United Way Invests In Young Students

DETROIT (WWJ) - United Way for Southeastern Michigan is investing $8 million in order to make sure pre-schoolers are ready to learn before they start kindergarten.

The plan is to make multi-year investments in 11 organizations that focus on strengthening early childhood literacy and readiness. These organizations will work with community-based groups to help about 6,000 children in low-income communities.

The 11 organizations, selected through a competitive bid process, cover ten target communities in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. They are: Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS), Detroit Parent Network, Detroit Public Television, The Guidance Center, Living Arts, Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD), Matrix Human Services, National Kidney Foundation of Michigan (NKFM), Southwest Counseling Solutions, Starfish Family Services, and Vanguard Community Development Corporation.

"Through these grants and the donation from the General Motors Foundation for the Networks of Excellence initiative, we are furthering our mission to help ensure our region's children are ready to learn," said President and CEO Michael J. Brennan, in a statement. "These organizations represent a diverse cross-section of community partners who share a common goal: to prepare children to become proficient readers and, ultimately, to provide them with the building blocks they need for a successful life."

The money comes in part from a $4 million investment by the social innovation fund.

Learn more about United Way programs at this link.