My commitment to community capacity building is evident in everything I do—from empowering our youth and creating green spaces to organizing local initiatives. My approach is rooted in collaboration and practical solutions.
Meet Thea Lopez
After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Integrated Marketing, Thea founded a program to improve the lives of young girls in her own community. In it's fourth year, The program entitled “Girls Like Us Empowerment Group,” is a youth prevention program serving over 250 girls year-round. This program serves seven Title 1 schools in the Wilmington area, providing girls with the tools and skills they need to advocate for themselves, encourage self-care, promote positive change, reveal their full potential, and assist with academic achievement.
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In 2020, Thea noticed voter turnout was at an all-time low and that civic groups in the area were not very active. She collaborated with community members to re-energize these groups by conducting Zoom trainings and organizing door-to-door campaigns. This effort successfully reinvigorated two existing groups and started a new one, leading to Thea becoming the President of the Harlan Park Civic Association (HPCA), one of the most active civic groups in the area.
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Thea has also been a strong advocate for investing in green spaces and beautification projects in Wilmington. She spearheaded an ongoing project at Haynes Park, focusing on cultivating native wildlife habitats, pollinator gardens, outdoor educational spaces, and creating a safe environment.
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Thea also initiated the "Prevention in the Park" community engagement series, which hosts multigenerational themed family events at Haynes Park throughout the summer. Now entering its third year, this series includes securing a grant to offer jobs to over 25 teens from the community. The teens oversee the program and provide opportunities for peers to engage in constructive activities like sports, arts, and community service, promoting positive social connections and personal growth.
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From organizing community cleanups and town halls to meeting with Legislators and knocking on doors to engage the community, Thea has worked tirelessly as a community organizer within the district.
Through her efforts, a partnership between HPCA and Harlan Elementary School was established. Ultimately, the community partners and members began hosting annual backpack giveaways, implementing the Harlan Park Fall Harvest, and members began volunteering their time and energy in various ways.
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