December 2004

When DaimlerChrysler Services invests in the community, it looks for opportunities that will have a significant impact on quality of life.  It’s no wonder, then, that the company supports after-school programming in Detroit.

DaimlerChrysler Services, the automotive finance arm for DaimlerChrysler products in North America, was one of several corporate sponsors of the September 2004 Mayor’s Time After-School Fair at Cobo Hall.  Nearly 7,000 parents and children explored after-school programs sponsored by 230 providers who were at the Fair to demonstrate their offerings – from dance to tutoring to golf and more. 

“We are headquartered in Farmington Hills, which has been ranked as the safest community in the country, due in large part to the wonderful after-school system here,” said Stephan Koller, senior manager of community relations at DaimlerChrysler Services.  “Kids have places to go where they will be stimulated, challenged and directed.  We feel that after-school opportunities are a good way to stimulate a high quality of life.  When Mayor Kilpatrick created Mayor’s Time, it was very natural for us to get involved, as Detroit is part of our community as well.”

The Mayor’s Time Fair has become a Detroit tradition – this was the third annual event – and a vital mechanism to connect young people and programs. 

“Personally, I was excited see the links being made at the Fair between so many groups with such an exciting array of programs, and the kids and families who haven’t known where to find good opportunities,” said Koller.  “The Fair is a forum for programs and kids to find each other, and for providers to get to know other providers and partner in new ways.  It’s a win-win all around.”

The After-School Fairs have helped fill thousands of vacancies in after-school programs around the city, according to Nicole Hill, the Fair’s coordinator. 

“Children are the heart of our society,” said Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick when opening the Fair.  “The City of Detroit must work toward offering our children the best in educational and recreational opportunities, not just through school, but after-school as well.”

The Fair is one component of Mayor’s Time, a comprehensive, collaborative initiative that focuses on improving the overall development of Detroit’s young people.  Concentrating on the hours of 3 to 8 p.m., Mayor’s Time pursues its goal of enrolling at least 50 percent of Detroit’s school-aged children in after-school programs.  Mayor’s Time does not run after-school programs; it works to expand the entire system by:

• Implementing an After-School Investment Strategy to acquire sustainable funding for after-school programming;
   
• Educating parents and youth of the benefits of after-school participation;
   
• Building partnerships with after-school providers to expand their capacity and remove barriers to participation in programs.

“We seek to enhance the quantity and quality of accessible after-school programs,” said Grenaé Dudley, Ph.D., executive director of Mayor’s Time.  “Research shows that much youth violence, substance abuse and early sexual activity take place between the often-unstructured after-school hours of 3 to 8 p.m.  Studies also demonstrate that youth who participate in after-school programs are more likely to attend and graduate from school, do better in academic subject areas and have increased self esteem.”

Mayor’s Time was formerly known as The Youth Connection, which began in 1996 with funding from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.  The Detroit effort is one of five campaigns in U.S. cities that comprise the Foundation’s Urban Health Initiative.  When Mayor Kilpatrick was elected in 2002 with the well being of children as a top priority, he and The Youth Connection joined forces to create Mayor’s Time as a new 501(c)(3) organization. 

Wayne County Probate Judge Freddie Burton, Jr. and Nancy Schlichting, President and CEO of Henry Ford Health System, are co-chairs of the Board of Trustees for Mayor’s Time.

Corporate and foundation sponsors of the Fair include:

AAA of Michigan                                          Farmer Jack Supermarkets
Charter One Bank                                      Ford Foundation Fund
Coca-Cola                                                  Gibson School for the Gifted
Colgate-Palmolive                                      Islands of the Bahamas
Comerica Bank                                           McDonald’s
Community Foundation of SE Michigan      Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Compuware                                               Skillman Foundation
DaimlerChrysler Services                           Spirit Airlines
EDS Corporation                                        Target

“Resources invested in the Fair are invaluable, and we are grateful for all the support,” said Dudley.  “About 7,000 people attended the Fair, and nearly 9,500 youth were registered in programs on the spot, as parents signed up children who were not in attendance and even signed up neighbors’ children.

To have 9,500 youth registered into after-school programs in one day – that really helps us move the needle toward that tipping point of making a big impact.”

(For more information on this website about Mayor’s Time, click here.  For more articles on this website about after-school programming, click here.)