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DPS Lands $1.5 Mil Grant To Aid School-Based Community Programs

DETROIT (WWJ) - A big grant for Detroit Public Schools Monday. J.P Morgan Chase has awarded DPS $1.5 million which will aid school-based community programs in southwest Detroit.

DPS Emergency Manager Roy Roberts says any time the community helps with a school, it helps with attendance and academics. And he says at least nine other corporations want to get involve.

"What the strategic plan did for us -- we can identify very specific things that a company can take on, or an institution can take on -- we can measure the progress in that area because that's what they're looking for. They don't want to think that they're 'throwing their money into a black hole. Now, we've got something that's identifiable. We can track it and chart the progress of it," said Roberts.

The community programs are operated, in part, by Southwest Solutions and are linked to the state's Pathways to Potential program.

John Van Camp of Southwest Solutions says the money will help in many ways:

"...bringing foreclosure prevention to the area; supporting summer employment for youth; helping people buy their first home; to get parents involved in their schooling. And, as you have said and made a commitment, to bring the volunteers from the bank to the community."

Southwest Solutions will receive one-million dollars of that money. The remaining $500,000 will aid other community programs tied-in with the state's Pathways to Potential initiative.

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