The Detroit News – Jennifer Chambers
“Jewell Jones has few memories of his time as a preschooler at Head Start: climbing on the play-scape, riding a bike, nap time, snacks. Yet at 19, Jones credits the school readiness program for young children from low-income families with putting him on the track to success today…Nearly 31 million Americans have attended Head Start since its inception 49 years ago, according to the National Head Start Association. Those ranks will increase in Michigan and across the nation under a $1 billion public-private investment into the program…The Troy-based Kresge Foundation has committed $20 million over five years to build out a high-quality early childhood development system in Detroit…”Kresge wants Detroit’s children – all children – to succeed in school and life,” says Rip Rapson, Kresge’s president and chief executive officer. “Investments in early childhood education are critically important to our youngest learners and their families. Well-prepared youngsters excel academically, are healthier and contribute more fully to society and the economic mainstream.””(more)