DTE Energy, Skillman Foundation, Quicken Loans, DPSCD and the City of Detroit announce $23 million investment to bridge the d...
April 23 2020 - 11:05AM
A coalition of Detroit’s leading businesses and philanthropic
organizations today announced a plan to place a computer tablet
with high-speed LTE internet connectivity, along with technical
support, into the hands of every Detroit Public Schools Community
District (DPSCD) K-12 student before the end of the school year.
The program, called Connected Futures, is the first step in
addressing digital inequity within the City of Detroit – an issue
that has been exacerbated as students have been forced to learn
from home as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. DPSCD estimates that
90% of the district’s students do not have access to a device and
the Internet.
Businesses, philanthropic organizations and DPSCD have committed
funding for the program over the last three weeks. The first six
months of internet connectivity will be fully subsidized during
which time students will be transitioned to a low-cost, hard-wired
connection.
“When our executive team began prioritizing COVID-19 relief
efforts, the issue of digital inequity for Detroit students rose to
the top,” said DTE Energy President and CEO Jerry Norcia. “We
recognized that we needed to take action urgently to close the
digital divide for these students and provide them with the tools
necessary to thrive in the 21st Century. Today, the Detroit
community commits to our children’s futures. It’s time for us to
level the playing field for the students of Detroit.”
When schools were closed in mid-March and students had to finish
their academic year at home, the district went to great lengths –
including printing lesson packets – to ensure that learning
continued. Regardless of the district’s efforts, the majority of
students could not take advantage of online learning tools or
connect with their teachers through video chat.
“This has been part of our long-term plan for DPSCD for three
years as we have invested in technology at schools, but these
investments did not impact the lack of connectivity at home,” said
Dr. Nikolai Vitti, DPSCD superintendent. “The ability for our
students to access the educational platforms that they use during
the school day from home will elevate their learning year-round,
not just during this crisis. We know that our children perform
exponentially better during the school year, but when they return
in September, they’ve lost much of their progress from the prior
school year. We are sincerely grateful to DTE for leading the
charge on this initiative and for the many funders who have come
forward to support our students.”
Norcia points out that this program will benefit the entire
family, not just the student. Between online job applications and
workforce development opportunities, digital connectivity is a
necessity. While students use the devices and internet connection
to learn, their families will be able to easily access sites that
can help them with everything from applying for financial
assistance to finding a job.
“This entire program, from conception to funding, came together
in less than three weeks,” said Bill Emerson, vice chairman of
Quicken Loans and Rock Holdings, Inc., “This is the power of our
community when we’re faced with a big challenge. I believe this is
a program that will be a catalyst for generations.”
Providing DPSCD students with the tools necessary in a digital
world is only the first step. Funders recognize that this is an
issue for the city’s charter schools as well.
“This is the first tranche that we’re tackling,” said Skillman
Foundation President and CEO Tonya Allen. “DPSCD has the largest
number of Detroit students and we wanted to be sure that we reached
as many children as quickly as possible. But we’re not done. We’re
already planning an expansion of this program to reach more than
36,000 children who attend other K-12 schools in the city. Digital
access has evolved from a nicety to a necessity – and we cannot
afford to let our children down. We invite businesses and other
philanthropic organizations – big and small – to join us in this
ongoing effort to lift up the children of Detroit.”
The program was built with sustainability and accountability at
the forefront. Both DPSCD and DTE have committed a project manager
to this initiative. DPSCD, the City of Detroit, DTE, Quicken Loans
and The Skillman Foundation have created a committee to oversee the
initiative for the long-term – monitoring critical data points,
discussing any issues that may arise and jointly problem
solving.
“When we look back to this time in 10 years, we will see that
this moment changed the trajectory of education in our city,” said
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “We have risen to the challenge of this
pandemic and found a way to forge something positive for our
children. This will be a defining moment of pride in Detroit for
many, many years.”
Connected Futures Partners
- DTE Energy Foundation
- Detroit Public Schools Community District
- Kellogg Foundation
- Quicken Loans
- General Motors
- The Skillman Foundation
Comments from Connected Futures partners
Reverend Wendell Anthony President, Detroit Branch
NAACP
“I still believe in miracles. Despite all the illness, despair
and yes, even death in this current situation, ‘The Village’ has
now come together to inspire new life in the education of our
children through the next generation. This is more than a laptop
and a hookup to the internet today. It represents the opportunity
to stand up and look up towards their future tomorrow. I am
reminded, ‘the darkness of the storm determines the brightness of
the rainbow’ Matshona Dhliwayo. Through this effort, I can
certainly see a rainbow.”
Terry Rhadigan Executive Director, Corporate Giving at
General Motors
“Our thanks to Dr. Vitti and all DPSCD faculty for advocating
for students, especially under these extraordinary circumstances.
We’re pleased to support the Connected Futures initiative through
our work with human-I-T to help ensure students’ time at home is
safe, productive and rewarding.”
Faye Nelson Director of Michigan Programs, W.K. Kellogg
Foundation
“We are proud to collaborate on Connected Futures and its rapid
response to eliminate the digital divide for Detroit’s students. At
the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, children are at the heart of
everything we do but we know that for children to thrive, their
communities need to be equitable places of opportunity. Putting
these essential tools in the hands and households of Detroit
children lets families know we value all of our children and we’re
committed to their learning, growth and development.”
Colleen Rosso
DTE Energy
313.235.5555
Aaron Walker
Rock Ventures
313.530.9589
Natalie Fotias
Skillman Foundation
248.250.2843
Chrystal Wilson
DPSCD
313.212.3039
John Roach
City of Detroit
313.244.7857
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