Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Church

Hilltop Lutheran Neighborhood Center

Learning with Dr. Suess at Hilltop

March was Dr. Suess month at the Hilltop Lutheran Neighborhood Center as the students celebrated the legendary writer’s birthday with science and reading experiences.

Youth Services Coordinator, Teresa Allen, says the students worked together on their projects.  “Our K-1st grade friends read Green Eggs and Ham in small groups, while our 2nd-3rd grade friends tackled The Lorax. Our big kid friends in 4th-5th grade read The Sneetches. All the stories focused on trying new things and looking at different situations from all perspectives, not just our own, and how, in doing that, you can potentially make yourself feel better on the inside.”

As for the science side of things, Teresa says “the kids had an opportunity to look at different sea life, insects, and reptile specimens from fossils to minerals that are indigenous to their specific habitats. Some little ones helped prep our center’s garden, pulling weeds and laying soil for fresh flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Other students,” Teresa noted, “put their engineering side to the test, building sturdy towers as high as they could with Jenga blocks. Others took to food science and prepared No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies. They enjoyed gathering, and measuring out the ingredients, while enjoying a fun snack that they made on their own.”

If only science had been this much fun when I was in school….

With an eye toward higher education, Hilltop Deputy Director, Brandon Furrowh, reports “with much excitement, the Hilltop Lutheran Neighborhood Center enters its third year of stewarding the Clarence and Helen Pettit Scholarship. To date, this venture (established by Rev. Clarence and Hellen Pettit to assist with post-secondary education costs) has impacted 11 students and their families, totaling nearly $17,000.00 in aid.”

Recently, Brandan says, scholarship access information has expanded on the internet. “The updated textbook assistance and tuition assistance applications have been added to the scholarship page of Hilltop’s website (https://www.hilltoplnc.org/about-1). We are looking forward to another impactful and productive year.” 

Finally, another big story at Hilltop also comes from Deputy Director Furrowh who says the Center recently teamed up with Jobs for Delaware Graduates.  (We co-sponsored) “a job fair with educational resources and a mental health break for high school students. Together, the components of the event exceeded the standards for the Study Break Live program funded by the United Way of Delaware. This event hosted over 150 teenagers and their families and engaged the families with 36 vendors ready to hire teenagers, food from Chick-fil-a, and several gaming trucks.” 

Eric F. Mease

Member, Board of Directors

Hilltop Lutheran Neighborhood Center

Hilltop Lutheran Neighborhood Center’s Annual Report 2023

2023 was a year of success for Hilltop Lutheran Neighborhood Center. We were able to maintain enrollment, retain and hire new staff, increase pay and provide bonuses for staff. We also provided bonuses for staff who retired with 20 years or more of service again this year. We began a capital improvement campaign to provide additional classrooms, meetings spaces and a full-size gym. Several staff enrolled in higher education through The Early Childhood Innovation Center (ECIC) program at Delaware State University. 

The Reverend Clarence and Helen Pettit Scholarship Program continued to thrive. Three recipients received scholarships totaling $5,000. Kiah Spinks, a former Hilltop participant, became a judge in Virginia. Dr. Daman Harris, former Hilltop participant, wrote a book and is scheduled to have a book signing at Hilltop in March 2024. Our deputy director was named the Community Father of the Year by Every Man Counts Foundation. Our executive director successfully defended her dissertation.

Health and mental health were big topics at Hilltop in 2023. A certified clinical health coach and a licensed massage therapist were brought in bi-weekly for staff. A wellness room was created for staff and families. Mental health was also incorporated for our early childhood education participants. This was done through a Music, Movement, and Mindfulness program that was instructed to give children the tools to handle BIG emotions.

We would not have been able to achieve the 2023 successes without the ongoing and increased support received from various donors and sponsors. The State of Delaware through Purchase of Care, Department of Education - State Funded Early Care and Education (formerly known as ECAP), New Directions Early Head Start (University of Delaware) and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) continued to be major contributors to agency operations. Our long-standing partnerships with New Directions Early Head Start (NDEHS) and the Department of Education- State Funded Early Care and Education (formerly known as ECAP), allowed us to continue providing comprehensive services to participants from infant to five years old and their families. Funding from the United Way of Delaware and Grant in Aid continued to support and enhance our after-school and evening programs and services for youth. Programs included literacy, free haircuts, DJ workshops, cooking and percussion classes and Vacation Bible School. 

Funding from the Lutheran churches continued to enable us to provide medical benefits for full-time staff and assistance to families in need. Lutheran church members provided more than 300 Thanksgiving baskets for Hilltop staff, families, and greater community, as well as Christmas gifts for all Hilltop participants. Funding from Herb and Marie Bollman continued to be vital to programming offered at Hilltop in 2023.   

We look forward to continued success in 2024. 

Sincerely,

Michelle J. Williams, Ph.D.

Executive Director