"Know Your Org" is an informational series designed to spotlight some of the wonderful organizations in our community. This month, we are highlighting the Mercy Education Project.
There is an organization in Southwest Detroit dedicated to empowering girls and women through hands-on education.
It was started in 1992 to help young girls with their math and reading skills. It quickly blossomed into helping their mothers and relatives as well. It’s the Mercy Education Project and it’s the perfect organization to feature during Women’s History Month.
“We’re one of the only programs, if not the only one, that serves all females,” says Executive Director Mark Mals. “What attracts many women to our program is that we’re a safe environment where the women can be themselves and they can learn.”
The Mercy Education Project offers two primary programs: a women’s program and a girls’ program. Each program has developed new branches over the years.
The women’s program offers adult basic education, GED preparation and is beginning to introduce some workforce development training. They have some immigrant students who come with zero school experience in their own country, so they have also added an English as a Second Language program.
“The women we serve are coming in testing at about a second to first grade level.” Mark went on to say, “They’re not coming in at the high school level, so they’re not testing as GED ready. We really work with them through our in-person training Monday through Thursday mornings, with an option to tune in via Zoom. Plus, we record all classes so they can either review later or tune in when they can, according to their schedules.”
The girls’ program began as a one-on-one tutoring program focused on reading and math. It has branched off to include an Explorers Club for young girls, grades two through five, where they learn about STEM and participate in hands-on activities.
There’s a Technology Club for middle school girls that teaches skills such as coding and app development. They also offer a college and career readiness program for high school students. Finally, they have started doing camps to keep the girls involved through the summer, which has grown to seven camps.
“These girls are coming to us one, two, sometimes three grade levels behind in reading and math,” Mark explained. “We put them in a one-to-one tutoring program. There are approximately 80 students, so we rely on 80 volunteers from the community, because the volunteer tutor stays with the same girl throughout the academic year, meeting at least once a week.”
It’s more than just tutoring, though. Using the Detroit Bus Company, they pick the girls up from school, bring them to the learning center and give them a full hot dinner. They have community wind-down time before supper, and after, they have one hour of activity time, during which they engage in STEM learning, social-emotional learning and health literacy.
“We don’t turn anyone away. We don’t change anything. We don’t sell anything,” Mark said. “We’re about a $1.4 million operation. We raise all that money through fundraising, government grants, corporate grants, sponsorships, individual giving and our big fundraiser, the Doorway Gala, which happens on May 7 this year.”
The biggest need, though, is for tutors. For every girl they serve, they need a volunteer tutor who’s committed to that year. If necessary, they’ll double up with tutors, but they prefer one-to-one instruction.
Mark started out as a tutor before becoming the Executive Director. So, they do take male tutors, but as he says, “the ideal tutor is a female tutor who can also be a mentor to the young girls who come through the program.”
Being in Southwest Detroit, about 85% of the girls are Latina, with the other 15% being Black. Conversely, the women’s program is about 80% Black, with the rest being Latina or Arabic-speaking women. Lately, their newest group of women joining the program consists of Yemeni immigrants from Hamtramck.
Visit their website to learn more about the Mercy Education Project, to volunteer or to donate.
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