Services to Youth

In partnership with the Detroit Enterprise Academy, the Renaissance (MI) Chapter had a multi-tiered and targeted approach to energize students on attending and graduating from college.  We have an ongoing presence at the school and also hosted multiple career sessions and a full-school HBCU college pep rally and then financially supported students attending an HBCU college tour across multiple schools. 

To support exposure of Detroit Public School students to the Arts when their Arts funding was eliminated, the Renaissance Chapter partnered with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) to directly combat the loss of critical arts in our schools, which has continued in a sustainable and impactful way, including:

  • Sponsoring students for the Civic Youth Ensemble program

  • Sponsoring students to attend the Classical Roots concert, lunch and support fellowship training leading up to the concert

  • Providing volunteer opportunities for Links members to support CYE concerts (3) throughout the year

With the Jalen Rose Academy, the Renaissance Chapter launched the Model United Nations Curriculum at the school.  Students were exposed to disparate cultures, policies and legislative processes to promote awareness and engagement of public policy.

Recognizing the need to mentor and empower our young ladies, Renaissance Chapter members took action to develop Girl Stars! Girl Stars! empowered girls and provided career and professional development and mentoring relationships with chapter members. This exemplary program, operated in partnership with Old Redford Academy in Detroit, equipped students with information, tools and vision to become successful and helped them take the necessary steps to become well-rounded women with an innate desire and ability to achieve their dreams.

Through Girl Stars!, we facilitated workshops focused on health and wellness, educational preparedness, life planning, etiquette, positive relationships and leadership/character building. The program also included homework help sessions, mentoring sessions, internship opportunities and exposure to other professional women during the school’s annual Career Day.