Residents across Delaware are taking on local health and wellness issues, some of which were recently highlighted in the Lt. Governor’s Wellness Leadership Challenge Awards.
Among those honored by Hall-Long at the May 31 ceremony was Layne Vasey, who offers “Soulful Art” workshops to teenagers to help them manage stress.
Hall Long said Vasey’s “4-H work in Delaware includes churches, libraries, teen mental health initiatives and clubs for over 175 young people, really helping them realize their own self-worth.”
Vasey said she began organizing art workshops through her 4-H chapter after seeing her friends struggling during the pandemic, an effort that grew into “Soulful Art.”
“In my opinion, if we can prevent just one suicide, we’ve conquered the world.”
But Vassey said it can’t work without the support of the community.
“The community has been incredibly supportive, donating books and art supplies. Through multiple calls and visits to local libraries, churches and thrift stores, the teens were able to select vintage books for their sentimental expressions.”
Other organizations receiving the Lt. Governor’s Wellness Leadership Challenge Award include Hope on Deck, Inc, W.B. Simpson Elementary, Mother Baby & Beyond, Bayhealth, ChristianaCare Family Medicine Residency Program and Dr. Keith Pettiford.
This year’s ceremony introduced new “Community Spotlight” certificates to recognise the efforts of a range of organisations.
Organizations that received certificates include 100 Black Men of Delaware, Black Mothers in Power, Cancer Support Community of Delaware, Charity Crossing, ChristianaCare School-Based Health Center Behavioral Health Therapist Team, Delaware Elder Care Advocacy Coalition, Dover Police Behavioral Health Unit, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Nurses & Neighbors and Tether Foundation.
