DTE Energy Foundation is leading up an initiative this summer to create 500 jobs for young people, primarily in Detroit.
The downtown Detroit-based foundation made a $750,000 commitment, which includes a $500,000 grant to the
Grow Detroit's Young Talent program. That is the largest private donation toward its fundraising goal of $2 million. The additional $250,000 from the DTE Energy Foundation will be used to enhance Detroit's program and expand to other communities across the state.
"For most of these kids it's their first job," says Karla Hill, vice president of
DTE Energy Foundation. "That has a tremendous impact. Knowing that you're employable and someone took a chance on you is so important."
DTE Energy Foundation plans to work with about 50 community partners to place teens and young adults in jobs. The foundation's $500,000 grant to Grow Detroit will fund nearly 350 jobs in the non-profit's Young Talent program. The summer jobs program begins in July and runs for six weeks. For information, click
here.
DTE Energy Foundation also plans to expand this program outside of the city this year. It will make efforts to grow the jobs initiatives to other economically-challenged areas, like Ypsilanti and Pontiac.
Source: Karla Hill, vice president of DTE Energy Foundation
Writer: Jon Zemke
Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
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