Madonna has pledged funding for three Detroit community groups following her recent visit to the city.
The Material Girl grew up in the suburbs of Detroit, and made a visit to the city in early June.
“I was deeply inspired by the efforts of so many people who I met who have dedicated themselves to helping the kids and adults in Detroit elevate themselves from the cycle of poverty,” said Madonna. “I have seen the results their commitment and hard work have already accomplished.”
The three groups she has donated to are the Downtown Youth Boxing Gym, the Detroit Achievement Academy and the Empowerment Plan.
“From meeting the kids at Downtown Youth Boxing Gym who have a 100% high school graduation rate, to seeing how eager the students at the Detroit Achievement Academy are to learn about the arts, to understanding the value of giving homeless women the opportunity to become self-sufficient through The Empowerment Plan, it was obvious to me that I had to get involved and be part of the solution to help Detroit recover,” Madonna said in a statement. “A piece of my heart will always be in Detroit and I’m humbled to be able to give back to my community.”
According to Freep.com, dollar amounts were not disclosed, but the contributions will entail:
• A “significant donation” toward a new facility for the Downtown Youth Boxing Gym, which serves 65 young people with after-school boxing and mentoring.
• Equipment, art supplies and music gear for the Detroit Achievement Academy, a progressive charter school on the city’s northwest side, including iPods, iPads and Smart Boards for classrooms.
• Funding to train three seamstresses at the Empowerment Plan, which tutors homeless women in job skills while creating coats that serve as sleeping bags for the homeless.
