquired competencies. Reflections' holistic and comprehensive approach to adult education, family literacy, and employment services is conducted through academic, life skills, financial literacy, work readiness, parenting, and parent & child together classes. Additionally, supportive services, such as case management, are essential to program and participant success.

History:
West End Neighborhood House, Inc. has been serving the diverse needs of low-income families in Wilmington, Delaware since its inception in 1883. Its mission is to assist individuals in achieving self-sufficiency and reaching and maintaining their maximum potential. West End attains this goal through a myriad of innovative and comprehensive services including WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), transitional housing, community revitalization, housing assistance and counseling, recreational programs, crisis alleviation (assistance with rent, utilities, food, and clothing), tutoring, daycare, and before and aftercare programs for children. However, one of its most note-worthy accomplishments is that of providing literacy services to its neighborhood residents since the early 1900's. In 1992, recognizing the increased need for literacy services for youth, West End initiated the Reflections Program, funded under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, which is designed to empower youth to become self-sufficient members of society. Reflections targets at- risk older and younger youth between the ages of 16-21, who are low income [receiving some form of Public Assistance such as TANF (Temporary Aid to Needy Families)], have not yet attained a high school diploma or GED, and are residents of New Castle County, DE (with a concentration in the city of Wilmington). These participants are also often not in the workforce; deficient in basic literacy skills; school dropouts; homeless, runaways, or foster children; pregnant and/or parenting; or they require additional assistance to complete an educational program or to secure and/or hold employment. In 2001, Reflections expanded its services to include parent education, early childhood education, and Parent and Child Together (PACT) activities (the four components of Even Start Family Literacy Programs). Additionally, in 2004, Reflections took on a further expansion to include extensive work readiness, job development and placement services through the Delaware Department of Labor.

Contact people:

Kenyetta McCurdy-Byrd, Program Director, (phone), (email) Jim Hawkins, Case Manager, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (302) 888-5314

Address:

710 N Lincoln Street Wilmington, DE 19805 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.westendnh.org

Directions:

Directions to West End from I-95 coming NORTH: Driving North on I-95, as you enter the city of Wilmington, the Blue Rocks Baseball Stadium will be on your right. Pass the Maryland Avenue Exit. Take the Delaware Avenue Exit (which is the first. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: DART 6 & 8/700 N Lincoln St., 0 minute walk For maps or information, please see http://www.septa.com/

Miscellaneous Information

Are court referrals welcomed?
	Yes