Help UMHS give an assist to children in need

Last year, UMHS employees donated 355 backpacks to Washtenaw County students in need.

UMHS is once again set to provide area children with the supplies they need to thrive.

The Education Project for Homeless Youth is a grant-funded project of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District that works to ensure students experiencing homelessness or temporary living situations enroll, regularly attend and succeed in school.

UMHS continues to be the Education Project’s largest community donor of school supplies. Please continue this wonderful team effort and help provide local children with the tools they need to further their education.

“Year after year, our health system community steps up to support and invest in the education and well-being of our youth,” said Tony Denton, senior vice president and chief operating officer for UMHS.

Last year, health system employees donated more than 100 cases of school supplies and 355 backpacks, a new record.

“The generosity of UMHS employees is unparalleled,” Denton said. “With our health system’s passion for helping others, we look forward to breaking another record by donating more needed supplies than ever before.”

The Sept.12 AdForum meeting from 8 a.m.-10 a.m. in the Ford Auditorium will serve as the collection point for school-supply contributions. Employees who work off-site are encouraged to coordinate their own collection drives, which can then be picked up. Please review the list of needed items and consider bringing a donation. Your contribution will provide a needed boost toward a successful school year for the children in our community who are most in need.

About the Education Project: The Education Project works closely with all 10 school districts and the public school academies in Washtenaw County, serving students including those living in shelters, motels, temporary foster care placements, cars and abandoned houses, as well as those living temporarily with friends and family. During the 2015-16 school year, the Education Project assisted more than 1,300 children experiencing a homeless or temporary living situation.

If you have questions regarding the collection, please contact Janet Martinez at 734-647-8161 or janford@umich.edu.