11 Point Plan
Get Our Young People Invested the Future
Young people need to know that they are part of something bigger than themselves ‑ and something that they have a responsibility to the health and continuity of.
The Delaware Volunteer Firefighter Scholarship Program, which is administered by the Delaware Volunteer Firefighter’s Association (DVFA) and funded by the State, provides scholarships for volunteer firefighters attending Delaware colleges.
We should broaden eligibility with a fire cadet program that allows older high school students (16‑18) to assist with limited, supervised tasks during actual fire department operations, as they now do in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York.
And Don't Stop There!
Volunteer firefighter recruitment programs are just one way to help our young people invest in their future while strengthening communities across the state. By creating incentivized pathways that tie education, community engagement, and scholarships together, we can inspire a new generation of engaged, skilled, and civically‑minded Delawareans.
Other possibilities in which participants could receive scholarships for completing significant projects:- Community service initiatives that might include things like park maintenance and beautification, assisting in senior centers, and tutoring younger students.
- Conservation projects like wetland restoration, coastal cleanup, and tree planting.
- Volunteering in hospitals or working with public health campaigns.
- Participate in public art projects, such as murals.
- Tie scholarship funding to achievements in 4‑H, Future Farmers of America (FFA), or other agricultural related programs.
In addition to developing valuable life skills, investing in such programs can make our young people feel rooted and valued while keeping them away from negative influences like drugs, crime, or excessive screen time. It will create opportunities for them to connect with like‑minded peers, fostering healthy social interactions and life‑long friendships. We'll also strengthen Delaware's future by encouraging talented young people to stay here. After all, our most important resource is our own people.
High School students in communities like Port Jefferson on Long Island NY are already engaged in protecting their community:
