Detroit Public Schools Foundation Receives $1 Million Gift from Sodexo School Services

DETROIT, MI - Detroit Public Schools Foundation received a $1 million gift from Sodexo School Services to support enrichment programs and activities for Detroit Public Schools and its students, including valuable arts programs and events that showcase outstanding student talent.

“We are extremely fortunate to receive such an exceptionally generous gift from our friends at Sodexo. With these funds, they join us as stakeholders in the future; positively impacting the learning experience of DPS students,” said DPSF President & CEO, Chacona Johnson.

The gift was presented on Tuesday, May 3 at the Ford Performing Arts Auditorium, Detroit School of Arts, 123 Selden Street. Sodexo School Services and its six minority partners are responsible for all custodial, building repair, maintenance, engineering and ground services for DPS.

“Sodexo is proud to be partners with the Detroit Public Schools,” said Sodexo School Services Vice President of Operations, Kwame Watkins. “We know this donation to the Foundation will help support our core mission of promoting student well being, quality environments and improved student achievement.”

"We know that students' participation in extra-curricular activities, like the arts, has a direct impact on their interest in staying in school," said Emergency Manager Robert Bobb. "This gift will help us continue to provide those valuable opportunities for our students and showcase their tremendous talent through events, like the annual Evening of Fine Arts. I have been impressed that the Evening of Fine Arts annual event at the Fox Theater allows our students to perform on a professional stage, and I'm pleased this funding will allow that to continue," Notes Robert Bobb, Emergency Manager for DPS.

The funds will be given over a two-year period beginning in May 2011 and ending in September 2013. The gift will also enable DPSF to continue programs such as An Evening of Fine Arts, held this year on June 9th at Detroit’s Fox Theatre, at 6:30 p.m. The event features dance and music performances by hundreds of DPS students.

An Evening of Fine Arts (EFA), to be held June 9th at Detroit’s Fox Theatre. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., the 41st annual EFA will feature dance and music performances by hundreds of DPS students. DPSF’s partnership with Sodexo will also enable DPSF to support additional enrichment programs benefiting DPS students.

For additional information about the Sodexo gift and other DPSF initiatives, please visit: http://www.detroitpsfoundation.org