LANSING, Mich. — In celebration of its 10th year, Michigan College Access Network invested $100,000 in organizations across the state in support of college access and postsecondary attainment. The 10-10-10 Birthday Tour awarded 10 grants of $10,000 over the course of 10 days.
“When we overturn the barriers preventing many students from accessing postsecondary education, we can empower them to thrive and make a positive impact in their communities—making all of Michigan stronger,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director of MCAN. “Everyone in Michigan deserves this opportunity. That's why our work matters, especially as we continue to work toward Sixty by 30.”
Between Aug. 24 and Sept. 4, MCAN Executive Director Ryan Fewins-Bliss traveled to 10 locations throughout Michigan, from Detroit to West Michigan to the Upper Peninsula, to present checks to these organizations:
Alpena Public Schools (Alpena)
Alpena Public Schools, in partnership with their community, teaches and challenges all students to become lifelong learners and productive citizens.
Detroit Drives Degrees (Detroit)
Detroit Drives Degrees is a collective impact initiative to improve the talent pipeline in the Detroit region with three areas of focus: advancing access to postsecondary opportunities, boosting student success, and retaining local talent while attracting new talent.
Fremont Area Community Foundation (Fremont)
Fremont Area Community Foundation exists to improve the quality of life for all residents of Newaygo County by connecting community needs with the passions of families, businesses, and individuals. Their work is focused in three areas: education, community and economic development, and poverty to prosperity.
Genesee Career & College Access Network (Flint)
Working closely with the Genesee Intermediate School District, the Genesee Career and College Access Network works to improve college and career pipelines for students in Flint and the surrounding areas.
Michigan Department of Corrections (Lansing)
The Michigan Department of Corrections seeks to create a safer Michigan by holding offenders accountable while promoting their success.
Northern Michigan University (Marquette)
Northern Michigan University promotes an active environment to foster strong minds and bodies, inspires innovation and inclusion through community engagement, and develops leaders capable of local and global impact. They strive to be an inclusive community where differences are recognized as assets of the institution, respected attributes of the person, and a valuable part of the university experience.
Refugee Education Center (Kentwood)
The Refugee Education Center supports refugees in their journey to become fully participating members of the West Michigan community. They envision a thriving, multicultural West Michigan community where all have an opportunity to pursue a better future.
St. Clair County Community College (Port Huron)
St. Clair County Community College prepares students for rewarding careers through associate degrees, one-year certificates, and four-year degrees through university partnerships. Their commitment to advancing lifelong learning and meeting community needs is unwavering and contributes greatly to the economic vitality of Michigan and beyond.
West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (Grand Rapids)
The West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to working with all members of the community to increase the economic advancement of Hispanic owned businesses and to assist the professional growth of Hispanic business leaders in West Michigan.
Youth Solutions/Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (Benton Harbor)
The mission of Youth Solutions is to equip young people with the skills to overcome barriers and succeed in education, employment, and in life. They envision a world where every young person is educated, employed, and career-bound. Their Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates program includes valuable dropout prevention, dropout recovery, and school to career resources.
Over the course of 10 days, MCAN awarded 10 grants of $10,000 each in honor of its 10th birthday.