DELAWAREANS INVITED TO SERVICE AND VOLUNTEERISM LISTENING TOUR STOPS

NEW CASTLE (March 28, 2012) - Delawareans are invited to speak out about service and volunteerism at any of four listening tour stops scheduled across the state in the next six weeks.

The Governor's Commission on Community and Volunteer Service and the State Office of Volunteerism are hosting the Delaware Voices Listening Tour. Comments and information gathered during the stops will provide the framework for the State Service Plan. The plan is used to identify critical needs, and to guide future programs and investments that support service and volunteer activities.

Listening tour stops have been scheduled in each county and one specifically in the City of Wilmington. The schedule:

• Monday, April 2: Milton Library, 121 Union St., Milton, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 11: Delaware Technical & Community College-Terry Campus, Corporate Training Center, Room 400B, Dover, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Monday, April 16: Boys and Girls Club, U.S. 40 and 1 Positive Place, Newark, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 9: Delaware Center for Horticulture, 1810 N. DuPont Highway, Wilmington, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

"Service and volunteerism are important to our families, our communities and our state," Gov. Jack Markell said. "We want to hear directly from Delawareans what we are doing well and the areas where we can do better when it comes to critical needs and future programs. As we shape our future, we thank the thousands of Delawareans who have the strength of heart to help others and to make our state a better place to live."

"The listening tour is a crucial way to hear a diverse collection of voices," said Rita Landgraf, secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services, which oversees the State Office of Volunteerism. "With our State Service Plan using service as a strategy to improve the quality of life for every Delawarean, we look forward to these conversations with residents. We know they specifically can help us understand the gaps in service."

For more information about service and volunteerism in Delaware, or to RSVP to attend a tour stop, go to www.volunteerdelaware.org

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.