About operation west laurel
Our Mission
Operation West Laurel, OWL, is an interfaith advocacy organization committed to the safety and well-being of the children and citizens of West Laurel while empowering and advancing our community.
Transforming west laurel from the inside out
Laurel is the poorest city in Delaware and also bears the unfortunate distinction of having the highest crime rate in the state. In the wake of numerous tragic deaths of local youth, a group of concerned community members came together to form Operation West Laurel (OWL). Born out of grief and a desire for change, OWL was established to transform the community from within—by addressing the root causes of poverty and violence and creating a safe, supportive environment where children and families can thrive. Through advocacy, enrichment programs, and access to essential resources, OWL is working to break cycles of hardship and build a stronger, more hopeful future for West Laurel.
Executive Board Members
Cheryl Barber
Apartment Complex Chair, Communications
Crystal Stevens
Prayer Walk Chair, OWL Project Afterschool Teacher
Ryan Horsey
OWL Project Afterschool Teacher
Amy Puckham Handy
Executive Director, Co-founder
Our Donors
Gold-Level Donors
Silver-Level Donors
Our Partners
Forever in our Hearts
Terrance Frisby
Killed at age 20
02-27-2023
Corey Mumford
Killed at age 18
04-14-2023
Taylor German
Killed at age 26
09-10-2023
Kylee Robinson
Killed at age 18
10-29-2023
Brian Owens
November 11, 2001
Kyle Newman
January 5, 2013
Mekell Horsey
January 30, 2017
Isaac Hatton
September 26, 2018
Tyree Lewis
April 18, 2020
we will never forget you.
New Zion United Methodist Church History
As early as the 1830’s Black Methodists in Laurel were congregating with the White Methodists. Because Methodism was growing so rapidly, Zion Meeting House (Centenary) became too small for its members. The Trustees made a motion to give that building to the Black inhabitants. It was held in trust of the Whites because Blacks could not hold public property during that time. In 1833, the building was moved to Townsend Street and became our first church. The White Methodist built their second church and named it New Zion.
We occupied that church building on Townsend Street until 1866 when the White’s sold us their second church (New Zion). That church was moved and reassembled down the street across from our present location. Our first church then became the first school for Blacks in Laurel.
In 1902 and 1913, George W. Gunby and Elizabeth Whittington purchased land for our current building and cemetery. Our present block church was built in 1924 under the leadership of Rev. D.G. Waters. The church was then named Waters New Zion Methodist Episcopal Church. After concern was expressed about the appropriateness of the name, in 1936, the church was incorporated as the New Zion Methodist Episcopal Church.
New Zion was affiliated with the Convention of Colored Local Preachers; the forerunners of the Delaware Annual Conference around 1857. We eventually became members of the Delaware Annual Conference. When the merge between whites and blacks took place in 1965, New Zion M.E. Church became a member of the Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conference and our name was changed to New Zion United Methodist Church.
The Black church has always served as the backbone of our community. It has been the spiritual and physical hospital for the sick and infirmed. We could always depend on the church to foster the concerns of the whole person i.e. the holistic experience. New Zion became a major force in shaping the West Laurel community, and for almost 200 years, it continues to advocate for the needs of the community through OWL.
