http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/ Latest News from Skillman.orgen-us Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:29:19 PMTue, 17 Aug 2010 07:26:42 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58641 DETROIT – The Skillman Foundation has added Denise Ilitch and Mary L. Kramer to its Board of Trustees. Ilitch is an attorney with Clark Hill, PLC, where she advises clients in the areas of business practice, corporate law and government policy. Prior to joining Clark Hill, Ilitch was the president of Ilitch Holdings, Inc., a privately held business that manages such entities as Little Caesar Enterprises, the Detroit Red Wings, the Detroit Tigers and Olympia Entertainment. As owner of Denise Ilitch Designs and the owner and publisher of Ambassador Magazine, Ilitch promotes entrepreneurship and the successes of Michigan citizens. She was also part of the team that joined business and government leaders to create the vibrant sports and entertainment district, including the side-by-side stadium project, Comerica Park and Ford Field near the Fox Theatre. Ilitch is also vice chair of the Board of Regents at the University of Michigan. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and her law degree from the University of Detroit School of Law.   Kramer is publisher of Crain’s Detroit Business. Kramer is a graduate of Grand Valley State University and holds a master's degree in integrated marketing communication from Eastern Michigan University. She joined Crain's as editor in April 1989 and was named publisher in 2005, responsible for sales, circulation and editorial operations of the weekly business newspaper that has an estimated readership of 150,000. She began her career as a reporter covering K-12 and higher education at The Grand Rapids Press and held newsroom management positions there and at the Kalamazoo Gazette, Ann Arbor News, Greenwich (Conn.) Time and Buffalo (N.Y.) Courier-Express. Kramer is active in a number of personal and professional organizations. She was the first woman to be elected president of the historic Detroit Athletic Club. Created in 1960, The Skillman Foundation is a private philanthropy whose chief aim is to help develop good schools and good neighborhoods for children. Though grants are made throughout metropolitan Detroit, most grants are directed at six Detroit neighborhoods – Southwest Detroit (Vernor and Chadsey/Condon), Brightmoor, Osborn, Cody/Rouge and the Northend – and toward innovative and successful schools throughout the city of Detroit. Tue, 17 Aug 2010 07:06:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58633 DETROIT – The Skillman Foundation’s Board of Trustees approved more than $2 million in Good Schools: Making the Grade grants to 101 schools. The schools will receive from $5,000 to $75,000 each, and will be eligible to participate in learning opportunities offered by the Good Schools Resource Center to help them improve. Thirty-seven of the schools were recognized in the top category, High Performing, and 64 in the Improving category. The schools will use the grant awards for student materials and equipment; professional development and training; parent and community involvement activities; and implementing, expanding or improving programs in a variety of areas, including technology, literacy, fine arts, bilingual education and extracurricular activities. “The Skillman Foundation is pleased to provide awards to these schools for their hard work in educating children and providing quality education,” said Skillman Foundation President & CEO Carol Goss. “There are pockets of excellence with excellent teachers and principals throughout the city of Detroit in the Detroit Public Schools system, charter schools, private and parochial. These schools are working hard to make a difference in the lives of young children and to insure that they grow to be healthy, educated and ready for adulthood. We congratulate them all and wish them continued success.” The Foundation's Good Schools: Making the Grade was launched in 2004 as a seven-year initiative to recognize and award high-performing and improving schools in Detroit. Since its inception, 245 schools have received some form of recognition; more than 200,000 Good Schools Guides have been distributed, and more than $8 million in grants to Detroit schools have been awarded.    Although the Making the Grade initiative is coming to a close with this last class of awardees, the Foundation will continue its push to create good schools for Detroit children through its leadership role in the Excellent Schools Detroit coalition, the MSU Good Schools Resource Center and directly with neighborhood schools.   The 37 High Performing Schools are: 1. Bates Academy (Elementary) 2. Bates Academy (Middle) 3. Benjamin Mays Male Academy (Elementary ) 4. Burton International (Elementary) 5. Burton International (Middle) 6. Carstens Elementary (Middle) 7. Charles Wright Academy (Elementary) 8. Chrysler Elementary School 9. Clippert Academy (Middle) 10. Cooke Elementary School 11. Detroit Edison Public School Academy (Elementary) 12. Detroit Merit Academy (Elementary) 13. Detroit Service Learning Academy (Middle) 14. Foreign Language Immersion Culture Center (FLICS-Middle) 15. Garvey Academy (Elementary) 16. Garvey Academy (Middle) 17. Gompers Elementary School 18. Halley Magnet (Middle) 19. John R. King Academic and Performing Arts (Elementary) 20. Ludington Magnet  School (Middle) 21. Mann Elementary 22. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Center (Elementary) 23. Marvin Winans Academy (Middle) 24. Nataki Talibah Schoolhouse of Detroit (Elementary) 25. Nichols School (Elementary) 26. Oakland International Academy (Elementary) 27. Oakland International Academy (Middle) 28. Pasteur Elementary School (Elementary) 29. Plymouth Educational Center (Elementary) 30. Plymouth Educational Center (Middle) 31. Renaissance High School 32. Spain Elementary School (Elementary) 33. Thirkell Elementary School 34. University of Detroit Jesuit (High) 35. University of Detroit Jesuit (Middle) 36. Vernor Elementary School 37. Wayne Elementary School To view the complete list of 2010 Making the Grade schools, click here . To learn more about each school, view the Foundation’s Good Schools map . Created in 1960, The Skillman Foundation is a private philanthropy whose chief aim is to help develop good schools and good neighborhoods for children. Though grants are made throughout metropolitan Detroit, most grants are directed at six Detroit neighborhoods – Southwest Detroit (Vernor and Chadsey/Condon), Brightmoor, Osborn, Cody/Rouge and the Northend – and toward innovative and successful schools throughout the city of Detroit. Mon, 09 Aug 2010 06:14:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58632 Fortune magazine recently named Skillman Foundation President & CEO Carol Goss "Detroit's Class Act" in the publication's Visionaries series. The series profiles 12 people in Detroit whose ideas and energy offer the city hope for a more vibrant economy. "If Detroit schools have a last best friend, it's Carol Goss," writes author Steven Gray. Read the full story here . Sat, 07 Aug 2010 08:36:00 PM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58629 Skillman Foundation Vice President of Program Tonya Allen has been selected as one of fifteen philanthropic leaders for the inaugural Council on Foundations' 2010-2011 Career Pathways program. The one-year program seeks to recruit and foster excellence and diverse talent in philanthropy's most senior levels. "The impact and effectiveness of philanthropy are strengthened by diversity and inclusive practices that support leadership preparation," said Steve Gunderson, president and CEO of the Council on Foundations. "We expect that Pathways will become one of the most effective efforts to prepare, recruit, and retain talented leaders who will help drive the sector's efforts to improve lives and communities." For more information on the Pathways program, visit www.cof.org . Sun, 25 Jul 2010 07:55:00 PM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58624 DETROIT — Skillman Foundation President & CEO Carol Goss was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree by Walsh College on Saturday. The presentation was made to Goss at the college's 95th Commencement ceremonies, where Goss was the keynote speaker. Goss, whose speech was titled, "Quality Education: The Great Equalizer," was recently named a Detroit News "Michiganian of the Year" for leading a coalition to create excellent schools for all children in Detroit. Thu, 01 Jul 2010 05:47:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58604 The public campaign for summer jobs for youth in The Skillman Foundation’s Good Neighborhoods and the city of Detroit was launched May 24, with a special “Breakfast of Champions.” Compuware CEO Peter Karmanos, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and Skillman President & CEO Carol Goss co-hosted the Summer 2010 Youth Employment Community Campaign for 60 corporations that have signed on to employ a young person this summer. Co-champions Peter Karmanos, Carol Goss and Mayor Dave Bing Bing and Goss each spoke about the importance of those first work experiences and how they played a major part in shaping their own personal work ethic and future. Goss described her first real job as a teaching assistant for a Head Start program at age 17. “The teachers there encouraged me to go forward in life,” Goss said. “They told me I could do whatever I wanted to do.” The summer jobs program is based in part on the idea that exposing young people to the business environment and career options at an early age helps to stem chronic unemployment. Based on some of the testimonies of the 7,000 youths who participated in last year’s summer employment program, more than one-third of them contributed their earnings to meet household expenses. It works for everyone involved: the youth, their families, the corporations and the city of Detroit. For more information, call City Connect Detroit’s customer care number: 313.964.2822. Tue, 15 Jun 2010 07:04:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58591 The Skillman Foundation was one of more than 200 funders nationwide to receive the Council on Foundations' 2010 Distinguished Grantmaking Award for Collaboration for its part in the National Fund for Workforce Solutions. This award, the highest honor bestowed by the Council, is presented to all philanthropies participating in the National Fund for Workforce Solutions for the “vision and leadership that has brought together funders nationwide in an unprecedented effort to bring groundbreaking pilot projects to scale, and to help low-income Americans build careers and businesses compete.” “We are excited by the Council's recognition of our efforts in Detroit to help low-income workers get jobs and advance in careers,” said Tonya Allen, vice president of program. “It is recognition that we are working with our local philanthropic partners to pool our resources and make a difference.” Created in 1960, The Skillman Foundation is a private philanthropy whose chief aim is to help develop good schools and good neighborhoods for children. Though grants are made throughout metropolitan Detroit, most grants are directed at six Detroit neighborhoods – Southwest Detroit (Vernor and Chadsey/Condon), Brightmoor, Osborn, Cody/Rouge and the Northend – and toward innovative and successful schools throughout the city of Detroit. Tue, 25 May 2010 06:28:00 PM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58589 NPR's Morning Edition featured the Skillman-supported MAN Network in a story that aired nationwide Tuesday. The story, which aired as part of the show's week-long look at Detroit, focuses on local heroes that are working to make their neighborhoods better. "This is where I live," said Marcel Copeland , who joined the MAN Network two years ago, on the show. "It could be where my children will live and my grandchildren live. So why make myself live somewhere that is, you know, dangerous and dirty when we don't have to?" To listen to the story or read the transcript, please click here . To learn more about the MAN Network, visit www.themannetwork.net . Wed, 19 May 2010 06:49:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58587 DETROIT – The Skillman Foundation announced this week the promotion of program officer Sharnita Johnson to senior program officer, changemaking. In addition, Henry McClendon has joined the Foundation as a program officer, with a focus on education.   Johnson came to the Foundation in July 2004 with significant programmatic experience in the nonprofit sector as a funder, fundraiser and advisor. Her portfolio includes arts, culture, youth development, community engagement and leadership. Johnson serves on numerous nonprofit boards, and is co-founder and co-chair of the Council on Michigan Foundations’ Arts Affinity Group. A native Detroiter, Johnson has a bachelor's degree from Marygrove College and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Michigan, Dearborn.   McClendon, who has a bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University, comes to the Foundation after serving as director of youth development for New Detroit, Inc. He also was a Michigan regional representative for the International Institute for Restorative Practices, a graduate school that focuses on the emerging social science of restorative practices, which offers a common thread to tie together theory, research and practice in seemingly disparate fields, such as education, counseling, criminal justice, social work and organizational management.   Created in 1960, The Skillman Foundation is a private philanthropy whose chief aim is to help develop good schools and good neighborhoods for children. Though grants are made throughout metropolitan Detroit, most grants are directed at six Detroit neighborhoods – Southwest Detroit (Vernor and Chadsey/Condon), Brightmoor, Osborn, Cody/Rouge and the Northend – and toward innovative and successful schools throughout the city of Detroit. Tue, 18 May 2010 07:05:00 PM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58571 DETROIT — The fourth annual ARISE Detroit! Neighborhoods Day returns to the city on Aug. 7 with more than 100 events planned. ARISE Detroit, a coalition of more than 400 nonprofits, churches and community groups, created the event to showcase neighborhoods' pride and spirit while also improving the quality of life for Detroit's residents. "With all the concern the community has recently expressed about Detroit's national image with the media, this is a great opportunity for people all over Detroit to show what they are doing to make their neighborhoods better," said Luther Keith, executive director of ARISE Detroit! Neighborhood groups and volunteers must register by July 7 to participate. Registration is accepted online at www.arisedetroit.org or by calling 313.921.1955. Tue, 18 May 2010 06:42:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58562 One hundred top college graduates will come to apply for positions in Detroit during the 2010-11 school year as Teach for America returns to the area. "Teach For America's expansion to Detroit will bring great teachers to our city's most challenging classrooms and change the trajectory for underserved students, which is a top priority of the new citywide Excellent Schools Detroit Coalition,” said Tonya Allen, vice president of program for The Skillman Foundation. “We are proud to support this effective program that is helping to build good schools and strong leaders who set high standards and shape students for success both in and out of the classroom.” Teach for America, which previously placed teachers in the area in 2001-2003, is a national corps of top college graduates and professionals who commit to teach for two years in under-resourced schools. Remarkable community leadership, an innovative vision and the city's commitment to keep Teach for America in the city over time prompted the organization to choose Detroit. “We’re excited to return to Detroit and join the innovative efforts of leaders across the city to expand educational opportunity for all children,” said Wendy Kopp, founder and chief executive officer of Teach For America. “We are inspired by the leadership of Governor Granholm, the United Way of Southeastern Michigan, and the Skillman Foundation, and are tremendously grateful for the support from district and school leaders, community groups, and local philanthropists in Detroit. This commitment will enable us to develop a strong pipeline of dedicated teachers and education leaders for the city.” Teach for America will partner with the University of Michigan, where all corps members will enroll to obtain their state teaching certification. For more information on Teach for America, please visit www.teachforamerica.org . Wed, 05 May 2010 06:42:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58561 Detroit Parent Network executive director Sharlonda Buckman said she was overwhelmed by the turnout to the bus tours offered last Thursday as a way for parents to shop for excellent schools. Nearly 200 Detroit parents participated in the tours, which visited selected public, private and parochial schools that have proven to be excellent. Another round of bus tours is scheduled for May 13. To read Detroit Free Press columnist's Rochelle Riley's take on the bus tours, please click here . To watch a video from WDIV-Channel 4, please click here . Tue, 04 May 2010 04:32:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58557 DETROIT – Skillman Foundation President & CEO Carol Goss was appointed to the Council on Foundations Board of Directors this week at COF’s annual conference, which was held Sunday through Tuesday in Denver. The Council on Foundations is a membership organization of approximately 2,000 grantmaking foundations and corporations that supports its members in various aspects of foundation management. COF provides the opportunity, leadership and tools needed by philanthropic organizations to expand, enhance and sustain their ability to advance the common good. COF serves community and independent foundations, corporate grantmakers, family and global philanthropy. Wed, 28 Apr 2010 06:30:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58544 Parents interested in learning how to choose the right school for their child can join a bus tour Thursday presented by the Detroit Parent Network and Excellent Schools Detroit and funded by The Skillman Foundation. Four different bus tours are available from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday for parents who want to become better shoppers for quality, high-performing schools. Each tour will visit three area schools. The program will emphasize what to look for in a good school, how to ask the right questions and build relationships and current options for your child. A hot breakfast will be available between 8:30-9:30 a.m. and lunch will also be provided on the tour, which departs and returns from YouthVille Detroit (7375 Woodward, Detroit). For more details, including which schools the tours will visit, please click here . To register, call 313.309.1457. Mon, 26 Apr 2010 06:17:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58528 DETROIT — Michigan Neighborhood Partnership, in collaboration with the Youth Development Commission and ARISE Detroit, will be sponsoring the first youth worker training conference entitled “Best Practices,” designed for individuals and organizations serving in faith-based  and community-based organizations, from April 22-24.  The conference will be held at New Beginnings Cathedral Church located at 11433 Beaconsfield on Detroit’s eastside. Best Practices is a conference for youth workers featuring some of the most effective practitioners in youth work nationally and internationally. The focus of this conference is to introduce individuals – both volunteers and professional youth workers in faith-based and community-based organizations – to new and proven models of success. Best Practices will highlight such projects as The Youth Violence System of Boston, the University of Michigan’s Youth Dialogues, the Harlem Children’s Zone of New York, Lawndale Community Church in Chicago, The National Youth Leadership Project Youth for Christ, and the Urban Leadership Development of the Memphis Leadership Foundation. In addition to the Best Practice organizational program models, the conference will expose and equip youth workers in the 40 Developmental Assets, Juvenile Re-entry, Advocacy, Service Learning/Missions, Mentoring/Discipleship, Abstinence Programming and Program Evaluation. Best Practices has four developmental tracks: Youth Development, Program Development, Professional Development and Best Practice Models. These four tracks combined will feature 24 workshops or seminars. Created in 1960, The Skillman Foundation is a private philanthropy whose chief aim is to help develop good schools and good neighborhoods for children. Though grants are made throughout metropolitan Detroit, most grants are directed at six Detroit neighborhoods – Southwest Detroit (Vernor and Chadsey/Condon), Brightmoor, Osborn, Cody/Rouge and the Northend – and toward innovative and successful schools throughout the city of Detroit. Mon, 12 Apr 2010 05:48:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58516 Lawrence Technological University's Learning Circle for Nonprofit Financial Executives continues Tuesday with guest Dennis Dolbee, director of financial management support for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. The free event, which takes place from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at LTU, is open to any individual who oversees financial management at a nonprofit organization. Dolbee will offer the group his insight and experiences from providing financial management support and training at the Boys and Girls Clubs across the country. To attend, download and complete the registration form and email to Bob Seestadt . For more information, email nonprofitcenter@ltu.edu . Fri, 26 Mar 2010 04:19:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58515 The Detroit Public Library and Detroit Free Press columnist Rochelle Riley are seeking young artists who would like to have their artwork published in an upcoming book. Children ages 9 to 13 in southeastern Michigan are eligible to enter their sketches to appear in Riley's new book, "Raising a Parent: Lessons My Daughter Taught Me While We Grew Up Together." Twelve winning artists will have their artwork inlcuded in the book and will each receive a $500 scholarship. Parents are also encouraged to submit essays for Riley's next book in 2011, in which parents have the opportunity to tell their own stories. Sketches must be submitted by April 1 in one of the following categories: Holidays, Nicknames, First day of school, Teen clothes, Bad words, Report cards, Birthdays, Back to school, Discipline, First cars, Privacy, Prom, Vacation car rides and Grandparents. Each sketch must be drawn on an 8 1/2-inch by 11-inch sheet of white sketch paper that is turned sideways. Parent essays must be submitted by Aug. 1. For more information, contact Tracey Wyatt at the Detroit Public Library: 313.481.1341. Thu, 25 Mar 2010 11:32:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58509 DETROIT – The Skillman Foundation has been named a double-Silver Award winner for excellence in communications by the 2010 Wilmer Shields Rich Awards Program. Sponsored by the Council on Foundations, the awards program recognizes effective communications efforts to increase public awareness of foundations and corporate giving programs. The Skillman Foundation received the awards for its 2009 Good Schools Guide and its website . The awards will be presented during the Council on Foundations’ Annual Conference, April 25-27, at the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center. Entries to the awards program included annual or biennial reports, electronic publications, magazines/periodicals, special reports, public information campaigns and websites. This year, 166 entries were submitted to the awards program. Created in 1960, The Skillman Foundation is a private philanthropy whose chief aim is to help develop good schools and good neighborhoods for children. Though grants are made throughout metropolitan Detroit, most grants are directed at six Detroit neighborhoods – Southwest Detroit (Vernor and Chadsey/Condon), Brightmoor, Osborn, Cody/Rouge and the Northend – and toward innovative and successful schools throughout the city of Detroit. Tue, 23 Mar 2010 06:32:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58498 DETROIT — A broad and diverse cross-section of Detroit’s education, government, civic and community, parent, and philanthropic leaders today released a citywide education plan that calls for sweeping changes to improve the city’s schools. Its goals: By 2020 Detroit will be the first major U.S. city where 90% of students graduate from high school, 90% enroll in college or a quality postsecondary training program, and 90% of enrollees are prepared to succeed without needing remediation. The Excellent Schools Detroit coalition said it would take multiple steps to achieve these goals, including: Establish an independent watchdog Standards and Accountability Commission to set citywide standards for all schools and preK programs, and publish annual reports on each Educate and train parents to become “smarter school shoppers” Build public support to make the mayor accountable for Detroit Public Schools, providing leadership and stability Keep the pressure on DPS, charter authorizers and independent school trustees to close persistently failing schools Create at least 40 more new quality schools by 2015 and 70 by 2020. The focus is on creating new academic programs, not new facilities. Some of the new schools might be in new buildings, such as those now being built by Detroit Public Schools with the 2009 school bond money. Others will be located in existing buildings, replacing school programs that will be closed because of consistently low performance. Develop a citywide “community schools” initiative  Mount a major campaign to reward, recruit, develop and keep enough talented principals to lead our schools and excellent teachers to teach in them Advocate for the increased school-based autonomy over staffing, budgets and programs that will make Detroit an attractive place for the best and brightest school leaders to work "This citywide education plan is designed to help all children, whether they happen to attend a traditional public school, public charter school or independent school. Every Detroit child should be attending an excellent school, period,” said Carol Goss (President & CEO, the Skillman Foundation), who convened the coalition. “The status quo is unacceptable and indefensible.” The citywide plan was based on months of discussions by coalition members, as well as a series of six community meetings in November and December, youth focus groups, small group discussions with multiple stakeholders, and other outreach efforts. The Parthenon Group, a prominent national consulting firm, led an extensive research effort, which drew on successful practices in districts such as New York, Boston, Chicago, Charlotte, New Orleans and other cities whose reform strategies have produced strong student achievement gains. The group pointed to multiple indicators in making its case for bold changes. For instance, only 3 percent of Detroit’s 4th graders and 4 percent of 8th graders meet national math standards; experts say that Detroit students could have done about the same if they’d just guessed on the test. Only 2 percent of the city’s high school students are prepared for college-level math and 11 percent for college-level reading. “Ensuring every child has access to an excellent school is a moral imperative and economic necessity ... for them and for all of us. Quality schools will be the foundation of the revitalized city we are creating,” said Mayor Dave Bing. The coalition pointed to more than two dozen high-poverty schools that already are providing an excellent education to Detroit students. “Schools like these provide inspiration and hope. They show what’s possible. If these schools can help children succeed, we should expect the same from all Detroit’s schools,” said Sharlonda Buckman (Executive Director, Detroit Parent Network). “Having independent, quality report cards on each school will help parents become much more informed and much more demanding.” Leaders of the following organizations signed the plan: David Esselman, Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation; Mayor Dave Bing and Sue Carnell, City of Detroit; Ralph C. Bland, Detroit Edison Public School Academy; Robert C. Bobb, Barbara Byrd Bennett and Robert Boik, Detroit Public Schools; Michael J. Brennan, Michael Tenbusch and Kelly Green, United Way for Southeastern Michigan; Sharlonda Buckman, Detroit Parent Network; C. David Campbell, McGregor Fund; Clarke Durant, Cornerstone Schools; Lou Glazer, Michigan Future, Inc.; Carol Goss, Tonya Allen and Kristen McDonald, Skillman Foundation; Greg Handel, Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce; Rip Rapson and Wendy Jackson, Kresge Foundation; Doug Ross, New Urban Learning and University Prep; Sterling K. Speirn and Gregory B. Taylor, W. K. Kellogg Foundation; Shirley R. Stancato and David Gamlin, New Detroit; and Daniel S. Varner, Think Detroit PAL.  Through the Excellent Schools Detroit coalition, these individuals and groups pledged a coordinated approach to follow up on their own commitments and to build the community support for others to act in areas where they don’t have direct control, such as creating Mayoral accountability for DPS. Copies of the 20-page plan (Taking Ownership: Our Pledge to Educate All of Detroit’s Children), a four-page summary and related background material are available at www.excellentschoolsdetroit.org . A PDF of the plan is also available here . Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:28:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58494 Local foundation, nonprofit, Detroit Public Schools and government leaders will announce a citywide education plan at an 11 a.m. news conference on Thursday at The Skillman Foundation. The diverse group of leaders have been meeting several months to develop the plan, which will be available after the news conference at www.skillman.org and www.excellentschoolsdetroit.org . The Excellent Schools Detroit coalition, formed in late 2009 with hopes of utilizing the community's new sense of urgency and hope to improve Detroit's schools, includes ARISE Detroit, the City of Detroit, Detroit Edison Public School Academy, Detroit Parent Network, Detroit Public Schools, the Kellogg Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, the McGregor Fund, Michigan Future, Inc., New Detroit, New Urban Learning and University Prep, The Skillman Foundation, Think Detroit PAL, and United Way for Southeastern Michigan. Three nationally regarded firms are assisting the planning process. Led by the Parthenon Group, the team includes the Community Building Institute and KSA-Plus Communications. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:45:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58493 DETROIT — Michigan Future, Inc. has launched an ambitious, multi-million dollar effort to open 35 new, college-prep high schools in the Detroit metro area over the next eight years. This accelerated expansion of high schools, Michigan Future Schools, is being funded by The Skillman Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Kresge Foundation and the McGregor Fund. The initiative will begin with the expansion of the successful Detroit Edison Public School Academy (DEPSA). The DEPSA High School will open this fall. Michigan Future is accepting applications for two additional high schools to open in the fall of 2011. Additionally, the Detroit Public Schools is preparing a proposal for support of a new Science and Medicine High School to open in the fall of 2011. Application details can be viewed at http://michiganfuture.org/schools/ . Schools will feature high expectations, excellent teachers and principals, enrollment of fewer than 500 students, project-based learning, and strong social and emotional support for students. "We expect that all students enrolled in our high schools will succeed in college," said Lou Glazer, president of the nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank, MFI . "We have committed to our funders that at least 85% o f enrollees will earn a college degree." To date, MFI has received $13 million in grants to launch seven high schools during the next three years. The group hopes to raise $38 million more to fund 35 schools by 2018. "We care about students and their success -- not who's in charge," said Skillman Foundation Vice President of Programming Tonya Allen, who chairs the Governing Council for Michigan Future Schools. "We will support schools throughout metro Detroit (south of Twelve Mile Road and east of Telegraph) provided that they are open to Detroit students. We believe foundations work for the common good and that everyone in Michigan should have the opportunity to live in a community they can be proud of." Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:32:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58485 Creating opportunities for youth employment while engaging and cultivating Detroit's future workforce is the focus of the first-ever Youth Employment Summit on March 1. The day-long event will feature leaders from the philanthropic, nonprofit, public and private sectors and will include speaker Janet Howard from the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth. The summit runs from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the DTE Energy Corporate Headquarters, One Energy Place, Detroit. To register for the event, email rsvp@cityconnectdetroit.org . For more information, please click here . Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:25:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58479 DETROIT — Skillman Foundation President & CEO Carol Goss envisions her future Detroit having " vibrant neighborhoods with strong schools designed to meet a wide variety of needs for our children." That was the resonating message during the panel discussion, which focused primarily on ideas of repositioning Detroit to move forward as a world-class city. The event, which was hosted by TIME Inc. and the Brookings Institution, was titled “Reimagining Detroit: Making Washington a Partner in Detroit’s Next Economy.” The event was moderated by TIME’s " Assignment Detroit" correspondent Steven Gray and John Austin, Brookings non-resident senior fellow and vice president of the Michigan State Board of Education. Sharing the stage with Goss as panelists were Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and New Economy Initiative Chairman Steve Hamp. The conversation took place Feb. 11 at the College for Creative Studies’ Argonaut Building. The audience of more than 200 was a diverse mix of people, including Detroit’s top leaders in community, business, government, philanthropy and education. Created in 1960, The Skillman Foundation is a private philanthropy whose chief aim is to help develop good schools and good neighborhoods for children. Though grants are made throughout metropolitan Detroit, most grants are directed at six Detroit neighborhoods – Southwest Detroit (Vernor and Chadsey/Condon), Brightmoor, Osborn, Cody/Rouge and the Northend – and toward innovative and successful schools throughout the city of Detroit. Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:07:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58478 Skillman Foundation President & CEO Carol Goss was honored at the 23rd annual Soul Food luncheon on Tuesday for her work to improve educational opportunities for Detroit's children. Detroit Mayor Dave Bing presented the award at the luncheon held at the federal courthouse. Read the full story in the Detroit Free Press here . Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:02:00 AM http://www.skillman.org/news-events/press-releases/?i=58472 The Matrix Human Services, a Skillman Foundation grantee, is featured in a WDIV Channel 4 story about the center's partnership with this weekend's Motown Winter Blast. Matrix will be collecting donations from Winter Blast participants — items such as nonperishable foods, clothing and used books — at the festival. They'll also be distributing the items at several booths. To view the video, please click here . Fri, 12 Feb 2010 06:36:00 AM