Children to benefit from new computers, books and home economics learning center
Officials from the Next Detroit Neighborhood Initiative (NDNI) and Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation presented a $100,000 check to the students at Clark Preparatory Academy on Detroit’s east side this afternoon during a ceremony to unveil plans for major classroom upgrades.
Detroit Public Schools Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb, Principal Cindy Lang, NDNI Executive Director Steve Ogden and Lowe’s District Manager Les Felder participated in the ceremony.
“We are very pleased to be able to work in partnership with Lowe’s to bring an improved academic environment to the students at Clark Preparatory Academy,” said Ogden. “Our organizational focus in the short term has been to shore up the assets in communities like MorningSide in the wake of record unemployment and foreclosure numbers, but today’s announcement is a long term investment in one of our most valuable assets, our children.”
The $100,000 Lowe’s grant will be used to put new computers and workstations in each of the school’s 18 classrooms along with in-classroom libraries featuring age-appropriate books.
The new home economics learning center, designed by Lowe’s of Harper Woods team member Juanita Velasco, will feature a demonstration kitchen and sewing room. The kitchen will have high-quality oak Shenandoah Cabinetry and Whirlpool stainless steel appliances, including an oven range/cooktop, hood, refrigerator, microwave, blender and toaster oven. The kitchen will accommodate eight students at a time; the sewing room will have seven student stations with sewing machines.
“For Lowe’s, education is the cornerstone to building bright futures and stronger communities, and I’m proud the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation awarded a $100,000 grant to a deserving local project,” Felder said as he presented the check.
“Lowe’s is committed to improving the communities and supporting the causes where we do business and where our employees and customers live and work, and we’re delighted to help invest in the education of Detroit’s future leaders.”
Pat Clifford, store manager of the Harper Woods Lowe’s, said he expects the renovations to be completed before the end of the year.
“The impact of this generous gift will resonate far beyond the walls of this school for many years to come because it has the power to change an entire community, and we are grateful to Lowe’s and Next Detroit Neighborhood Initiative for selecting this worthy school to receive these funds,” said Detroit Public Schools Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb.
NDNI applied for the grant for Clark Preparatory Academy because it is located in one of the community’s where they have implemented the Neighborhood Stabilization Initiative (NSI). The purpose of NSI is to shore up neighborhoods that historically have been very viable, but are experiencing some set-backs due to recent unemployment and foreclosure statistics. The Lowe’s grant will be leveraged by NDNI as part of its overall NSI effort which has also received a grant for $200,000 from the Fannie Mae Office of Community and Charitable Giving.
About Next Detroit Neighborhood Initiative
Next Detroit Neighborhood Initiative is a nonprofit organization with a mission to reinforce, revitalize, and redevelop targeted neighborhoods into thriving communities. Addressing quality of life issues, NDNI fosters community engagement and economic development activities, integrating city services that leverage public and private investment, linking people to resources and providing planning and project management solutions. Visit www.next-detroit.org for more information.
About Lowe’s
Lowe’s is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross, SkillsUSA/ Skills Canada, and The Nature Conservancy, in addition to numerous non-profit organizations and programs that help communities in North America. In 2009, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $30 million to support community and education projects in the United States and Canada. Lowe’s also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe’s Heroes program, a company-wide employee volunteer initiative. Lowe’s is a FORTUNE
