As we have grown in our outreach, we’ve been able to support all kinds of kids in many different ways.  And the rewards have been priceless!

		The Detroit Youth Baseball League has become a national marquee youth athletic program, and for the third year in a row, Detroit’s Junior Boys Division brought home the World Series.   Our thanks to Commissioner Denny Borse, Dan Varner and the folks over at Think Detroit/PAL for your continuing partnership and collaboration, and to KPMG and Major League Baseball for your recognition and support of youth baseball.
		Through funding from Southeast Michigan's groundbreaking Agenda for Change, and funding from the City of Detroit Workforce Development Department, a MichiganWorks! Agency, Orchards launched our Career Connections program to instill the importance of continuing education in young people, provide support in the college and financial aid application process, and a comprehensive employment skills and work readiness program for youth in the City of Detroit and in the child welfare system.  We are proud and honored to have served over 100 youth to date, and to recognize our "graduates" that have successfully gone on to college and part-time work.
		Orchards' Annual Olympics and Field Day brought out the best in our kids and families, as young people got a chance to enjoy outdoor activities, eat some healthy snacks, and win some great raffle items.
		Orchards' Back-to-School Extravaganza was highlighted by a visit from the Detroit Shock, who led youth in a clinic that weaved together skills initiatives with messages about confidence, effort, teamwork and leadership. And the Pistons rounded out the day with generous donations of backpacks that got every kid off on the right foot for the school year!
		Learn-2-Learn has grown to be a symbol of Orchards commitment to the broader community. Reaching out to school administrators, teachers and students in schools in Detroit and surrounding communities in Wayne and Oakland County, the program focuses on learning styles and study habits – transferable skills that support kids’ learning across all subjects and carry over into daily living and work ethic. Our twelve-week curriculum shows youth that school can be fun, stresses the importance of lifelong learning, and provides tangible organization and time management skills.  This program would not be possible without the support of the Charter One Foundation and the Filmer Memorial Charitable Trust.
For further information about our Community Programs, please call 248-258-0440.