News Release

UDM, Highland Park, MSHDA and Cities of Promise team up for Community Resource Day, March 28; UDM to offer free services

University of Detroit Mercy, in conjunction with the City of Highland Park, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), and Cities of Promise, will offer services related to University programs, schools, departments and clinics free of charge on Community Resource Day, to be held Saturday, March 28 at the Ernest T. Ford Recreation Center, 10 Pitkin (west of Third Street), in Highland Park.

Charles Marske, dean of UDM’s College of Liberal Arts & Education, was instrumental in putting together this unique project with the City of Highland Park. "With such a vibrant past, Highland Park is a great city that has experienced tough times these past few years," said Dean Marske. "We at UDM are so happy to be able to bring together many of our best academics to help coordinate many programs for the City’s residents."

MSHDA, through Cities of Promise, has committed to fund up to $25 million over the next four years toward blight elimination in the eight Cities of Promise— Benton Harbor, Detroit, Flint, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Muskegon Heights, Pontiac and Saginaw.

“The Cities of Promise Initiative launched by Governor Jennifer Granholm a couple of years ago was a commitment to help Michigan cities experiencing high levels of poverty to become vibrant and productive cities once again,” MSHDA Executive Director Keith Molin said. “MSHDA is proud to be a part of the accomplishments made here in Highland Park, and applauds UDM and the city’s deep commitment reflected by today’s Community Resource Day event.”

Complimentary services will be offered from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Local dignitaries such as Highland Park Mayor Hubert Yopp, UDM President Gerard L. Stockhausen, S.J., Highland Park Emergency Financial Manager Arthur Blackwell II, and MSHDA Executive Director Keith Molin, Director of the Governor's Office for Southeast Michigan Kimberly Trent, and Highland Park Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Arthur Carter, will kick off the day with an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. There will also be a raffle with prizes throughout the day.

“We are so very pleased that UDM, the State and MSHDA are providing much needed services to Highland Park residents,” said Mayor Yopp. “This is exactly what we need --- while so many residents are unable to afford the type of legal, dental and educational services for area residents.”

Services offered include:

Counseling Program: Addiction, career exploration, school counseling & Medicaid application completion
Dental School: Oral health education, dental screenings and dental sealant program for eligible children
Education Department: Family literacy including college & academic information
Law Clinic: Assistance and/or referrals with legal problems related to senior issues, immigration, veterans benefits, and criminal and some general legal matters
Nursing School: Information on healthy nutrition, the MI Child Health Plan, and primary health care services available at the University of Detroit Mercy McAuley Health Center
Psychology Clinic: Workshops on coping with grief and loss, coping with violence related trauma and understanding special education testing for kids.

For more information, contact Carla Hogan, City of Highland Park, at 313.252.0050, ext. 227 or Delanda Dixon, UDM College of Liberal Arts & Education, at 313.993.3250.

Release date: March 25, 2009

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