1:09 p.m., June 22, 2009----Public Allies Delaware, an AmeriCorps program of the University of Delaware's Center for Community Research and Service, recently celebrated its 15th year of successfully preparing young adults to enter the public and nonprofit sectors.

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The event served to re-engage local community members with Public Allies Delaware's mission and values and to encourage support of the local program. At the celebration, 300 attendees, including alumni, partners, and national and local leaders, renewed their commitments to the organization.

Lt. Gov. Matt Denn, an early supporter of Public Allies Delaware and one of the first recipients of its Tomorrow's Leaders Today Award, provided the keynote address.

"Before Public Allies, a young adult interested in public service had few choices: you could 1) spend two years overseas in the Peace Corps or 2) volunteer until someone noticed you had some talent and a real desire to serve the community,” Denn said. “Now, the choice is clear: If you want to serve the community you call home, and learn more about yourself than you ever thought possible, there is nothing better than Public Allies.”

Public Allies National President Paul Schmitz, who is also the adviser to President Barack Obama on national service, spoke about the commitment of both the president and vice president to the Public Allies program.

Schmitz spoke candidly about Joe Biden and his wife Jill's fondness for the leadership of the Public Allies Delaware program. Vice President Biden wrote a passionate letter of support which was read at the event.

Public Allies Delaware founders Sonia Sloan, David Sysko and Tony Allen were presented with Lifetime Achievement Awards, and the late Delaware Sen. Andrew Knox was recognized with the Founder's Award, accepted on his behalf by his wife.

Delaware Gov. Jack Markell served as the honorary chair of the event.

Since 1992, Public Allies has partnered with over 600 nonprofit organizations interested in building organizational capacity and providing critical leadership opportunities for talented young leaders. Through its signature AmeriCorps program, the organization places 18-30 year olds who have a passion to make a difference in a 10-month program in which they work full-time for a nonprofit organization, addressing critical community issues and developing leadership skills.

Photo by Greg Drew