Ford Motor Company Launches New Program to Support Detroit
Neighborhoods with $10 Million Investment
DETROIT, Dec. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
- Ford Motor Company Fund announces $10
million program in Detroit,
including a community center, new youth recreation and summer camp,
support for education and summer job programs
- The new Ford Resource and Engagement Center in southwest
Detroit will offer community
gathering space with a Gleaners client choice food service center,
cultural and job training opportunities, and other community
services
- New program builds on major ongoing investments by Ford Fund in
nonprofits and community initiatives throughout southeast
Michigan
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) and its community relations
arm, Ford Motor Company Fund (Ford Fund), today announced the
launch of a major program in Detroit to strengthen neighborhoods and
provide support for education, summer jobs programs and other
community needs.
The $10 million program, called
Operation Brighter Future – Detroit, augments Ford Fund's ongoing
community partnerships, as well as support for southeast
Michigan nonprofits for community
development, cultural and many other programs. The support has
totaled approximately $60 million
during the past five years.
The centerpiece of the program is the new Ford Resource and
Engagement Center. It will be opened at the Mexicantown Mercado
building in southwest Detroit.
Under the arrangement, the building – which has been unused in
recent years – will offer cultural and job training programs and
other community services, including a Gleaners client choice food
service center. Ford Fund will provide funding to local nonprofits
to implement these programs and also provide the resources to
operate the facility for at least four years.
"The Mexicantown Community Development Corporation (MCDC) board
of directors is proud to partner with Ford Motor Company Fund and
the city of Detroit to provide
comprehensive programming at the Mexicantown Mercado that aligns
with its original purpose as a community resource," said
Hector Hernandez, chairman emeritus
of the MCDC board. "Ford, the city and MCDC are all committed to
providing the highest-quality services to the southwest
Detroit community within the
Mercado, and we envision exciting cultural programming on the
soon-to-be enhanced plaza space, complete with a new water fountain
feature to extend this extraordinary exterior community plaza."
Ford also is announcing it will "adopt" the Patton Recreation
Center in southwest Detroit.
Presently designated as a senior center, Ford will provide funding
to add a wide variety of youth programming at the center, including
arts, gymnastics, lacrosse, karate and swimming.
In addition, Ford will provide funding for the Brighter Future
Summer Camp at Patton Recreation Center. The camp will offer 80 to
90 youth a meaningful and fun youth summer camp experience. Ford
Fund also will provide a limited number of scholarships for youth
to attend Camp Brighter Future.
"The Operation Brighter Future – Detroit initiative supports Ford's work to
build a better world," said Mark
Fields, chief operating officer, Ford Motor Company. "We are
excited to contribute this $10
million investment toward services and support that will
empower families and strengthen the community."
Other initiatives in Operation Brighter Future – Detroit include:
- Donation to the Public Safety Foundation of two F-Series
chassis, which will be turned into new ambulances for the city of
Detroit
- Support for Greening of Detroit and its projects to turn abandoned
sites into parks
- Funding for the Detroit Summer Youth Employment program that
provides training and work experience for youth ages 14 to 21
"This is very exciting news for the city and our residents,"
said Detroit Mayor Dave Bing. "I am extremely grateful for Ford
Motor Company Fund's commitment to make such a generous investment
in our neighborhoods. The Fund's emphasis on jobs, recreation
centers, youth and educational opportunities is in line with my
administration's plans to improve the quality of life for all of
our citizens. We need partners like Ford Motor Company Fund to help
us transform Detroit."
About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community
Services
Ford Motor Company Fund and Community
Services works with community partners to advance driving safety,
education and community life. For more than 60 years, Ford Motor
Company Fund has operated with ongoing funding from Ford Motor
Company. The award-winning Ford Driving Skills for Life program
teaches new drivers through a variety of hands-on and interactive
methods. Innovation in education is encouraged through national
programs that enhance high school learning and provide college
scholarships and university grants. Through the Ford Volunteer
Corps, 25,000 Ford employees and dealers work on projects each year
that better their communities in more than 20 countries. For more
information, visit www.community.ford.com.
SOURCE Ford Motor Company