People's Place - Helping people find their path to growth and independence

Historical Timeline

People’s Place began in 1972 as a true grass roots effort spearheaded by a group of local residents concerned about the lack of activities and programs for the youth of Milford. The initial effort was a coffee house for kids located in the small building behind the old fire house. The coffee house was staffed by volunteer adults who mingled with the attending youth in an attempt to engage them in constructive conversation and steer them away from drug use.

The fledgling organization was supported by what was then known as Milford Community Action and had little to no funding. Due to the lack of structure, the fact that the volunteer adults were not really trained and the overwhelming number of kids who showed up, the coffee house was discontinued.

The founders, however, did not throw in the towel, but took a different approach to serving Milford’s youth. A new concept was developed: a mental health professional would be hired to train and oversee a group of volunteer adult “listeners” who would, in turn, provide counseling services to Milford’s young people. Three of the original founders, Chuck Moses, Bebe Mick and Jane Tiganti, wrote a grant proposal to the Delaware Agency to Reduce Crime in order to obtain the funds to implement this new concept.

Chuck Moses presented the proposal, the only one from downstate, to the review committee for the grant and was successful in the effort. This money, combined with financial help from the Milford Community Action and VISTA, allowed the group to hire Paul Kessler, the first paid Director and staff person for the new People’s Place II. The organization became more formalized and created its own Board of Directors that included many of the original founders and other concerned citizens of Milford.

Paul Kessler, his assistant, the Board and a group of volunteer “listeners”, that included Bebe Mick, Don Fisher and others, successfully operated People’s Place II as a community-based and staffed youth counseling center for the next year or two. Paul resigned in 1975, and the Board of Directors began a national search for a new Director.

In late 1975, Frank Shavlik, a Ph. D., psychologist, was hired and guided the agency for the next two plus decades. In 1976 People’s Place II was officially incorporated as a 501c-3 non-profit agency. During the early years, People’s Place II operated out of the Milford Post Office, now the Milford Museum, the top floor of the Masonic Hall and the old fire hall, which is now a state service center. Later it was located on 219 South Walnut Street where it remained until 2003.

Under Frank Shavlik’s leadership the organization grew rapidly. The Board was amazed at his innovativeness in developing services for the local citizenry and his ability to attract funding. People’s Place II soon became known for its quality and array of services for the residents of Kent and Sussex Counties.

The Counseling Center continued to expand, serving children, families and adults in various locations throughout Kent and Sussex Counties.

In 1978 Families in Transition was established as an answer to the need for domestic violence intervention. This began as an outreach program and later a shelter was established in Milford. This was the first shelter for abused women and the first domestic abuse intervention service offered in the downstate area.
In 1984 a Residential Treatment Center for youth was established in a house south of Milford. The state funded this center as an alternative to incarceration. The program was discontinued in 1989 and the building later became headquarters for Home of the Brave.
In 1988 a residential program for the chronically mentally ill was established at the facility on South Walnut Street. This program was discontinued in 1991.
In 1989 Listening Post-Lower Delaware was established to provide peer counseling, outreach and referral services, plus non-traditional and in-home services and transportation to VA hospitals for veterans in Southern Delaware.
In 1992 New Start, a comprehensive case management service for households living in Section 8 housing in Kent County, was added.
In 1994 the Center for Community Justice was established. The center provides victim-offender mediation for non-violent offenses referred by the justice system plus community mediation services (tenant-landlord, neighbor-neighbor, employer-employee) and youth educational services (Conflict Resolution, Shoplifters Alternative). Victims’ Voices Heard provides mediation for offenses of severe violence at the request of victims and survivors.
In 1994 Turning Point was established providing individual and group treatment for victims and offenders of domestic violence.
In 1995 the Milford Family Visitation Center opened, providing a safe, neutral place for supervised visitation and monitored exchanges for families with a history of domestic violence or sexual abuse.
In 1995 Stepping Stones was established as a residential independent living program for adjudicated adolescents and adolescents in foster care. This program was discontinued in 2000.
In 1996 The Dover and Georgetown Family Visitation Centers opened.
In 1996, after Frank Shavlik retired, Josh Fine took the reins as Executive Director for a short time. Frank returned for several months as a search was undertaken for a new Executive Director. Mike Kersteter was hired and remains in that role. Under Mike’s leadership the agency has continued to grow.
In 1998, PASA, Positive Alternatives to Substance Abuse, an after-school and summer camp alcohol, tobacco and substance abuse prevention program aimed at youth ages 7 to 12 was added.
In 2000 Non-Secure Detention was established in the facility previously used by Stepping Stones. Non-Secure Detention is a residential program providing a structured setting and around-the-clock monitoring for males and females ages 8 to 19 who have been arrested and are awaiting a court date. The staff is available for court appearances and to make recommendations regarding sentencing.
In 2000 a second Domestic Violence Shelter, Cindy’s House, was opened in Seaford.
In 2001 People’s Place bought and renovated an 8,000 square foot building on Commerce Way in Dover. The building houses the Counseling Center, New Start, and Visitation Center with enough space left to lease to other non-profits.
In 2003 People’s Place sold the facility at 219 South Walnut Street and purchased property at 1129 Airport Road. Construction on this site consolidated administration and non-residential Milford based programs in one location.
In 2003 Group Homes for Adolescents were established in Milford. They offer long-term housing for abused or neglected girls and boys ages 13 to 17.
In 2004 Independent Living was established. This program provides services to youth, ages 16 to 21, in foster care and group care in Sussex County. Services are also available to selected youth who are no longer in foster care or group care.
In 2005 People’s Place built an additional building at the Airport Road location. The new building houses Administration, PASA and Independent Living offices.

As we celebrate the 31st year of our incorporation, People’s Place looks very different from the grass roots program started in 1972. Today we are serving over 8,200 people yearly with a staff of 165 and an annual budget of $5,000,000. Through all of the change, the agency has always held true to its mission and purpose, and has been promoted and supported by the local community. This has guided the agency’s growth and expansion. The community effort and support that started the organization has remained strong, setting the stage for the agency to continuously expand and enhance the services it provides to the residents of Kent and Sussex Counties.