The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan (CFSEM) recently awarded the ACCESS Youth and Education department a $10,000 grant to support the Dearborn Youth Empowerment Initiative (DYEI). The department was one of 18 projects to receive this grant. The initiative’s purpose is to promote race and ethnic dialogue among youth in metro Detroit.
As a result of a survey conducted in 2014 by the Metropolitan Youth Policy Fellows, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan issued a request for proposals (RFP) from youth-serving organizations at a Youth Summit last September. Young people were encouraged to create programs that address the recommendations that the Metropolitan Policy Youth Fellows had identified.
“ACCESS’ Youth and Education Department has always been committed to providing opportunities for the community, by developing their necessary skills. This 12-month project will allow us to do just that for the 8th graders we’re selecting from seven Dearborn middle schools,” said Sarah Shoucair-Chaar, supervisor for ACCESS’ Academic Youth and Development Programs. “Our goal is to have students acquire the knowledge and tools to become effective leaders. These tools will help them promote integration and address issues in their schools and communities once they transition to high school.”
The University of Michigan School of Social Work’s program, Youth Dialogues on Race and Ethnicity in Metropolitan Detroit -- Michigan Youth and Community, is a consultant on the project and served as a key facilitator for the Youth Summit in September 2014. Support for the project came from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.