Category Archives: Blog
Safety – Our Approach
by: The Skillman Foundation | Jan. 8th, 2018 The Skillman Foundation has worked alongside residents, grassroots safety organizations, the Detroit Police Department, Detroit school leaders, and corporate partners to improve community safety, reduce crime and blight, and establish safe routes to school. Our current work in Safety is focused on reducing the number of Detroit […]
Read more »Community & Youth Leadership – Our Approach
by: The Skillman Foundation | Jan. 8th, 2018 Detroit residents – including youth – should have the ability to actively shape their lives, neighborhoods and communities. To this end we support: Platforms that enable community leaders to build their networks and leadership skills Pipelines for new community leaders that provide ongoing growth opportunities Opportunities for […]
Read more »Youth Employment – Our Approach
by: The Skillman Foundation | Jan. 5th, 2018 The Skillman Foundation began working on efforts to increase employment opportunities for Detroit youth in 2008 as a response to surveys of neighborhood youth who overwhelmingly reported having few job options to obtain or aspire to. Since then, the Foundation’s investments have expanded from a small pilot project to […]
Read more »Financial Empowerment – Our Approach
by: The Skillman Foundation | Jan. 5th, 2018 Detroit has become a popular spot for new businesses to call home. We want to ensure the city’s youth can share in the prospect of ownership. Knowing how to manage personal finances is critical to building a secure future for oneself and one’s family. In order for Detroit […]
Read more »College & Career Pathways – Our Approach
by: The Skillman Foundation | Jan. 5th, 2018 Through this approach we aim to enhance in-school and out-of-school supports, particularly for students in grades 6-12, that provide youth with the inspiration and know-how to pursue postsecondary education and/or career options. We aim to help build a comprehensive and connected system of supports that engage young […]
Read more »Present & Ready to Learn – Our Approach
by: The Skillman Foundation | Jan. 4th, 2018 Improvements made in Detroit schools won’t matter if students aren’t attending class. Through our Present & Ready to Learn approach, we are committed to providing supports that enable students to regularly attend school and fully engage in learning. More than half of Detroit students are chronically absent, meaning they miss […]
Read more »Literacy & Numeracy – Our Approach
by: The Skillman Foundation | Jan. 4th, 2018 Prior to working under our current Education, Economy and Equity impact areas, the Skillman Foundation carried out a decade-long Good Neighborhoods Initiative, the last four years of which was focused on a single mega goal to increase high school graduation in six Detroit neighborhoods. Working closely with schools, […]
Read more »Education Ecosystem Reset – Our Approach
by: The Skillman Foundation | Jan. 4th, 2018 We know what your thinking… “What is an education ecosystem?” So let’s start there. When setting out to answer the question, “What makes a school successful?” you come to appreciate the complex fabric that makes up a school as well as its interdependence with the broader community. Every element has an influence […]
Read more »The Parade Company Brings Winning Student Design To Life During 26th Annual Skillman Foundation Float Design Contest
by: | Nov. 15th, 2017 New Float, “The Snowing Mountain,” Inspired by Detroit 7th Grader to Debut in America’s Thanksgiving Parade® Presented by Art Van […]
Read more »Data Transparency
by: Marie Colombo | Nov. 3rd, 2017 The Skillman Foundation has a long-standing, deep commitment to generating and accessing accurate, reliable data for use by staff, partners and the broader community to improve conditions for Detroit children. That value was reinforced this year when we made a one-year grant to maintain the data and research […]
Read more »Webinars! Deep Dives into the Foundation’s New Impact Areas
by: Natalie Fotias | Nov. 1st, 2017 For the past 11 years, the Skillman Foundation focused the majority of its efforts and resources with the aim of improving conditions for children in six Detroit neighborhoods. This year, we’ve spent time reflecting deeply on our lessons learned and strengths developed over that time, as well as contemplating the […]
Read more »Real Change Takes More Than Money
by: | Oct. 18th, 2017 “The most important lesson I learned in my years at the Ford Foundation is that we can’t buy change. Now, if one has enough money, we can rent it for a while.” – Edward J. Meade, Program Officer in Charge (retired), Ford Foundation Years ago when I first began to work […]
Read more »Detroit Children’s Fund Inaugural Dinner Raises Over $1.55 Million for Detroit Schools
by: Natalie Fotias | Oct. 16th, 2017 DETROIT – More than 240 guests were taken back to school when they attended the Detroit Children’s Fund Inaugural Dinner on Saturday, October 14 at The Factory at Corktown in Detroit, MI. The raw venue was transformed with a school theme, complete with notebook-patterned table tops, giant pencils, […]
Read more »Our New Strategic Approaches
by: The Skillman Foundation | Oct. 10th, 2017 Change is happening in Detroit, and it’s happening because of the people and organizations, homegrown and newcomer alike, who believe in the possibilities of the city. But in order for change to be meaningful and lasting, it must also be rooted in the possibility of the people. […]
Read more »Experiencing Detroit Through The Eyes of Its Youth
by: William Sexton | Sep. 25th, 2017 The best way to experience Detroit is to see it through the eyes of its youth. That is the central focus of Our Town, a youth led tour program powered by Atlantic Impact. Founded in 2016, the organization provides young Detroiters with an opportunity to share their city with […]
Read more »How Sharing Experiences Are Helping to Ease Shared Sentences
by: William Sexton | Sep. 25th, 2017 For many kids, Saturday mornings are for sleeping in, cartoons, or early morning sports practice. But for a small group of young men gathered at Detroit’s Northwest Activity Center, Saturdays mornings mean much more. “It makes me feel sad and mad sometimes. I just feel frustrated that he’s […]
Read more »Coding a Future for Detroit Youth
by: William Sexton | Sep. 25th, 2017 Today’s tech industry is booming, and Detroit is at the forefront of job growth in the field. But amid all the excitement, many are questioning how accessible these career opportunities are for city residents, especially youth. Enter JOURNi, a non-profit organization dedicated to equipping young people with the tools […]
Read more »Creating Culture and Community for Young Detroit Artists
by: William Sexton | Sep. 25th, 2017 “Here, I’m learning how to become myself and talk about what I see and experience on a day-to-day basis,” Yeury said confidently. It’s a Friday afternoon and the young community organizer is seated at workstation filled with computer monitors, headphones and camera parts. Surrounding him are the fellow […]
Read more »Expo Highlights the Perspectives of Young Men of Color & Grassroots Programs Helping them Thrive
by: The Skillman Foundation | Sep. 25th, 2017 In Their Words, a photo exhibition and interactive installation in downtown Detroit offers a glimpse into the lives of several local young men of color and introduce four grassroots organizations that are creating pathways to support these young people’s talents and aspirations. The expo is the capstone […]
Read more »Foundation adds youth development expert to education team
by: Natalie Fotias | Sep. 17th, 2017 Terry Whitfield has joined the Skillman Foundation as a program officer, supporting the Foundation’s education work. Whitfield brings more than a decade of experience in youth development (out-of-school programs for youth) and parent engagement, focusing on diverse populations and communities. Most recently, Whitfield served as a project coordinator for Southwest […]
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