DETROIT—The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan is distributing $150,000 in grants to fund 18 projects through its YOUth Voice Social Justice grant program.
“We are impressed by all of the projects proposed in response to the largest youth-driven survey of young people in our region,” said Mariam Noland, Community Foundation president. “We are committed to support the leadership skills of youth as they work to improve their communities and make a difference.”
The following 18 organizations were awarded grants based on proposals submitted by the youth:
- Affirmations Lesbian and Gay Community Center Inc. in Ferndale: $10,000 in support of an LGBT youth group that promotes healthy decision making skills in the community and strengthens youth voice in the organization.
- Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services in Dearborn): $10,000 for support of the Dearborn Youth Empowerment Initiative to promote race and ethnicity dialouge.
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Oakland and Macomb counties: $5,600, to support a teen leadership summit and community service action plan for youth from four Boys & Girls Clubs.
- City of Port Huron: $5,000 for support of the reconstruction of two city basketball courts
- Community Social Services for Wayne County: $10,000, for potluck discussions to build life skills for homeless teen mothers and their children.
- Corner Health Center in Ypsilanti: $9,400 to support Ypsilanti youth in sharing concerns and solutions with community leaders.
- Dearborn Public Schools: $8,500, to support a social justice course for juniors and seniors at Edsel Ford High School.
- East Michigan Environment Action Council in Detroit: $5,000, for workshops to raise awareness of environmental and climate justice issues for youth in Detroit.
- Farmington Public Schools: $6,300, to support Farmington Central High School students to build communication skills to address diversity issues.
- Farmington Public Schools: $10,000 for diversity-focused activities in Farmington High School, Harrison High School and North Farmington High School.
- Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion: $5,000, to support the expansion of its annual youth leadership and justice exhibition to include more skill building workshops.
- River Raisin National Battlefield Park Foundation: $5,000 to support incorporating the Wyandotte Nation’s history into youth-led outdoor kayak program.
- SER Metro-Detroit Jobs for Progress Inc.: $10,000, to support a one-day conference to build relationships between youth and adults across metro Detroit.
- Southwest Detroit Business Association: $9,700, to support for the Congress of Communities Youth Council to build youth voice in Detroit’s education system.
- Student Conservation Association Inc. in Detroit: $10,000 for the establishment of a Youth Alumni Council to help launch a year-round leadership program.
- Student Leadership Services Inc. in Waterford Township: $10,000, to support a project to promote justice and acceptance among students.
- The James and Grace Lee Boggs School in Detroit: $10,000, to support an intergenerational mentoring program.
- University Prep Math & Science High School in Detroit: $10,000, to support a student exchange program with other schools in region to build cultural awareness and to host a Cultural Festival.
The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan takes a regional approach to community investment. It was founded in 1984 to promote and facilitate community philanthropy across all seven counties of southeast Michigan. Although it is among the nation’s younger community foundations, it is one of the fastest growing, ranked 23rd nationally with assets of more than $797 million.
