The Hilltop Lutheran Neighborhood Center in Wilmington, DE, celebrated its inaugural Hilltop Heroes gala on September 20.

One of the honorees was our own Heidi Beck, a leader whose career has been shaped by her deep connection to the Hilltop community. Currently serving as director of New Directions Early Head Start and interim co-director of DIEEC at the University of Delaware, Heidi’s journey with Hilltop began decades ago.

What began as a one-year commitment with the Lutheran Volunteer Corps soon became a permanent position at Hilltop. In the early years of her career, Heidi’s role evolved from a before-and-after-school coordinator to the Youth Services Director, where she was instrumental in launching one of the first ECAP programs in a community center.

After leaving Hilltop to pursue her master’s degree at the University of Delaware, Heidi found a way to maintain the connection through an NDEHS-Hilltop partnership. Today, NDEHS continues to serve children and families in the neighborhood through an integrated center-based child care partnership at the Hilltop Lutheran Neighborhood Center. NDEHS provides essential family support and home visits, ensuring that parents are empowered as their child’s most important teacher.

Heidi has been involved with Hilltop in one way or another for an amazing 39 years. Her steadfast focus on quality, inclusive programs, and community collaboration has been a hallmark of her career. We’re so pleased to see her receive this well-deserved honor- congratulations, Heidi!

From L to R: Martha Buell, vice provost; Jason Hustedt, HDFS department chair and DIEEC research director; Heidi Beck, Rena Hallam, CEHD interim dean; Laura Lessard, associate professor, HBNS.