In Brief
On the Cover: Celebrating Sal and Barbara
From the very beginning, born of the AIDS epidemic, CAMP Rehoboth was set up to have a positive impact on the health of the community. Over the years the organization has expanded beyond HIV issues and testing (although there is still a very active testing program) to counseling, health programs like yoga and support groups, and much more.
With this issue, the Letters cover celebrates Salvatore Seeley and Barbara Antlitz, two staff members driving CAMP Rehoboth’s health and wellness programs.
Sal, who has been on staff for more than 20 years and built the program, began his career at CAMP Rehoboth as Program Director of the CAMPsafe program and the CAMP Rehoboth HIV/AIDS prevention program. In addition to the HIV prevention programs, Sal created the Health and Wellness Initiative at CAMP Rehoboth in 2004 and now serves as Director of Health and Wellness Programs.
Barbara Antlitz, CAMP Rehoboth Youth Coordinator since 2019, works with Gender & Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) in middle and high schools in Kent and Sussex Counties, and with other groups supporting LGBTQ+ youth. She plans intersectionality Zooms and other youth and adult programs. Barbara has her master’s degree in health and has had a long career in public health.
Letters salutes Salvatore and Barbara!
Handmade Art Market to Return in April
The CAMP Rehoboth Handmade Art Market returns on April 9, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The market features local artists and artisans selling a variety of handmade items and will take place outside in the open-air CAMP Rehoboth courtyard to allow for social distancing. Foot traffic will be directed along a specific route. Vendors and guests must adhere to CDC guidelines and wear masks at all times. Entry is free and open to the public.
Special Concert Benefits CAMP Rehoboth
CAMP Rehoboth hosted a sold out and very special Valentine's concert with Tret Fure and Christine Havrilla on February 14. The response was so great, it maxed out capacity and brought in a significant amount of money to help these two performers who have given so much and all freely throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
"In true fashion, while CAMP Rehoboth was giving back to the community and the performers by producing this concert, Tret and Christine gave back to CAMP Rehoboth as well. They generously offered a small portion of their proceeds back to us as a fundraiser," said Anita Broccolino, Development Director at CAMP Rehoboth. "And the concert was so amazing we have added it to our CAMP Rehoboth YouTube page for everyone to enjoy!"
The show, which lasted almost two hours, with each performer playing a 45-minute set, was capped off by these two music greats performing together for the first time. During breaks, CAMP Rehoboth offered free raffle prizes, including tickets to next year's CAMP Rehoboth Women’s FEST, the performers’ CDs, and fun gear.
To watch the show at your leisure, go to: https://youtu.be/1HioiIRJmq8.
CAMP Rehoboth Uses Art to Shine a Light
CAMP Rehoboth has launched its new arts initiative, “Shine a Light,” where we are focusing on themes that give light to our community’s unique history and culture, and which serve to further diversity, equity, and inclusion, and build unity and understanding. A powerful show in February—Black Histories, Future Visions—received media attention and was featured on WMDT and WRDE. Beginning March 8, a new exhibit, CommUNITY, connects generations by displaying the work of student artists alongside that of artists age 55+. In April, FEST ART 2021! will illuminate the exceptional talent of our community artists. See Spotlight on the Arts (page xx) for additional information.
CROP in Action
A team of four CAMP Rehoboth Outreach Program (CROP) volunteers spent a day at the Children's Beach House in Lewes on February 24, painting the interior of their facility. They painted a large portion of wainscoting and office doors in the front entrance area of the building.
Executive Director Richard Garrett and the staff repeatedly expressed their appreciation for the volunteer assistance and hard work with the week-long painting project. And wow, what a difference a fresh coat of paint made! After the shift, Richard provided an informative tour of the facility. Many thanks to the CROP team and new volunteers Lauren and Margaret.