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A conference, “Ending Homelessness in Delaware: Learn, Collaborate, Succeed,” is being sponsored by the University of Delaware's Center for Community Research and Service (CCRS) and the Homeless Planning Council of Delaware from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 23, at the Clayton Hall Conference Center, on UD's Laird campus in Newark.

Robert Egger, founder and president of DC Central Kitchen, will deliver the keynote address at 9:15 a.m. DC Central Kitchen uses donated food to provide unemployed men and women with job training in the culinary arts, and the meals they create are then donated to those in need. Egger is the author of Begging for Change: The Dollars and Sense of Making Nonprofits Responsive, Efficient and Rewarding for All. The book received the 2004 McAdams Prize for Best Nonprofit Management Book from the Alliance for Nonprofit Management. Egger was named one of the “50 Most Powerful and Influential Nonprofit Leaders of 2006” by the NonProfit Times.

His talk will be followed by a session on research and findings on homelessness, “1986-2006: 20 Years in Delaware,” at 10 a.m. Stephen Peuquet, director of CCRS, and Rosalind Kotz, a doctoral student in urban affairs and public policy, will be among the presenters.

Another highlight of the conference, scheduled for 11:20 a.m., will be the unveiling of the “10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness and Reduce Long-Term Homelessness,” developed by the Delaware Interagency Council on Homelessness.

Christopher Coons, county executive of New Castle County, who served as county council president from 2000-04, and is committed to housing and community development issues, will be the featured luncheon speaker at 12:30 p.m.

At 2 p.m., “Succeed for the Future...Policymakers' Forum,” will be held, during which Delaware policymakers will address the issues of homelessness and answer questions.

The conference planning committee includes Signe Clayton Bell, CCRS community relations and student placement coordinator; Anne Camasso, CCRS coordinator; Peuquet and Kotz.

The conference is open to the public but preregistration is required. Cost is $35 for early bird registration though Jan. 31; $40 for regular registration, Feb. 1-15; and $50 for registration after Feb.15. Organizations can reserve an exhibit table for $200, which includes exhibit space and one conference registration.

For more information and to register, go to [www.udel.edu/ccrs/homelessnessconference/] or contact Bell at (302) 831-3467 or at [signe@udel.edu].

Media contact: Martin Mbugua, (302) 831-8749, [mbugua@udel.edu]
January 29, 2007