One of the best ways to move cities, communities, neighborhoods and individuals forward is through education.

With that in mind the FCA Foundation, the charitable arm of automaker FCA US LLC, has awarded six grants, totaling nearly $900,000, to academic and nonprofit organizations across the U.S. to help students in pre-K through post-secondary schools build the skills and competencies they need to meet their full potential.

Many of the programs focus on programs designed to expand science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills and opportunities among youth.

The following grants were awarded to programs nationwide and also have operations in Michigan and metro Detroit:

• $250,000 to Communities In Schools (CIS): Working directly in more than 2,300 low-income schools in 25 states and the District of Columbia, CIS’ model of Integrated Student Supports keeps the most vulnerable students in school and on the path to graduation. Its school-based staff works hand-in-hand with teachers, school leaders, community partners and families to identify those students’ unique needs and to surround them with a caring network of support. Here is a link to the Communities In School Metro Detroit.
• $265,000 to FIRST in Michigan: Grants will support 76 FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and FIRST Lego League (FLL) teams across the United States, the teams are mostly located in Southeast Michigan. The grant will help students offset the costs of competing, including registration fees, parts and materials and team apparel. Additionally, FCA US employees often donate their time and skills to help mentor students and serve as competition coordinators.
• $200,000 to National College Access Network (NCAN): NCAN promote best practices and builds capacity for college access and success through its support of organizations that help underrepresented middle and high school students aspire to, apply to, enter and succeed in college. It focuses on connecting with educational institutions, nonprofits, government and businesses within the “high school to college pipeline” and identifies best practices, including targeted advising on academic, career choices, college admissions and financial aid, NCAN touches the lives of 2 million students and families each year. Here is link the Michigan College Access Network.
• $50,000 to Winning Futures: Through its Life Skills & Career Readiness Mentoring Program, Warren-based Winning Futures matches at-risk and disadvantaged students with mentors from the metro Detroit business community who help teach the life skills they need to become successful, productive adults. This year alone, Winning Futures expects to serve more than 1,700 students at 11 schools throughout Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.
• $50,000 to Women of Tomorrow: Women of Tomorrow helps at-risk young women in grades 9-12 in Michigan successfully navigate the transition from adolescence to young adulthood through its mentoring program with highly accomplished professional women and scholarship opportunities.The program emphasizes sustained mentoring and supportive peer relationships that extend over three or four years, through each young woman’s entire high school career. Women of Tomorrow currently serves more than 1,200 young women in 53 public high schools throughout Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties.
• $25,000 to Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP): DAPCEP seeks to increase student interest in STEM topics and assist in the academic preparation needed to graduate from high school and succeed in a university-level STEM curriculum. Through its engagement with numerous corporations, public, charter and private schools, and eight colleges and universities, DAPCEP anticipates that its weekend, in-school, after-school and summer programs will reach nearly 8,000 pre-K to 12th grade students.

“At FCA, we believe that education is an essential element in creating strong and sustainable communities,” says Shane Karr, head of external affairs, FCA – North America and president, FCA Foundation. “These grants will help students overcome obstacles, improve academic performance and gain practical skills that will help them succeed and mature into resilient, responsible members of the community.”

The FCA Foundation will provide more than $4 million in funding this year to charitable organizations and initiatives across the United States in areas such as youth development, support for veterans and their families, education and service.

It’s not just about money at FCA. Its US employees are given 18 hours of paid time off each year to volunteer their time and skills to help build strong, resilient communities. There is no better way for a company and its employees to build relationships and partnerships with the communities where they live and work.

Lead photo: Students participate in a DAPCEP activity designed to generate interest in STEAM programs. Photo courtesy DAPCEP

  Communities In Schools (CIS), Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP, FCA Foundation, FCA North America, FIRST in Michigan, helping students in Detroit, Michigan College Access Network, National College Access Network (NCAN, Shane Karr, Winning Futures, Women of Tomorrow