The Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program kicks-off its fourth year of mentoring at-risk high school girls in the Metropolitan Detroit area. Last school year, the program served 700 at-risk girls in 35 public high schools. During the upcoming school year, the program is expected to expand to an additional 20 schools, serving approximately 1,000 at-risk girls in 55 public high schools. New Mentors will join current Mentors, School Officials and Supporters for the annual kick-off cocktail event on Tuesday, September 16th at 6:00 pm in the Compuware Building.
Founded in 1997 in South Florida, the Women of Tomorrow program expanded into the Metro Detroit area in 2011, thanks in part to support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The Metro Detroit Program celebrated its inaugural graduating class in May, boasting a 97% high school graduation rate, compared to a 65% high school graduation rate among area high schools. Over $350,000 in college scholarships were awarded to Metro Detroit’s inaugural graduating class.
Women of Tomorrow Founder and President, Jennifer Valoppi will address the crowd, along with other Metro Detroit Board of Directors in attendance. The Women of Tomorrow Metro Detroit Board of Directors includes Millinda Sinnreich, Clinical Coordinator and Office Manager of Extremity Preservation; Judy Zeder, Realtor at The Zeder Team at EWM; Lori Blaker, President and CEO of TTi Global; Laurie Cunnington, President of Ward Williston Oil Co.; Joanne Faycurry, Partner at Schiff Hardin, LLP; Florine Mark, President & Chairman of the Weight Watchers Group, Inc.; Judith Trepeck, CPA at The Trepeck Group, LLC.; Dianne Wells, Partner at Plante & Moran, PLLC and Ellen Hill Zeringue, VP of Marketing for the Detroit Tigers.
Women of Tomorrow graduate and scholarship recipient, Margaret Parham, will also be on hand to share with guests the impact that the program had and continues to have on her life. Event sponsors include Plante Moran, ANNABELCOOKS and Deutch Family Wine and Spirits.
Founder & President, Jennifer Valoppi says: “I believe one of the most effective ways to break the cycles of violence, poverty and abuse, is to uplift the young women who will raise the next generation. It all stops here. Women of Tomorrow is one of the most unique and powerful organizations of its kind anywhere. Our amazing mentors are the reason for our tremendous success in getting at-risk young girls to overcome their obstacles and live up to their full potential.”
About Post Author
