Vending machines are nothing new in the United States. For as long as they’ve been around, they’ve been a quick fix to a small lunch or new pair of headphones before a long flight. 

But a new approach to vending machines is set to take foot in five spots across the First State. Delaware will hop on the nationwide trend to increase access to items like naloxone, an opiate overdose-reversing medication more commonly known as Narcan, through vending machines run by Brandywine Counseling & Community Services. 

For housing advocate Judson Malone, “the most important thing is that housing – in whatever form you can provide it – is fundamental.”

Nationwide, there’s a lack of housing options due to market limitations, and in Delaware it’s no different. With a shortage of affordable housing, Malone’s Springboard Collaborative offers a solution: 40 sleeping cabins in a village setup. The cabins provide secure shelter, along with communal bathrooms, 24-hour staffing, and wrap-around support services.

Georgetown’s transitional housing pallet village is facing a funding shortfall, jeopardizing the project that houses 40 people experiencing homelessness in Sussex County. The village’s nonprofit operator, The Springboard Collaborative, was hoping to receive a $1.5 million grant this year from the Longwood Foundation, the Wilmington-based charitable grantmaking foundation linked to the du Pont family. It didn’t receive that funding, however, and is now struggling to find funders for its operational expenses. The 40-cabin community, known as Springboard Village, imposed broad layoffs and cut staff costs by 28% in recent weeks.

Following staff layoffs, the organization is training residents to become paid “community stewards,” who upkeep the village and provide security. Springboard Collaborative officials maintained that the village will not be closing, but have notified residents of the issue and drafted a contingency transition plan if the closure comes to be.

“That’s the mountain we’re climbing,” Malone said. “It’s tough, but we’re tough people.”

Springboard is hoping to secure state support by late August, Malone added.

The Delaware League of Local Governments hosted a tour of the Springboard Collaborative Pallet Village for legislators and town officials on Feb. 9.

The resounding message of partners in the collaborative was the need for operational funds for day-to-day expenses for the homeless shelter with 40 cabins in Georgetown.

Judson Malone of Georgetown, Springboard co-founder and executive director, said the village continues to receive some additional funding and donations, but a more sustainable funding source is needed.

“In the long term, we are asking the state to work with us and fund operations going forward,” he said.

Malone led the tour and talked about how the village came to fruition and what is planned for the future.

The Springboard Pallet Village in Georgetown hosted a donor recognition and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 4, attended by a large group of elected officials, board members, staff, partners, and donors.

The entire Delaware federal delegation was present, including U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester and U.S. Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons.

The delegation also announced that the long-awaited American Rescue Plan Act grant of $2.4 million for Springboard Collaborative is finally available.

Jeff Ronald, Springboard co-founder, said the village has already changed lives in just six months of a two-year demonstration project. He said people are getting better healthcare, mental healthcare, and help to quell addiction and find jobs.

Ronald also announced the Vision 2029 campaign to end chronic homelessness in Delaware in six years. “It's a bold, audacious plan, but it is solvable if we all collaborate together,” he said.

Judson Malone, the other co-founder who lives in Georgetown, was the driving force behind the village's construction. He said the project would not have been possible without assistance from Georgetown town officials and First State Community Action Agency, on whose property the village is located.

Springboard Pallet Village in Georgetown gets a colorful new look

Nearly 100 volunteers joined forces July 6-7 to Paint the Town at the 40-unit Springboard Collaborative Pallet Village for the homeless in Georgetown.

Organizer (and cheerleader) of the event was Kathleen Schell, who has been a strong advocate and supporter of the village since its inception.

She said adding coastal colors to the shelters gives the community a new feeling that promotes individuality. “I’m thankful to be a tiny part of helping the team who created the village,” she said.

Jud Malone, Springboard Collaborative executive director, said Sherwin Williams donated the paint, the Overall Paint Co. did the large task of taping prior to painting, and the Schell Brothers design team developed the color scheme. He said a sponsor-a-cottage initiative has raised $20,000 so far.