WILMINGTON – Mayor John Carney on Tuesday announced a partnership between the City of Wilmington and Friendship House to support the ongoing management of the Christina Park unhoused community.

The City of Wilmington, in partnership with Friendship House of Delaware, will manage the city-approved unhoused community site at Christina Park. The site will provide a well-maintained environment prioritizing safety, public health, and access to supportive services. Friendship House and on-the-ground case managers will oversee day-to-day operations in coordination with City departments and community partners to connect individuals to pathways toward stability.

As part of the City’s response to Wilmington’s growing street-unhoused population, the Mayor announced in October 2025 that Christina Park would be temporarily designated as a City-sanctioned unhoused community site, including 24/7 access to restrooms and clean water.

Effective January 2026, Friendship House will assume daily oversight of the unhoused community site, including management of the following services and objectives:

• Implementation of site infrastructure

• Cleaning and sanitation services

• Cold weather protocol in tandem with Code Purple

• Installation of safety stations and publicly posting the rules of decorum

• Services for the unhoused, including but not limited to, job training, housing, mental health, and substance use counseling

• Coordination of donations and food drop-offs

Friendship House will work hand in hand with the Mayor’s office, city agencies, and other community-based organizations to meet the goals of the partnership.

“For decades, Friendship House has served as a trusted partner for countless families throughout our City during some of the most challenging times of their lives,” said Mayor Carney. “This team is experienced in how to best support the most vulnerable, and their expertise will allow us to better meet the needs of our unhoused. I’d like to thank Executive Director and CEO Kim Eppehimer and all of the Friendship House employees for their continued dedication to folks at Christina Park and residents throughout the city of Wilmington.”

“At Friendship House, our work has always been about meeting people where they are and ensuring they are not navigating hardship alone,” said Kim Eppehimer, CEO of Friendship House and Limen Recovery + Wellness. “We are proud to support the Christina Park community by creating a welcoming space and connecting individuals to critical resources—from housing and healthcare to employment and recovery—because everyone deserves a place to belong.”

Those looking to donate clothes, food, or other essential items to the park should contact volunteer@friendshiphousede.org.

The City has launched a dedicated webpage that will be regularly updated to keep the public abreast of progress and next steps, available at wilmingtonde.gov/homelessness [wilmingtonde.us9.list-manage.com].

Friendship House
For over 35 years, Friendship House has served the Delaware community with the support of dedicated volunteers, donors, and partners. Reaching more than 17,000 people annually, we remain committed to our belief that everyone deserves a place to call home—physically, emotionally, and within a caring community.

Friendship House walks alongside people experiencing homelessness, houselessness, or both—understanding houselessness is the loss of a physical residence, homelessness is the loss of community and connection. One often leads to the other, and both can deeply impact a person’s sense of identity and stability.

Learn more at FriendshipHouseDE.org [wilmingtonde.us9.list-manage.com].

Friendship House Media Contact:
Mike Webster
Chief Advancement Officer
Friendship House & Limen Recovery + Wellness
484.574.3992
mike.webster@friendshiphousede.org

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