ACTION GROUPS
ACTION GROUPS
SOAH members are actively meeting and working with public facing officials, business leaders, elected officials, faith leaders, school and youth leaders and first responders, encouraging them to speak to their communities about the need to confront the rise in hatred.
All Action Groups are comprised of concerned citizens as they continue to drive the Mission of SOAH forward.
Youth and School Officials Action Group
Facilitated by: Patty Maloney and Leslie Slan
The Youth and School Officials Action Group (SOAH) meets monthly via Zoom to stay informed about issues in Sussex County schools and to address bias and bullying both in schools and on social media. One of the group’s primary goals is to bring the Anti-Defamation League’s No Place for Hate K–12 program to local schools, promoting respect, inclusion, and the reduction of bullying and bigotry of all forms. SOAH representatives regularly attend Cape Henlopen, Milford, and Indian River school board meetings to advocate for student and teacher rights, most notably helping to defeat a Milford proposal that would have restricted free speech.
To engage youth directly, SOAH has distributed “Anti-Bias Statement” bracelets created by Schell Brothers, hosted a Silent Disco at Lefty’s for teens to learn about SOAH, and established a Youth Ambassadorship Board with paid high school interns who help lead projects. Upcoming initiatives include an Anti-Bias and Bullying Film Festival at the Cinema Art Theatre in Lewes (January 23–25, 2026) and a Dance Party Fundraiser at The Listening Booth (November 14, 2025), both designed to raise awareness, build community, and empower young leaders.
Faith Leaders Action Group
Facilitated by: Allan Slan
In conjunction with the goals of all other SOAH Action Groups, the Faith Leaders Group has been formed to get SOAH’s message out to the faith leaders of the congregations throughout Sussex County and our State. In doing so, SOAH seeks to raise public awareness of the menace of the toxic communal impact of hatred and to have the Congregants of our local faith leaders begin to actively speak out against it. Several faith leaders have spoken about SOAH from their pulpits.
SOAH has also proudly spoken before multiple congregations and faith leaders in various settings and has been gratified by the response of clergy throughout our State. Please join us in pushing the message of SOAH out to this important group.
Business Leaders Action Group
Facilitated by: Travis Stevens and Alan Kane
There may be no more influential and public facing groups than the leaders of the major businesses in Sussex County and throughout the State. The goal of SOAH in seeking the support of this important group is to have each such leader actively support the mission of SOAH as well as to push its message out to their peers and customers throughout the community. The hope is that they will do this by marketing SOAH to their customers and holding fundraisers for our organization.
SOAH is proud that, among others, Schell Brothers has become an active supporter of its mission. They have created rubber bracelets with kindness sayings that will be given out to youth in Cape Henlopen High School and beyond.
Elected Officials Action Group
Facilitated by: Zita Dresner, Jan Kliger, and Allan Slan
Of all the public facing officials, perhaps our elected officials spend the majority of their working time doing so. Their influence on the voting public is considerable and as such, SOAH has and continues to gain their support in speaking out against hate. Among other things, SOAH will seek a pledge from all elected officials that they will affirmatively support the mission of SOAH and will take every opportunity to speak out against hate.
First Responders Action Group
Facilitated by: Charlotte King and Peter Schott
The First Responders Action Group was originally formed by SOAH to engage local police departments in efforts to combat escalating hate incidents. However, following reports of racist incidents within the Millville and Lewes Fire Departments, the group expanded its scope to include all first responders.
The group reached out to police departments across the region to share its mission and offer opportunities for collaboration. Meetings were held with several departments, and communication was established with both fire departments.
SOAH also joined NOCAP (Neighbors Organized for Credibility and Accountability of Police), a coalition of community members, organizations, and government officials dedicated to monitoring Police Accountability Boards mandated for each department. SOAH actively monitors these boards and, in some cases, participates directly. Across Sussex County and the state, concerns have emerged that many of these boards are not fulfilling their intended purpose. As a result, NOCAP is exploring potential legislative solutions. SOAH remains committed to working with NOCAP and other organizations to combat hate in all forms.
The First Responders Action Group continues to collaborate with Sussex County police departments to address hate incidents. With initial guidance from Chief Thomas Spell, the group has met with multiple jurisdictions and secured commitments to improve hate-crime reporting and community engagement. Ongoing efforts include meetings with departments throughout the county and with the Delaware State Police Hate Crimes Director, encouraging leadership to sign a pledge against hate.
Facilitator Peter Schott also appeared on WMDT News to highlight the group’s mission and raise awareness. Current initiatives include supporting the development of Police Accountability Boards and producing a “See Something, Report It” public service announcement—both of which would benefit from additional volunteers.
Additionally, SOAH met with the Lewes Fire Chief to address concerns surrounding the reinstatement of a former fire chief following a racial incident. In response, the department is revising its bylaws and has committed to displaying “Hate Has No Home Here” signage across all three fire stations.