June 29 marked the opening of the Family Learning Center on Focus: HOPE’s campus. The Grand Opening included various workshops and seminars put on by the founding sponsor, The Links, Incorporated, an association of professional women of color. The Links, which donated $50,000 to construct the center, provided vision and dental screenings, “ask the doctor” sessions and activities for children including “dance for health,” healthy eating, and information on health care careers.
The opening also featured a ribbon cutting ceremony, where people such as Focus: HOPE Co-founder Eleanor Josaitis, CEO William F. Jones, Jr., Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, and Links National President Gwendolyn Lee made remarks about the event. Bing expressed his appreciation for the progress Focus: HOPE has made. “The transition you see here is something I hope will happen in the city of Detroit … (and that) I will have the same sort of vision and success for the city as these founders have here,” he said.
The new FLC will make a big difference in the lives of community members by offering financial literacy classes, computer training and internet access, safety education and training, tutoring and homework assistance, a resource for health and nutrition information, and links to social services, health services, and utility assistance.
Jones said the FLC is a crucial addition to the organization. “We made a promise to this community that we will support the academic achievement of children living in our neighborhood, from birth through college. We also pledged to support the needs of adults and senior citizens, especially with regard to learning opportunities.”
A series of programs and classes will begin in the fall.
People awaiting the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new Family Learning Center.