Detroit Institute for Children, a non-profit that provides screening, programming, education, and clinical services to young people with diverse abilities and their families throughout metro Detroit and across the state, has announced it has rebranded under a new name — Boldli.
The rebrand, happening for the first time in more than 50 years for the Detroit-based organization, addresses its expansion beyond the city to accommodate a growing statewide youth population with diverse abilities, as well as responds to the evolution of the field of diverse abilities.
For example, nationwide, ADHD is now the most common childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorder, and autism is the fastest growing developmental disorder.
In Michigan, the number of students in special education has at least doubled in the last 50 years; 13-14% of its public-school students are reported to have diverse abilities.
“Our new name embraces who we truly are and aligns with our bold belief that homes, schools, neighborhoods and communities should be places where diverse abilities are not just supported, but also anticipated, welcomed and become part of everyday successes,” says Heather Martinez, CEO of Boldli.
“Operating under this new name puts us in a strong position to build the organization toward providing exceptional youth services to even more students in our state.”
Today, Boldli’s team of more than 80 people serves young people ages 0-26 and will continue to offer their programs and work to increase access to those who need their services the most.
- With families — Supporting families through local play groups and development programs with local partners
- In communities — Developing learning spaces, summer camps and social events outside of school
- At its centers — Offering speech and occupational therapy interventions, with various screenings available for different age levels
- In schools — Providing therapists and special needs educators for 3,500+ students
Boldli was founded in Detroit in 1920 by Sigma Gamma Association as an orthopedic clinic to serve children with polio and tuberculosis.
Over the years, it became a recognized leader in delivering advanced pediatric care, maintaining its founding commitments to serve families regardless of ability to pay and to focus on the whole child.
Today, Boldli is led by Martinez who joined the organization in 2023. With more than 20 years of experience in special education, Martinez states her expertise “is critical to the organization’s future as it has evolved from focusing exclusively on children’s physical needs to working with those who have diverse physical, behavioral, cognitive, and emotional abilities.”
For more information about Boldli and its services, visit boldli.org.
