University of Detroit Mercy students recently made a presentation of service learning projects supported by a $40,000 grant from The Ford Motor Company Fund, Ford Community Corps.
“This is one of the events I look forward to all year,” said Tim Hipskind, S.J., director of service learning for the University.
The 13 Ford Community Corps projects funded included the Detroit Prevention & Awareness in the Community (DPAC), a community-engaging educational project on topics such as drugs, alcohol, sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, sex and technology and early sexual relations. Organizers of this group welcomed more than 100 attendees during an event at the Senate Theater in Detroit, who discussed these issues and are planning other large events. Student leaders with DPAC facilitate discussions that help Detroit youth discuss topics that impact them.
Another project was called Education without Technology and had Detroit Mercy students helping Detroit area elementary students develop math skills without the use of technology — usually with card games — and in ways that parents can participate as well, even if they do not have strong math skills. These strategies were developed by Associate Professor of Teacher Education Jaiwen Wang.
Detroit Mercy students also helped at several community gardens to develop volunteer engagement strategies; bring dental hygiene, career education and leadership development strategies to students in a latch-key program; and provide lessons in social skills building to young students. The Ford Motor Company Fund grant also supported the work MBA students performed with Zaman International.
“I really want to say ‘thank you,’” said Farah Harb to students. Harb is Global Education Programs analyst for Ford Fund. “Ford is the funder, but without you, we wouldn’t have the impact we’re having.”
Other recent grants include:
- $50,000 from the Ford Motor Company Fund to fund the position of manager of the Campus Kitchen to manage food operations and student leadership programming.
- $12,000 from the Metro Health Foundation to provide three academic scholarships to full-time undergraduate nursing students in the McAuley School of Nursing.
- $7,500 from the Helen L. Kay Charitable Trust to support Detroit Mercy Law’s Federal Pro Se Legal Assistance Clinic that supports the well-being of poor and indigent people in southeastern Michigan with cases before the U.S. District Court, Eastern Division.