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Day of Peace and Healing event held in Georgetown

Georgetown Police Chief Ralph Holm reaches out and shares a moment with Karter Jones Akins, 6, during the Sussex County Community Day of Peace and Healing. Karter’s father, Jeffrey L. Akins Jr., was murdered Aug. 8, 2020 in Seaford. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
May 25, 2022

The inaugural Sussex County Community Day of Peace and Healing took place May 21 at the Richard Allen School in Georgetown. The event is designed to bring the county together in fellowship and kick off a summer of non-violence.

Cape High alumni and event coordinators Lorenzo Hopkins and Cliffvon Howell created the event to bring the community together with the police departments and other agencies to get things done and help people to live in peace.

Another purpose of the event, Hopkins said, is to dispel the myth that police officers don’t want to solve unsolved murders in the area; officers must have enough evidence to get a conviction, and they need help from the community.

The event was free and offered the public the ability to network and learn how to find available resources.

Violence is not a Black problem, Hopkins said, it affects people of all ages, income levels, sexual orientation and race, who all could have benefited from attending this free event, which offered entertainment, vendors and information provided by community organizations.

For more information, go to www.capegazette.com/article/day-peace-and-healing-set-may-21/239362.

 

Speaking about the event are (l-r) Georgetown Police Chief Ralph Holm, event co-creator Lorenzo Hopkins, Jane Hovington and co-creator Cliffvon Howell.
Cape grad Vaughn Hopkins is the co-director for the Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers program at Delaware State University. Verizon has launched an engaging, hands-on program developed to enrich learning through design thinking, 3D printing, augmented reality, social entrepreneurship and mentorship for middle school students that is facilitated by Delaware State University and other postsecondary institutions throughout the country.
Cape grad Tracy Duffy promotes the event on Facebook Live.
Getting ready to promote the event are (l-r) Cliffvon Howell, Christopher Trower, Lorenzo Hopkins and Tracy Duffy.
Jada Robins, 9, gets major air in the bounce house.
Karter Jones Akins, 6, flips while Jada Robins dunks in the bounce house.
Event Co-coordinator Cliffvon Howell speaks with the attendees about the violence in Sussex County communities.
Pastor Tambara Stewart of the Restoration Worship Center opens the event in prayer.
Cape grad and event co-coordinator Lorenzo Hopkins speaks about the unsolved murders in the local area and how violence affects everyone.
Jane Hovington of the Richard Allen Coalition gives the history of the Richard Allen School and the good things it does to promote peace.
Members of First State Community Action Agency give out information on services they offer, COVID tests, energy-saving tips, rental assistance, utility assistance and food pantry, among others. Shown are in back are (l-r) Georgetown Police Chief Ralph Holm, Brentdy Chavez, Sandi Hagens-Morris and Aree Youmans, 8. Sitting are Bruce Wright, Jaime Sayler and Martin Duffy.
Working the RI International Crisis Health Recovery Services table are constable Bradley Cordrey and Natascha Hughes, state director of operations. The southern Delaware Crisis center is at 700 Main St. in Ellendale. The center’s primary focus is offering services in crisis, health, recovery and consulting.
Woodbridge grad Sgt. Chateedra McGee gives out information at the Army National Guard table.
Christopher Trower of Good Music Inc. keeps the music flowing throughout the event.
Markishia Wise from Blessed by the Best catering cooks up some tasty chicken, fish and fries.
Pastor Tambara Stewart, left, of the Restoration Worship Center relaxes with the Rev. John Mizzelle.
Members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority provide information. Shown in back is Shorel Clark. In front are (l-r) Yvonne Lomax, Mary C. Lomax and Akiliah Church.
Ken Livingston, director of Get Delaware Reading, works the United Way reading program table.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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