29 September 2010

This is our September email about The Detroit College Promise. This fall, we will offer scholarships to all Detroit Public School graduates to attend Michigan public colleges and universities, if they live in Detroit and register by December 1, 2010.  This scholarship is only offered to students enrolled in DPS.

Kevin Smith Partners with EmpowerMind for Pepsi Refresh Challenge to Support Detroit Public School Student Athletes

The Pepsi Refresh Challenge is partnering with Kevin Smith of the Detroit Lions. During September, Kevin Smith is requesting the voting support of Detroit and surrounding areas to put Michigan on the map for the wonderful local initiatives of EmpowerMind to win the $250,000 grant through Pepsi Refresh to help Detroit Public School Student Athletes improve their grades and study habits. Throughout the month of September, EmpowerMind and their volunteer team will be canvassing the city of Detroit and surrounding areas to promote the Pepsi Challenge project for the EmpowerMind program.  Along with the support and partnership of Fathead, the Detroit Public School, city officials, local companies and sponsors we are hoping to pull the city together to help vote!

To VOTE visit www.refresheverything.com/empowermind daily and please vote once a day along with texting 102690 to PEPSI (73774). Each individual can vote once daily online as well as through their mobile phone via text.  Please help support Detroit Public Schools to win!

Get Moving for a Good Cause!

The Detroit College Promise is excited to be organizing a team for The Big House, Big Heart run / walk on October 3, 2010 in Ann Arbor, Michigan  This unique event supports three University of Michigan Health System charities through part of your registration fee, and can also raise money for The Detroit College Promise. The organizers have generously opened this event to all area nonprofits to raise funds. We at The Detroit College Promise invite you to help us raise much needed funding by participating, not only as a runner, walker, wheeler or stroller, but also as a fundraiser.  One hundred percent of funds raised are set aside for scholarships for Detroit Public School graduates in our program.  Click here for more information.

Events We Attended in September

11 September 2010: We attended the 1st Annual Run for Peace & Community Fun Fair at Youthville.

7 September 2010: We attended the backpack giveaway with Detroit Lions Running Back Kevin Smith and Mayor Bing at Northwest Activity Center. You can see additional photos on our Facebook page.



6 September 2010: We attended the Annual Labor Day Parade in Detroit

5 September 2010: We attended the DPS I'm In event at Detroit Science Center

Reminder to Join Us

Just a reminder to please join us for a screening of the fascinating and important documentary film Heart of Stone, and a discussion with Beth Toni Kruvant, the Producer-Director. The event will take place at 2:30 PM, Sunday, October 3, 2010 at Beth Ahm Synagogue; 5075 West Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, Light refreshments will be served.

*If you are an alumnus/alumna of a Detroit public high school, such as Ford, Central or Mumford, this event will be of particular interest to you.




We received our first check from the Kroger Community Rewards program! We want to thank all of those who have signed up. Every bit helps! If you have not signed up to have your Kroger rewards card benefit the Detroit College Promise, it is easy. Click here for more information on how you can make your grocery dollars count.

Shop For a Cause
Just a reminder that we still have $5 coupons available to all of those who donate $5 or more to The Detroit College Promise. The ticket has two valuable offers: 20 percent or 10 percent off most merchandise in the store all day, plus 25 percent off a single purchase on October 16.  Each $5 ticket includes a chance to win a $500 Macy's gift card.  100% of each $5 ticket purchase supports the DCP. As a bonus, on October 16, Macy's stores will go all out to celebrate shoppers by offering special events and entertainment in addition to storewide savings. Contact us today to purchase your ticket, or donate your $5 online today!



Our School launches its Detroit Educational Tour
With the educational crisis unfolding in Detroit under national attention, Our School, a film that began in 2005 documenting the district's school closure plan over five years, will show as part of Detroit Public Library's Education Awareness Month. This feature length documentary presents the daily life within three Detroit public high schools; Mackenzie, Catherine Ferguson Academy for Young Mothers and Southeastern High School. The screening at the Detroit Public Library will commence Our School's Educational Tour within Detroit Public Schools to utilize the film as an educational tool for staff, parents, and students. The film will be shown on Saturday October 9th, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. The program is free and open to the public, and will be followed by a facilitated discussion. The event will be held at the Detroit Public Library Main Branch - 5201 Woodward Ave. Detroit, MI 48202 (313) 833-1000 - and begin promptly at 2:00 p.m.

For more information, to purchase a DVD or to set up a screening of Our School
for your institution, please contact Oren Goldenberg (248) 224-9063 or
oren@ourschoolproductions.com, email, Info@ourschoolproductions.com.


Tom Joyner's Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day!
Join KISS 105.9 FM and J. Anthony Brown of the Tom Joyner Morning Show for FREE health screenings at the Northwest Activities Center (8100 Myers Rd. Detroit, MI 48235). The Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day will take place on Tuesday, September 28, from 6AM to 2 PM. For more information call 313-259-2000.


Many Thanks Are In Order
Thanks to Frank Nemecek for writing about President Obama's Letter of Encouragement for our students in his Warrendale (Detroit) blog - link

Thanks to State Senator Hansen Clarke, candidate for US Congress, 13th District, for endorsing our program.  Thanks also to Rocky Raczkowski, candidate for US Congress, 9th District, for endorsing our program.

Joseph Volk, of the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel wrote an interesting article on the possibility of starting a program similar to ours and the Kalamazoo Promise. To read the full article click here.