The HOPE Village Initiative aims to develop a safe, strong and nurturing neighborhood where children and their families can develop to their full potential. To accomplish that goal, we will offer an interconnected web of opportunities and support, with education at its center. We expect to build a community where people want to live, work and raise a family – and where children have every opportunity to achieve their greatest potential.
This initiative is inspired by the adage that it "takes a village to raise a child.” Much like the Harlem Children’s Zone in New York, the HOPE Village Initiative will bring together whatever resources are necessary to transform our community. Already, parents, businesses, retirees, educators, block clubs and others are working together to create opportunities for our children.
Initially, the HOPE Village Initiative is focused on the area immediately around Focus: HOPE’s campus, from Hamilton on the east to Dexter on the west, and from Davison on the south and to the Lodge service drive to the north. This area is one of considerable poverty, with deteriorating housing stock, and a very low rate of educational attainment.
Working with the two public schools in our neighborhood, Glazer Elementary School, and Paul Robeson Academy, we aim to transform educational opportunities for children in the neighborhood.
A new Family Learning Center recently opened on Focus: HOPE’s campus to provide support services for parents and children. Services will include computer literacy classes, access to computers with internet, financial literacy classes, tutoring and more.
We invite you to get involved! You can help by volunteering or donating to ensure that this initiative and the children it services have every opportunity to succeed.
Sign up to volunteer for these activities:
- Board Up/Clean Up/Neighborhood Beautification Projects
- Tutoring Children and/or Their Families
- Family Learning Center
Partners in this endeavor include:
- Glazer Elementary School
- Paul Robeson Academy
- Detroit Retired Teachers Association
- Engineers Without Borders
- Michigan State University
- University of Michigan
- Community Technologies Network