Ford Fund Donates $5 Million for New Resource Center

A new $5 million dollar resource and engagement center on Detroit’s east side aims to serve the communities youth.

Ford Foundation and Detroit Public School Foundation

Tia Graham

The Ford Motor Company Fund is investing five million dollars for a new Detroit based community center.

With help from the Detroit Public Schools Foundation. The Ford Fund will launch its second Ford Resource and Engagement Center in Detroit. The new space will offer programs requested by community members that could include job training and continuing education.

 

President of the Ford Fund Jim Vella says investing in this center is investing in the future of Detroit.

 

“One thing I’ve learned by working in the City of Detroit at this time in particular is that it’s all about neighborhoods and neighborhoods start with people, and people make up a community. So without the community you’re never going to be successful.  It’s not about the individual schools or the buildings that are there, it’s really about the people in that community and that’s why we engage them before we announced today.”

 

The Ford Resource Engagement Center will be located inside of Fisher Magnet Upper Academy on Detroit’s east side. It is expected to open early next year.

 

Author

  • Tia Graham is a reporter and Weekend Edition Host for 101.9 WDET. She graduated from Michigan State University where she had the unique privilege of covering former President Barack Obama and his trip to Lansing in 2014.