Five years ago, the General Motors Foundation provided a $27.1-million grant to the United Way for Southeast Michigan to help improve graduation rates at seven Detroit-area high schools, collectively known as “The Network of Excellence.”
Today, GM and the United Way are celebrating the success of the “Network of Excellence”: graduation rates have improved from 50 percent to nearly 80 percent.
In addition to school support, funds from the grant also help sustain 65 Early Learning Centers, with nearly 20 focusing on Detroit’s most challenged neighborhoods.
“Through this initiative, we have been able to take major steps in turning around these schools from dropout factories,” said Mark Reuss, Executive Vice President of GM Global Product Development and Global Purchasing and Supply Chain.
“The investment of not just dollars, but also so many hours from our employees, has created a culture which fosters education. This is a shining example of what can happen when a company commits to a cause,” said the executive.
The seven Detroit-area high schools that are part of the “GM Network of Excellence” include: Central Collegiate Academy High School, East Detroit High School, Hamtramck High School, Harper Woods High School, Henry Ford High School, Madison High School, and River Rouge New Tech International High School.
The five-year grant is the largest in the history of the GM Foundation.
Congratulations to all the graduates!
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