MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 8, 2009

For More Information:
Rebecca Martusewicz, 734-730-7359 or rmartusew@emich.edu

Detroit students teaming with homeless to turn old tires into new hope
Kids’ innovative ‘green’ project with Eastern Michigan University, Hope of Detroit Academy, Cass Community Social Services transforms scrap rubber into doormats

WHO: 22 seventh-grade students and teachers from Hope Detroit Academy are partnering with EMU educators, Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision, Cass Community Social Services staff and local homeless volunteers

WHAT: Collecting scrap tires from the neighborhood where the school is located in SW Detroit and taking them to Cass Community Social Services for conversion into new residential doormats (Cass provides training and jobs to homeless clients they serve by teaching them the conversion process)

WHY: The project is part of the Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative (www.glstewardshiporg) and Southeast Michigan Stewardship Coalition to improve K-12 education and protect the environment by having elementary, middle and high school students use “place-based learning” to study ecology and community issues

WHEN: 8:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (noon) Tuesday, May 12

WHERE: Intersection Hope Detroit Academy, 4443 N. Campbell, and east of Livernois Avenue