UAW-Ford Donates 100,000 to Detroit Youth

In honor of National Love Our Children Day, UAW-Ford will unveil its community contributions to Chapel Vision Community Development Center during an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sat., April 2 beginning at 9 a.m., followed by media and community tours at 11 a.m.
The organization provided a newly renovated recreational facility, which includes: state-of-the-art simulators for baseball/softball and golf, half-size basketball court, fitness area and arcade. UAW-Ford will also announce its Mind & Manners Mentoring and Tutorial Program, all of which will take place at Chapel Vision Community Development Center, located at 5251 E. Outer Drive in Detroit.
 
UAW-Ford’s Vice President Jimmy Settles said, “I feel very blessed and fortunate to be in a position to help give back to such a project in a community that will create a safe haven for youth and residents needing recreational and basic life-skill training needed to produce well-rounded individuals.”
 
The mentoring program will accept youth 8 – 13 years-old, providing them with tutoring, etiquette and baseball training. In addition to UAW-Ford’s contribution, Chapel Vision CDC also installed a new heating and cooling system, lighting, security and renovated classrooms for workshops, teaching and professional development.
 
The objectives for these initiatives are to create positive alternative outlets for local youth, increase literacy to shorten the achievement gap, create a positive culture for youth as well as improve health and physical activity.
 
Coach Brian Brunson of Michigan Heavy Hitters Baseball also will conduct a baseball program for youth program participants.
 
“We are proud to invest in Detroit neighborhoods and young people in an effort to help local communities,” said Bill Dirksen, Ford Motor Company vice president of Labor Affairs. “In order for Detroit to see a complete resurgence, we must commit to working together, and each do our part.”
 
The program is open to area students every Monday and Wednesday from 4 – 7 p.m. in grades third through fifth. Students in grades sixth through eighth can participate Tuesday and Thursday from 4 pm – 6 pm.
 
National Love Our Children Day was established to recognize children’s value in society. This special day honors children by emphasizing the importance of strong families and raises awareness for efforts to keep children safe and protected.
 
“I am extremely proud of this initiative and welcome our community members to take part in this much-needed endeavor.  Our hope is to make Detroit a safe and healthy environment for youth,” said Chapel Vision CDC’s founding Pastor Tellis J. Chapman.
 
Chapel Vision CDC was founded in 2004 by Galilee Baptist Church. It aims to provide outreach services that meet human needs, which addresses the social crisis and improves the quality of life for area residents. These services include recreational programs, summer youth programs, homeless shelter initiatives and soup kitchens.