NU FRIENDSHIP OUTREACH SPONSORED PROGRAMS

Our Omega Village Enrichment Program began in December 2003 with a small group of 10 young males, ranging from age 8-13. We met once a week, twice a month at the Marion T. Academy in Wilmington, DE. At each session, volunteers presented a famous African-American men in the form of a biographical sketch, and the young males are randomly selected to read “bullet points” about this man. While reading, a variety of comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, phonics, and phonemic awareness quesions are posed to the youngsters. 

Additionally, basic mathematics-related questions are asked of the students. After the biographical portion of each session is completed, the young males are actively engaged in activities on topics such as leadership, why they take certain courses in school, good health habits, etiquette, career awareness, test-taking skills, character development, conflict resolution, Scrabble, and Chess/Checkers. The students are given pizza and drinks, provided by a sponsor of OVEP, at the beginning of each meeting.

In October 2009, OVEP went through a rebirth and is now operating in collaboration with the Maurice Moyer Academy. Previous participants and new students from Moyer constitute the pool of young men who are a part of the program. 2020 brings another change in the program; Starting in October, all OVEP sessions will be held at P.S. Dupont Middle School in Wilmington, Delaware.

P.S. DuPont MS is home to almost 900 sixth, seventh and eigth grade kids. The BSD Gifted Program is located at P.S. Dupont, as is The Brumskill Early Childhood Assistance Program (ECAP). At P.S. kids are encouraged to do their best every day.

In its 18th year, Toys for Tots a community service project done in conjunction with multiple Wilmington Delaware based Community Centers, has partnered with retail giant "5 Below" to enhance the holiday shopping experience for all that we serve by making the gift buying process more personal. Each participant gets to choose 2 gifts from any racks in the store.

Each year in December, N.U. Friendship Outreach host children and their parents as its guests for this holiday celebration, with a visit from St. Nick who adds joy and excitement for all in attendance. This event has grown from 40 youth and parents in 2001 to over 100 in 2021.

The Talent Hunt is a mechanism for youth of our community to express their performing and visual arts skills. Talent Hunt winners have appeared at the Apollo Theater, Radio City Music Hall, the Eastman Theater in Upstate New York, the Philadelphia Academy of Music and Civic Center, and in other performing arts venues across the United States.

N.U. Friendship Outreach has been a proponent and supporter of the Talent Hunt by implementing an exciting talent competition in each year of its existence. Students are required to complete an entry application and to prepare themselves for an electrifying display of talent. Prizes for the winners range from $700 for first place to $300 for third place. All contestants receive certificates of participation.

The Talent Hunt is a signature event of N.U. Friendship Outreach, Inc. and has been rewarding to us, as well as to the many gifted youth who have participated over the years. We will continue to search for and support our talented young people!