Our Programs
A weekly program is a reoccurring commitment to the community. This is a great way to gain meaningful volunteering and community outreach experience. Volunteering in our weekly programs is not a requirement to be involved in the Detroit Partnership, but it is extremely encouraged! If programs are in-person, the times listed below will account for roughly a 45 minute drive to and from Detroit. The day/time for these sessions will be determined by the Volunteer Coordinator shortly after volunteers have signed up for the semester. You can volunteer for as little as 30 minutes per week if that is all time permits!
Listed below are the Weekly Programs for 2025-2026!
Center for Success (FALL 2025)
The Center for Success is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower Detroit youth to foster academic and personal growth, improve their reading skills, as well as inspire students to reach their true potential. Volunteers (mentors) serve as a strong community role models for the students, while also helping them improve their reading skills. Mentors are given the opportunity to chat, connect, and most importantly, read, with 1-2 students each week, providing assistance with both literacy and life skills. Virtually, sessions are 30-45 minutes, twice a week. The Center for Success is looking for energetic, committed, and passionate volunteers, ready to have fun and make a difference! Because of COVID-19, mentoring will be 100% virtual this year, meaning that mentoring sessions will be conducted twice a week over Zoom rather than in person.
Please contact this program’s Volunteer Coordinators, Ellie Richard, if you have questions about this program or volunteering in one of The Detroit Partnership’s weekly programs.
Volunteer Coordinator
Ellie Richard
Times: TBD
Virtual
Brilliant Detroit (FALL 2025)
In 2015, Brilliant Detroit was created to provide a radically new approach to kindergarten readiness in neighborhoods. Brilliant Detroit homes provide holistic services for kids 0-8 predicated on evidence-based programs around health, family support, and education. Brilliant Detroit, a non-profit that establishes community homes around Detroit to create kid success neighborhoods. Through The Detroit Partnership, you will be paired with students and tutor them in English through literacy games and books. Tutors meet with their students (K-3) for at least one 30-45 minute Zoom session a week, although tutors can sign up for more than one session.
Please contact this program’s Volunteer Coordinator, Tarun Rajesh, if you have questions about this program or volunteering in one of The Detroit Partnership’s weekly programs.
Volunteer Coordinator
Tarun Rajesh
trajesh@umich.edu
Times: TBD
Virtual
SDM2 (FALL 2025)
SDM2 is a community-oriented organization that looks to create positive change in the city of Detroit. They offer mentoring and tutoring services for middle and high school students. Volunteers will need to commit two hours of their time every week to virtual tutoring on either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday between 4:30 and 6:30pm. Tutoring is appointment style, meaning kids will sign up for time slots during your available hours looking to get help on their schoolwork in subjects such as math and/or reading.
Please contact this program’s Volunteer Coordinator, Gwen Mitchell, if you have questions about this program or volunteering in one of The Detroit Partnership’s weekly programs.
Volunteer Coordinators
Gwen Mitchell
@umich.edu
Times: TBD
Virtual
Redford Brightmoor Initiative (FALL 2025)
The Redford Brightmoor Initiative builds community and supports youth and adults to prepare for meaningful employment and service. This organization offers a free store that provides new and gently used clothing, household goods, and books for anyone who needs it. Volunteers will be responsible for preparing the free store, completing tasks such as sorting donations and restocking shelves. This program welcomes consistent and reliable volunteers, and requires a bit of heavy lifting!
Please contact this program’s Volunteer Coordinator, Natalie Selektor, if you have questions about this program or volunteering in one of The Detroit Partnership’s weekly programs.
Volunteer Coordinator
Natalie Selektor
nselekt@umich.edu
Times: TBD
In-person
Downtown Boxing (FALL 2025)
Downtown Boxing Gym Detroit’s (DBG) mission is to nurture Detroit’s young people by creating a space where potential is uplifted and futures are shaped. Here, every youth deserves to be seen, heard, and supported. Through education, athletics, mentorship, and wrap-around intervention, DBG empowers students ages 8-18 (and support alumni through age 25) to be positive, productive members of society. They uphold the principle “Books Before Boxing,” meaning academics are foundational — boxing and athletic training are tools that engage, discipline, and inspire. Rooted in trusted relationships, shared power, and lasting change, DBG stands for doing whatever it takes, for as long as it takes.
Please contact this program’s Volunteer Coordinator, Jane Iscman, if you have questions about this program or volunteering in one of The Detroit Partnership’s weekly programs.
Volunteer Coordinator
Jane Iscman
Times: TBD
Virtual