Mrs. Malissa Dukes has always loved kids —your kids, her kids, everybody’s kids. It was in 1968 that she started the Teen Scene for migrant camp kids at Greentop in Lincoln, DE. Most of them came from North Carolina and Virginia. The owner of the camp, Mr. Dave Pack gave her a building on the camp for youth activities while the parents and siblings worked in the field. That was just the encouragement she needed as a lover of her community and kids.

She has become one of Sussex County’s strongest parent and children’s advocate. She went on to receive formal education and training and attended workshops at Delaware State University, the University of Delaware, and Yale University. Working hand in hand with government entities, she has been awarded funding and grants, and earned their support. She has worked tirelessly in the community for more than 40 years. Her two daughters and son ( Stephanie, Betty, and Jonathan Dukes) have the same passions. Betty oversees the Day Care and Foster Parents programs. Jonathan manages the summer “Take It To The Streets” and works within the Foster Parents’ program, and Stephanie is a strong youth advocate who runs the After School Program and several other programs. Together they have organized mentoring programs, built a modern Ashley Christian Daycare/Family Outreach Center, hired and trained staff to work with at-risk children, and implemented care programs for low to moderate income families. Many local college students attribute much of their success to the outreach programs.

Mrs. Malissa Dukes continues her plight to improve community conditions by empowering its residents. She is currently a case manager associated with First State Community Action at the Brightway Commons in Milford, DE (formerly known as Banneker Heights).