MAJC NOW Helps Dover Envision New Possibilities with Federal Funding Opportunities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday June 28th, 2022

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‪(202) 596-5271‬

On Tuesday, residents and local officials from the Dover area gathered at Wesley United Methodist Church for a MAJC NOW meeting to map out a way to turn their vision for their community into a reality. The meeting included leaders from the community like Councilman Gerald Rocha, Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester.

At the meeting, residents, local officials, and MAJC NOW team members gathered to share their vision for their community. Residents discussed issues they are facing like gun violence, dirty water, lack of access to safe recreational spaces for youth, and ideas to improve their community like improvements to infrastructure, good jobs, and a riverwalk near Capital Green. The MAJC NOW team is working side-by-side with Dover residents and local officials to identify and pursue funding available to make the community’s vision come to life.

Community Member and MAJC NOW Community Leader, Akima Brown, said “I’m really excited about what's happening right now regarding MAJC NOW because I think we really need to bring in federal monies for the local community for clean drinking water, park rebuilding and revitalization, and getting us into a place where our community can actually have access to the resources and assets that would help us to be better.”

An 18 year old resident of South New Street, said “That’s all I really want for my community– an outreach program, a community center, a basketball court, a pool. Somewhere where these kids can go and feel loved. Somewhere that you don’t have to worry about this person got shot yesterday, Someone got beat up, 2 people overdosed yesterday. When does it end?”

“I am proud to be with members of the Mid Atlantic Justice Coalition as we listen to and uplift our community.  The work of addressing systemic issues and empowering communities begins with an open dialogue,” Lt. Governor Hall-Long said, “History shows that, when communities are not at the table, they are on the menu.”

“That’s why this coalition is so important, because the goal here is to make sure you know what’s available to you and to leave nobody behind.” said Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester. 

Photos:

• https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1dEWmoH9tyuCige1lxfMPoC4b0BSiOmMI?usp=sharing

Captions:

• Young woman from Dover shares her ideas to improve her community at the MAJC NOW meeting

• MAJC NOW Team Members Jay Monteverde and Kerri Evelyn Harris list community concerns on easel at MAJC NOW meeting

• Local youth showed up and shared ideas to improve their community at the MAJC NOW meeting

• Local community member shares her ideas to improve Dover at the MAJC NOW community meeting

• MAJC NOW Community Leadership Team member Daniel Wilson shares his thoughts on improving Dover at the MAJC NOW meeting

• Dover Councilman Gerald Rocha addresses community members at MAJC NOW meeting

• Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester listens to community member's ideas to improve their community at the MAJC NOW meeting

• MAJC NOW Community Leadership Team member Akima A Brown addresses community members at MAJC NOW meeting

• Over 30 residents and officials joined by MAJC NOW Team Members share their ideas to improve Dover

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MAJC NOW is a program created by the MidAtlantic Justice Coalition, a DC, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia community-focused coalition that lives at the intersection of economic and environmental justice. We work with communities to create good economic