New role could be ‘missing link’ in finding housing for Wilmington homeless downtown
“The city of Wilmington is looking to add a social worker to bridge the gap between those living unsheltered downtown and services that could help them find housing.
A priority for the position will be building relationships with the homeless who spend their days and nights downtown.
Existing organizations are already doing some of that work, but they say more outreach can only help.
Rick Stoker, the CEO of First Fruit Ministries, has worked for more than 20 years to build trust and relationships with Wilmington’s homeless. His organization distributes food twice a week, driving around the city to find spots where unsheltered individuals are gathered.
At a recent food distribution near the downtown library, Stoker greeted every person who gathered to get a to-go container filled with baked chicken, rice, vegetables and a cookie.”